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Lucky Strike Entertainment Corp.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 2.3% to $306.9 million: The company reported total revenue of $306.9 million, up 2.3% from $300.1 million in the prior year's second quarter. Source
  • Same store revenue rose 0.3%: Same store revenue was $292.2 million, up 0.3% from $291.2 million a year earlier. Source
  • Event sales turned positive in January: Management said same store Event sales turned positive in January 2026, the first time in nearly two years, and the trend carried into February. Source
  • Operating income fell to $33.3 million: Operating income was $33.3 million, down from $46.9 million. Depreciation and amortization was $30.4 million, against $39.1 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin fell to 25.2%: Adjusted EBITDA was $77.5 million, against $98.8 million, and its margin was 25.2%, against 32.9% a year earlier. Source
  • Fiscal 2026 guidance reaffirmed: Management reaffirmed fiscal 2026 guidance, including total revenue growth of 5% to 9% and adjusted EBITDA of $375M to $415M. Source
  • Summer margin expansion expected: Management said it expects significant margin expansion this summer as non-bowling entertainment assets enter their peak seasons. Source

“We delivered positive same-center sales growth this quarter, marking a clear inflection point for the business,”

Thomas Shannon, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Lucky Strike Entertainment

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total revenue growth Sourcefiscal year 20265% to 9%Kept
Total revenue Sourcefiscal year 2026$1,260M to $1,310MKept
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefiscal year 2026$375M to $415MKept
Quarterly common stock dividend Sourcethird quarter of fiscal year 2026$0.06 per common shareKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: Fiscal 2026 guidance was reaffirmed, not revised, against the guidance given on August 28, 2025. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 2.3% to $306.9 million: The company reported total revenue of $306.9 million, up 2.3% from $300.1 million in the prior year's second quarter. Source
  • Same store revenue rose 0.3%: Same store revenue was $292.2 million, up 0.3% from $291.2 million a year earlier. Source
  • Net loss against prior-year profit: The company reported a net loss of $12.7 million, compared with net income of $28.3 million in the prior-year quarter. Source

Segments, demand and events

  • Bowling revenue rose $3.9 million: Bowling revenue was $142.9 million, up from $139.0 million. Six-month bowling revenue was $268.1 million, against $261.2 million. Source
  • Food and beverage revenue edged higher: Food & beverage revenue was $112.4 million, against $110.9 million. Six-month food & beverage revenue was $208.5 million, against $198.9 million. Source
  • Amusement revenue rose with acquired revenue: Amusement & other revenue was $51.6 million, up from $50.2 million. Acquired revenue was $12.2 million in the quarter, against $2.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Event sales turned positive in January: Management said same store Event sales turned positive in January 2026, the first time in nearly two years, and the trend carried into February. Source
  • Walk-in retail and leagues drove performance: Management attributed performance to sustained strength in walk-in retail and league play, alongside increased marketing spend to build brand awareness. Source

“Looking ahead, we remain focused on profitable same-center growth, margin expansion, and returns-driven investment, and we expect significant margin expansion this summer as our non-bowling entertainment assets enter their peak seasons.”

Thomas Shannon, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Lucky Strike Entertainment

Locations and rebrand progress

  • Location count held at 369: Total locations in operation were 369 as of February 4, 2026, after one water park was acquired and one unprofitable location closed since September 29, 2025. Source
  • Lucky Strike rebrand reached 98 locations: The company reported 98 current Lucky Strike locations, up from 74 in the prior release. Source
  • Acquisitions take 12-18 months to margin: Management said recent acquisitions typically take 12-18 months to reach company-wide margins. Source

Costs and margins

  • Location operating costs rose most: Location operating costs were $99.7 million, against $82.7 million, the largest increase among the location cost lines shown. Source
  • Payroll and food costs also rose: Location payroll and benefit costs were $77.9 million, against $70.9 million. Location food and beverage costs were $24.0 million, against $23.2 million. Source
  • Operating income fell to $33.3 million: Operating income was $33.3 million, down from $46.9 million. Depreciation and amortization was $30.4 million, against $39.1 million. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin fell to 25.2%: Adjusted EBITDA was $77.5 million, against $98.8 million, and its margin was 25.2%, against 32.9% a year earlier. Source
  • Tax moved to expense: Income tax expense was $15.8 million, against a benefit of $11.3 million. Transactional and other advisory costs in the reconciliation were $4.4 million, against $4.0 million. Source

Balance sheet and cash flow

  • Net debt rose to $1.70 billion: Net debt was $1,701.2 million at December 28, 2025, against $1,262.1 million at June 29, 2025, with bank debt and loans of $1,797.1 million. Source
  • Cash and revolver capacity grew: Cash and cash equivalents were $95.9 million. Total cash on hand and revolving borrowing capacity was $411.8 million, with $85.0 million drawn on the revolver. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose in quarter: Operating cash flow was $48.1 million in the quarter, against $38.7 million, and $41.7 million for six months, against $68.1 million. Six-month investing outflows were $354.1 million. Source
  • Capital spending reduced over 18 months: Management said disciplined capital allocation has materially reduced maintenance and growth capital expenditures over the past 18 months, strengthening free cash flow. Source
  • Credit facility refinanced in September 2025: The prior release described a new $1.2 billion term loan and $500 million of 7.25% senior secured notes, both due 2032, used to repay existing debt.

Guidance, dividend and margins ahead

  • Fiscal 2026 guidance reaffirmed: Management reaffirmed fiscal 2026 guidance, including total revenue growth of 5% to 9% and adjusted EBITDA of $375M to $415M. Source
  • Dividend held at six cents: The board declared a $0.06 per common share quarterly dividend for the third quarter of fiscal 2026, unchanged from the prior quarter. Source
  • Summer margin expansion expected: Management said it expects significant margin expansion this summer as non-bowling entertainment assets enter their peak seasons. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 February 2026

  • Summer margin expansion expected: Management expects significant margin expansion this summer as non-bowling entertainment assets enter their peak seasons. Source
  • Dividend payable March 6, 2026: The $0.06 dividend is payable March 6, 2026, to holders of record on February 20, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Total locations in operation Source369
Lucky Strike locations Source98

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Management said recent acquisitions typically take 12-18 months to reach company-wide margins, so acquired locations dilute margins until then. Source
  • Financial: Management said investments during the quarter supported top-line momentum and that it has taken action to align growth with profitability and cash flow. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management reaffirmed the fiscal 2026 guidance given on August 28, 2025. Source
  • Not stated: Management said recent acquisitions typically take 12-18 months to achieve company-wide margins. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.