Carter's Inc. (CRI) vs Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (PLAY)

A side-by-side comparison of Carter's Inc. and Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 2, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — CRI vs PLAY

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CRI -52.5% (-7.2%/yr)PLAY -82.7% (-16.1%/yr)CRI compounded faster over this window
50100150200Start $10020182020202220242026$47$17
CRI PLAY

CRI vs PLAY: by the numbers

  • •CRI is the larger company ($1.16B vs $235M market cap).
  • •CRI is profitable (6.55% net margin) while PLAY runs a net loss (-4.26%).
  • •PLAY grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.06% vs -2.54% CAGR).
  • •CRI pays a dividend (3.15% yield), while PLAY is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCRIPLAY
P/E ratio5.75N/A
Forward P/E9.66N/A
P/S ratio0.390.11
P/B ratio1.132.67
EV / EBITDA5.1310.70
FCF yield25.17%N/A

Profitability

MetricCRIPLAY
Gross margin48.60%85.72%
Operating margin9.24%2.88%
Net margin6.55%-4.26%
ROE18.99%-100.80%
ROIC10.17%1.62%

Dividends

MetricCRIPLAY
Dividend yield3.15%N/A
Payout ratio18.21%N/A

Growth (annualized)

MetricCRIPLAY
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-2.54%19.06%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-24.12%N/A
FCF CAGR (5Y)-26.11%N/A
Total return CAGR (5Y)-17.18%-31.17%

Frequently asked

Which has grown faster, CRI or PLAY?
Over the past five years, PLAY grew revenue faster — CRI at a -2.54% CAGR versus PLAY at 19.06%.
Does CRI or PLAY pay a bigger dividend?
CRI pays a dividend (3.15% yield), while PLAY is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Is CRI or PLAY more profitable?
CRI runs the higher net margin — CRI at 6.55% versus PLAY at -4.26%.
How have CRI and PLAY total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CRI delivered -7.06% and PLAY delivered -16.36% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 2, 2026.