MUMBAI: Antonio Bautista has made a career out of taking American leisure and dining concepts to the world. From launching Hard Rock outlets in frontier markets to fine-tuning global operations at Fogo de Chão, the trilingual executive has opened more than 100 venues across six continents and overseen P&Ls north of $500m. Now, as chief international development officer at Dave & Buster’s, he is steering the arcade-and-dining chain’s most ambitious push yet, a 37-site global pipeline with flagship projects in India, Australia, Mexico and beyond.
But Bautista is not merely a dealmaker. A strategist with a builder’s mindset, he has spent as much time creating franchise support systems and operational blueprints as signing expansion contracts. He thrives in fast-paced, cross-cultural environments, bringing clarity and structure to sprawling growth plans. Increasingly, he sees AI as a quiet force shaping the industry, a tool to simplify operations, boost productivity and give franchise partners the confidence to scale.
In conversation with Indiantelevision.com’s Omkar Walunj, Bautista reflects on Dave & Buster’s launch of its latest arcade in Infinity Mall in Mumbai’s Andheri suburb, his partnership with the Malpani group, from where he sees the company’s growth urge coming, and the lessons of blending brand consistency with local flavour. Excerpts from the interview.
On why India was chosen as the next big international market.
I think the answer is what is there that is not attractive about India for any international investor? You are the fourth largest economy in the world with an incredibly rapid growing middle class where all the research indicates that disposable income allocated to entertainment continues to increase. So, from our perspective, it was not a matter of if but a matter of ‘when.’ And ‘when’ was defined by having found the perfect partner and we have found the perfect partner in the Malpani Group.
On the US brand elements that were retained and what was adapted for Indian tastes.
Thank you. Well, I mean the four pillars are always there. Eat, drink, play, watch. What we’ve done with the eat, for instance, around 33 per cent of our menu is local. We’ve also adjusted our cocktails to the local consumer. The games have been designed to attract young adults and families alike. We have introduced bowling that is almost not seen in India. Nitro light bowling. And our viewing takes into account that the audience likes other sports. For instance, one of the most successful viewing days was the cricket match between your Mumbai team and your Bangalore team. We televised it in our store in Bangalore and we were absolutely packed. So, there it is, we would probably be not be showing cricket at that level in the United States, but here of course we do. So, we’ve customised the brand to what we think resonates with the local consumer, but we’ve maintained its integrity and the authenticity.
On the role that India will play in the brand’s global growth strategy over the next five years.
I think India will probably be one of the largest franchise networks outside the US. That would be the logical conclusion given the size of the country and the ambition of our partners in terms of accelerated growth and pipeline ahead of us. And are there any plans to integrate Indian origin games or esports events or Indian cinema into the experience that we offer? In terms of the watch experience? Absolutely! In terms of the music? Absolutely. Yes, that would be part of the plans for sure.
On the marketing channels digital, experiential, influencer-driven that are resonating most in India.
So far, yes. I think precisely Malpani Group and specifically Shreya Malpaniand her marketing team have an uncanny understanding of the social media channels. And I think when we look at the activity we have through Instagram, through LinkedIn, the way they handle SEO, I think digital is very strong and the response in terms of all the KPIs around social media are very good so far and we are just starting.
On the expansion plans and which cities could see Dave & Buster’s next.
What I have seen is a continuous progression. The country has gotten more modernised, the infrastructures have improved, the younger generations are more and more curious.
You have to think from our perspective, India has always been an incredibly good example of entrepreneurialism. I think most people in the industry, whether it is hospitality, whether it is technology, have demonstrated day in day out that this is a country where business flourishes.It’s a country where people are interested in growth. It’s been phenomenal for me to be part of the Indian business community for the past 20 years.
As I said in my speech, I have learned a lot and I owe a lot of my background in business to my colleagues in India.
