Six Flags is leaving Charlotte for Texas just three years after moving its corporate headquarters to the Queen City. The announcement comes as the Carowinds owner faces falling attendance, major financial losses, and recent setbacks at its Charlotte-area park.
Earlier this month, Six Flags reported a $203 million second-quarter loss as attendance declined. About one million fewer guests visited its reduced portfolio of parks.
Meanwhile Carowinds’ flagship coaster, Fury 325, recently closed because of foundation issues.
However, Six Flags did assure the public that its decision to pull its headquarters out of Charlotte won’t reflect our city’s biggest attraction. The company plans to remain a major regional employer through Carowinds and Carolina Harbor.
Carowinds is also preparing to open Rip Roarin’ Falls in 2027, continuing investment at the Charlotte-area amusement park.
Six Flags says moving executives to Arlington will place leadership closer to its five Texas properties.
“The decision to return the Company’s headquarters to Arlington is a continuation of our efforts to evolve the organization and enhance operational efficiency,” said Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly in a press release. “After an extensive review, we determined that concentrating our personnel, processes, and decision-making in our Arlington office, where a portion of Six Flags corporate employees are located, is the best path forward for the Company. Bringing our corporate team together in the office will enhance collaboration across functions, strengthen our culture, and improve coordination among our new executive leaders as we further align our organization around our key strategic priorities and long-term vision.”
For Charlotte, the decision eliminates a major corporate headquarters after a relatively short stay. However, Carowinds will remain one of Six Flags’ key attractions and a major presence in the region.
