More corporations are choosing to relocate their headquarters to Dallas-Fort Worth than any other place in the United States.
A recent analysis by commercial real estate services company CBRE reveals DFW was the No. 1 metro for corporate headquarters relocations from 2018 to 2024. In those six years, the area attracted 100 new corporate headquarters.
DFW is followed by Austin (81 relocations), Nashville (35), Houston and Phoenix (31 each), and Denver (23).
CBRE’s list encompasses public announcements from companies across various sizes and industries about relocating their corporate headquarters within the U.S. According to the study, reasons cited by companies for moving their headquarters include:
- Access to lower taxes
- Availability of tax incentives
- Proximity to key markets
- Ability to support hybrid work
“Corporations now view headquarters locations as strategic assets, allowing for adaptability and faster reaction to market changes,” said CBRE.
Among the high-profile companies that moved their headquarters to the Dallas area from 2018 to 2024 are:
- Charles Schwab financial services company
- AECOM construction firm
- McKesson healthcare company
Notably, CBRE itself moved its global HQ from San Francisco to Dallas in 2020.
In February, Yum! Brands revealed it would relocate the global fried chicken chain KFC from its current headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky to Plano. The latest relocation announcement came June 19, when California-based hair care brand John Paul Mitchell Systems said it would move its headquarters to the Dallas area.
According to CBRE, California (particularly the San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles areas) lost the most corporate HQs in 2024, with 17 companies announcing relocations — 12 of them to Texas. Also last year, Texas gained nearly half of all state-to-state relocations.
In March, Site Selection magazine awarded Texas its 2024 Governor’s Cup, resulting in 13 consecutive wins for the state with the most corporate relocations and expansions.
CBRE explained that the trend of corporate HQ relocations reflects the desire of companies to seek new environments to support their goals and workforce needs.
“Ultimately, companies are seeking to establish themselves in locations with potential for long-term success and profitability,” CBRE said.
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This story originally appeared on our sister site, InnovationMap.
