Politics & Government

Dave & Buster's Derailed Again by Dearth of Data

The Planning Board on Tuesday night also approved with conditions a development where Ultimate Pizza is now.

Dave & Buster's officials spoke of dress codes, charitable giving, IDs and wristbands, even stroller regulations on Tuesday night.

They did not, however, provide the kind of measurable data on police incidents, guest counts and other topics that the Planning Board expected to consider upon its rescheduled nine-month review, and which members said were a key condition of its special permit.

"We can only react to information we receive and don't receive," Darryl Mikami said. "We have policies, but what are the results of those policies?"

Find out what's happening in Braintreewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mikami and other members had previously requested a "report card" about how Dave & Buster's has operated since it opened in December 2011. They requested details such as how long lines would be dealt with and how many Braintree residents the company had hired part-time and full-time at its location next to the South Shore Plaza.

By the end of the discussion, the board requested again that Dave & Buster's submit a written report which members could examine and use to develop questions.

Find out what's happening in Braintreewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"There really isn't any kind of new information of any value" in the policies presented on Tuesday, member Joseph Reynolds said.

Attorney Andrew Upton pushed back against the criticism, saying that the company met the permit condition with its policy overview. He called board questions "arbitrary and capricious" and said that it should not try to micromanage Dave & Buster's operations.

"The condition asked for an overview. We gave you an overview," Upton said. "Let's roll up our sleeves and talk about this."

But members declined to engage in a back-and-forth about the information they sought, even though Upton offered expertise from the Braintree assistant general manager and a vice president from company headquarters in Dallas.

Officials wanted the data in writing, and said that they have asked for it several times. Last month, Upton and other representatives appeared before the board with a similar overview and were rebuffed for lack of detail. Dave & Buster's was also at Town Hall in June and officials asked then for information on police activity and other issues, Planning Director Christine Stickney said.

At one point, when Upton offered to take questions, Mikami asked what employees would do if there were 50 people lined up outside. The company officials began to pull together an answer, but as they hashed it out, Mikami stopped them.

"Where is your professionalism?" he said. "This should be at your fingertips."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here