The Dinner Detective

What The Dinner Detective does

The Dinner Detective is North America's largest interactive true crime murder mystery dinner show, founded in 2004 by Scott and Kelly O'Brien and operated through Clearly Confused Intertainment Inc. The company runs live theatrical productions at 100+ partner-venue locations across the U.S. and Canada, where professional improv actors perform in plain clothes hidden among audience members, presenting semi-scripted true crime-inspired cases that unfold in real time. The core product combines a multi-course plated dinner with interactive detective mechanics, optional add-on packages (Suspect, Interrogation, Rookie), and a Top Sleuth prize competition. The technology layer is primarily human capital and creative IP — 20+ years of original murder mystery scripts, a recruiting pipeline from top improv institutions (Second City, Improv Olympic, UCB), and a content refresh cadence that delivers a fresh crime scene each night.

The business operates a hybrid direct-to-consumer and B2B model. Public show tickets ($69.95–$89.95 per person depending on market, with $5 advance-purchase discounts) are sold via thedinnerdetective.com, supplemented by gift certificates valid for one year at any location. Private and corporate events — scalable from 30 to 400+ guests and sold through inquiry-based quoting — anchor a second revenue stream, with a marquee enterprise logo list including Disney, Nike, Google, Apple, Coca-Cola, Sony, Ford, Chase, Gucci, Netflix, Hilton, and U.S. military branches. The company has 11–50 corporate employees, contracts with branded hotel venues (Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Crowne Plaza), and reports entertaining 500,000+ guests annually with 10,000+ five-star reviews and a Top 10% TripAdvisor worldwide ranking. No AI/ML technology layer is evident; the franchise model, IP library, and talent sourcing are the primary defensible assets.

Name

The Dinner Detective

Legal name

Clearly Confused Intertainment Inc.

Website

https://thedinnerdetective.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Dinner Detective operates North America's largest interactive true crime murder mystery dinner show, entertaining 500,000+ guests annually across 100+ cities since 2004 through public shows, corporate private events, and gift certificates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Interactive Dinner Theater

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Supper Clubs & Dinner-Theater Restaurants (THAFACAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Gala Dinners & Fundraising Events (Nonprofit/CSR) (MPAGAHAE)

Keywords

• Murder mystery dinner shows
• Interactive dinner theater
• Live immersive entertainment
• Corporate team building events
• True crime entertainment

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Show Tickets: Direct ticket sales for scheduled murder mystery dinner shows at 100+ locations across North America. Tickets include full multi-course plated dinner, wait staff gratuity, interactive show, and Top Sleuth prize package.
2. Private Corporate Events: Customized private murder mystery events for corporate team building, holiday parties, and company celebrations. Scales from 30 to 400+ guests, available on-site at venues or off-site at client locations.
3. Gift Certificates: Gift certificates sold for single admission to public shows, valid for one year from purchase, available at any location
4. Optional Experience Packages: Additional fee packages including Suspect Package (secretly frame a guest), Interrogation Package (guest becomes Prime Suspect), and Rookie Package (guest assists detectives)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Dinner Detective produces and operates live interactive true crime murder mystery dinner shows across 100+ cities in North America, where professional actors hidden in plain clothes among the audience perform a semi-scripted, improv-driven crime scenario while guests enjoy a multi-course dinner. The company also books customized private murder mystery events for corporate team building and private celebrations, plus gift certificates redeemable at any location.

Product overview

The Dinner Detective offers a single unified product—the True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show—augmented by optional add-on packages and private event services. The core experience combines live interactive theater with a multi-course dinner, where professional actors hidden among guests present a modern-day crime story in real time. Add-on packages (Suspect, Interrogation, and Rookie) allow guests to customize their involvement level, while the Top Sleuth Prize creates competition among attendees. The company operates public shows in 100+ cities and offers fully customizable private events for corporate groups and celebrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show North America's largest interactive true crime murder mystery dinner show featuring live actors hidden among audience members. Guests interrogate suspects, follow clues, and solve a comedic crime while enjoying a multi-course dinner. Public shows run year-round in 100+ cities across North America.
• Private Murder Mystery Events Customized private murder mystery events for corporate functions, team building, holiday parties, bachelorette celebrations, and private gatherings. Scalable for groups of 30-400+ guests, with on-site venue hosting or off-site mobile show options.
• Gift Certificates Gift certificates for the murder mystery dinner show experience, valid for one year from purchase and redeemable at any available public show location.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500,000+ guests entertained annually across 100+ cities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Wichita MarriottcoreOthersHost venue for The Dinner Detective Wichita shows. Provides event space, catering services (multi-course dinner including chicken, pork, vegetarian options, and chocolate flourless torte), and free self-parking for guests. Special room rates available for show attendees using corporate code G4421.
• Crowne Plaza Seattle DowntowncoreOthersHost venue for The Dinner Detective Seattle shows. Located at 1113 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101. Provides event space and catering. Parking available at $15.75/day at nearby garages.
• The Gardens at Los Robles GreenscoreOthersHost venue for The Dinner Detective Thousand Oaks shows. Located at 299 S Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91361. Provides event space in Sunset Ballroom and full catering services.
• Hilton Garden Inn WorcestercoreOthersHost venue for The Dinner Detective Worcester shows. Located at 35 Major Taylor Blvd, Worcester, MA 01608. Provides event space and accommodations for guests.
• Hyatt Regency Lisle-NapervillecoreOthersHost venue for The Dinner Detective Western Chicago Suburbs shows. Located at 1400 Corporetum Drive, Lisle, IL 60532. Provides event space for murder mystery dinner shows.
• Second City / Improv Olympic / UCBstrategicTechnology or IntegrationTalent pipeline partnership for recruiting professional improv performers. Actors are recruited from top improv institutions including The Second City, Improv Olympic, and Upright Citizens Brigade.
• AllianzminorOthersOptional ticket insurance provider offered at checkout through Allianz, which may reimburse ticket holders for covered reasons such as illness or emergencies.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves1 record

Direct peers

• The Murder Mystery Company: The Murder Mystery Company operates interactive murder mystery dinner shows for both private events and public ticketed nights across the US. It is the closest direct competitor to The Dinner Detective, offering a similar dinner-plus-mystery format with comparable pricing and corporate event positioning.
• Murder Mystery Mania: Murder Mystery Mania runs public and private murder mystery dinner shows in multiple US cities, often hosted at hotels and restaurants. Directly comparable to The Dinner Detective in format (dinner + immersive mystery), target audience (adult social occasions), and go-to-market (event-based tickets + corporate bookings).
• Tony n' Tina's Wedding: Tony n' Tina's Wedding is an interactive dinner theater production where audiences participate in a staged wedding reception. Comparable as an immersive dinner-theater format targeting similar adult group-entertainment occasions, though focused on wedding comedy rather than mystery.
• Jekyll & Hyde (New York dinner theater): Jekyll & Hyde is a themed dinner theater restaurant in NYC combining immersive set design with costumed actors performing a mystery-themed experience. Comparable to The Dinner Detective as a dinner-plus-theater hybrid targeting the same adult group entertainment segment, though it uses a fixed venue rather than a touring franchise model.
• Shear Madness: Shear Madness is a long-running interactive comedy-mystery theater show with multiple US productions where audience members question actors and determine the ending. Comparable to The Dinner Detective's interactive-mystery-with-audience-participation format, though typically presented in a traditional theater setting without an integrated dinner service.
• Mystery Dinner Playhouse: Mystery Dinner Playhouse is a multi-city interactive murder mystery dinner theater serving the Midwest US market. Directly comparable to The Dinner Detective in offering a public-ticketed interactive murder mystery paired with a meal, targeting similar adult social occasions and group bookings.

Broad incumbents

• Medieval Times: Medieval Times is the largest-scale dinner theater chain in North America, operating 10 castle venues across the US. Comparable to The Dinner Detective as a multi-location dinner theater serving family and group occasions, though its format (jousting tournament) and ownership structure differ from The Dinner Detective's mystery-based franchise model.
• Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre: Beef & Boards is an established dinner theater in Indianapolis combining a buffet meal with Broadway-style musical productions. Comparable as a long-running dinner-plus-live-performance operation targeting similar adult group audiences, though focused on scripted musicals rather than interactive mystery.

Emerging players

• Punchdrunk / Sleep No More: Punchdrunk produces Sleep No More and other immersive theater experiences where audiences explore sets and interact with performers. Comparable as a high-end immersive adult entertainment experience competing for the same group-night-out consumer spend, though at a higher price point and without the dinner component.
• Teatro ZinZanni: Teatro ZinZanni is a dinner-cabaret circus-theater experience combining live performance with multi-course dining in a spiegeltent venue. Comparable to The Dinner Detective as an immersive dinner-plus-live-performance experience targeting adult group occasions and corporate events, though higher-priced and venue-anchored.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0xoMtPQEF8fL2XDY5G3h2g
• Instagraminstagram.com/dinnerdetective
• Xx.com/DinnerDetective
• Facebookfacebook.com/dinnerdetectivetucson
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/san-diego-the-dinner-detective-murder-mystery-show

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Dinner Detective