Benchmark Sees Q1 Same-Store Sales Inflection for Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (PLAY)

We recently compiled a list of the 12 Cheap Small-Cap Stocks to Invest In Before the Next Breakout. Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. stands fourth on our list of best small-cap stocks.

TheFly reported on January 16 that Benchmark upgraded PLAY from Hold to Buy with a $30 price target. The firm cited a “credible setup” for positive same-store sales in Q1, which would mark the first such inflection in roughly 13 quarters. Benchmark’s conviction is supported by improving food and beverage execution and incremental traffic from the expanded Half Price Games promotion launched on January 4.

Separately, earlier this month, on January 5, Truist Securities analyst Jake Bartlett lowered the price target on Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAY) to $18 from $23 and gave it a Hold rating. Bartlett noted that after a challenging year for restaurants, the outlook for 2026 is mixed, with temporary tailwinds from tax refunds and favorable weather offset by ongoing headwinds from slowing job growth, declining consumer confidence, and commodity inflation.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLAY) is a U.S. restaurant and entertainment company combining full‑service dining, bars, arcade games, and live sports viewing in “Eat Drink Play Watch” venues.

While we acknowledge the potential of PLAY as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 12 Best Multibagger Stocks to Buy Heading into 2026 and 7 Best Rising Tech Stocks to Buy Now.

Disclosure: None.