Brandwave

How popular isDave & Buster's?

In September 2026, people searched for Dave & Buster's by name about 1.2 million times in the United States, an 18.7% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 39.8% of all United States family entertainment center searches, placing Dave & Buster's first out of six centers. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about family entertainment centers, Dave & Buster's appeared in all answers and was the third most recommended of the six.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Dave & Buster's is the most searched of 6 competitors and the third most recommended in AI answers.

  1. Dave & Buster'sShare of searches 39.8%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  2. TopgolfShare of searches 39.8%Mentioned in 1 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  3. Round1Share of searches 10.2%Mentioned in 3 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  4. PuttshackShare of searches 5.4%Mentioned in 0 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  5. BowleroShare of searches 4.4%Mentioned in 1 of 3 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th

+1 more

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Top family entertainment centers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, Dave & Buster's appeared in all three answers. Dave & Buster's is the third most recommended of the six.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Main Event1st
  2. Round12nd
  3. Dave & Buster's3rd
  4. Topgolf4th
  5. Bowlero5th
  6. Puttshack–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Dave & Buster's3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Round13 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Main Event3 of 3Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Topgolf1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Bowlero1 of 3Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answers
  • Puttshack0 of 3Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answers

See every answer about family entertainment centers

3 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best family entertainment center chain in the US?”

    1. 1Main Event
    2. 2Round1
    3. 3Dave & Buster's

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which chain in the US is best for bowling and arcade games?”

    1. 1Round1
    2. 2Main Event
    3. 3Dave & Buster's
    4. 4Bowlero

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Where should I go for a fun night out with games and food in the US?”

    1. 1Dave & Buster's
    2. 2Main Event
    3. 3Topgolf
    4. 4Round1

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “family entertainment center”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “arcade near me”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 23, 2026.

Which family entertainment centers compete with Dave & Buster's?

Dave & Buster's against family entertainment centers in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for Dave & Buster's, Topgolf, Round1, Puttshack, Bowlero. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthDave & Buster'sTopgolfRound1PuttshackBowleroMain Event
Oct 202536.5%44.6%7.6%4.9%6%0.4%
Nov 202540.1%40.1%8.4%4.4%6.6%0.44%
Dec 202536.2%44.3%7.6%4%7.3%0.52%
Jan 202638.7%38.7%10%4.3%7.8%0.55%
Feb 202640.1%40.1%8.5%4.4%6.6%0.41%
Mar 202636.7%45%7.8%4%6%0.46%
Apr 202637.2%45.4%7.8%4.1%5%0.46%
May 202637.2%45.4%7.8%4.1%5%0.46%
Jun 202632.6%48.8%8.4%4.4%5.4%0.47%
Jul 202636.6%44.7%9.3%4.9%4%0.46%
Aug 202632.9%49.3%8.5%4.4%4.4%0.41%
Sep 202639.8%39.8%10.2%5.4%4.4%0.41%

  1. 1.Dave & Buster's

    39.8%

    Moved from 2nd to 1st. 1.2M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +6.9 points.

  2. 2.Topgolf

    39.8%

    Moved from 1st to 2nd. 1.2M estimated branded searches, -33.3% vs prior month. Share -9.5 points.

  3. 3.Round1

    10.2%

    Held 3rd. 313K estimated branded searches, -0.85% vs prior month. Share +1.7 points.

  4. 4.Puttshack

    5.4%

    Moved from 5th to 4th. 165K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.9 points.

  5. 5.Bowlero

    4.4%

    Moved from 4th to 5th. 135K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  6. 6.Main Event

    0.41%

    Held 6th. 12.5K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between Dave & Buster's and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Dave & Buster's

5 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Dave & Buster's changed in the United States over the last 12 months?

4 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Dave & Buster's in the United States fell from 1.5M to 1.2M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dave & Buster's’ share of searches among family entertainment centers in the United States increased from 36.5% to 39.8%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dave & Buster's’ share of searches among family entertainment centers in the United States peaked at 40.1% in November 2025 and was lowest at 32.6% in June 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dave & Buster's rose from 2nd to 1st among family entertainment centers in the United States.

How did search popularity change for United States family entertainment centers in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Dave & Buster's overtook Topgolf to become the leader among family entertainment centers in the United States, with 39.8% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Puttshack overtook Bowlero to rank 4th among family entertainment centers in the United States, with 5.4% of the searches.

  3. In September 2026, Round1 gained share of searches among family entertainment centers in the United States, from 8.5% to 10.2%.

  4. In September 2026, Topgolf lost share of searches among family entertainment centers in the United States, from 49.3% to 39.8%.

  5. Estimated monthly branded searches for Bowlero in the United States fell 45.1% over 12 measured months, from 246K to 135K in September 2026.

  6. Estimated monthly branded searches for Main Event in the United States fell 24.2% over 12 measured months, from 16.5K to 12.5K in September 2026.

How are Dave & Buster's’ branded searches counted?

1 search term

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Dave & Buster's’ name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • dave and busters

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How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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