If it’s fun, Topgolf’s new CEO wants in.
The Dallas-based “eatertainment” company announced Thursday that it had appointed David McKillips as its new leader, filling a role that had been open for several months.
David McKillips, formerly the CEO of Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company, was appointed the new CEO of Dallas-based Topgolf.
Courtesy of Topgolf
McKillips joins Topgolf after six years as the president and CEO of CEC Entertainment, best known as the parent company of Chuck E. Cheese. Before that, McKillips served in various executive roles at Six Flags and DC Comics, including being the associate publisher of MAD Magazine. He has also held leadership roles at Sea World and Sesame Place, the Sesame Street theme park.
“Topgolf is a brand I’ve long admired; one that brings people together through unforgettable shared experiences no matter their level of interest in the game of golf,” said McKillips in a release. “I’m honored to lead such a talented team that has and continues to expand the Player experience through unrivaled hospitality and innovative sports technology.”
McKillips’ appointment comes after the former Topgolf Callaway Brands spun off Topgolf into its own company through a majority-stake sale to private equity.
Topgolf Callaway Brands had long been looking to separate through a sale or spin-off into separate public companies, but the departure of former CEO Artie Starrs in July delayed the proceedings. Starrs now leads Harley-Davidson.
McKillips’ tenure at Chuck E. Cheese was defined by leading the arcade and pizza company through the COVID pandemic, a global expansion and a financial restructuring.
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He will start in his new role on Monday.
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