James “Buster” Corley, one half of the duo that co-founded the popular Dave & Buster’s adult arcade franchise, has died, according to CNN. He was 72.
“His pioneering spirit and steadfast belief that ‘everybody is somebody’ set the foundation for bringing food and games to millions of Dave & Buster’s guests over the past 40 years,” said a statement made by the company to CNN.
Kate Corley, his daughter, confirmed the death to a local, Dallas news station, WFAA-TV.
“Buster Corley had a stroke four months ago that caused severe damage to the communication and personality part of his brain,” she said. “The family asks for privacy during this time.”
The first Dave & Buster’s was founded in Dallas in 1982. With more than 140 outposts nationwide, the company combines arcades, alcohol and food to create an adult version of Chuck E. Cheese.
California has the most locations of any state in the country with 20. The Bay Area is home to four Dave & Buster’s, in Concord, Fairfield, Daly City and Milpitas.
According to company lore, Corley’s name was placed second on the masthead after losing a coin toss to his co-founder David Corriveau. The two met after operating separate businesses next door to each other in Little Rock, Arkansas. Corley’s restaurant was called “Buster’s” and Corriveau’s saloon and game parlor was called “Cash McCool’s.” They combined their ideas into Dave & Buster’s when they noticed patrons going back and forth between the two businesses.
Corley and Corriveau sold the business to a private equity firm in 2007. In 2014, it became a publicly traded company.
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