Dickies Move Follows $4.5 Million Headquarters Investment

Dickies workwear is going from “Howdy, folks!” to “Surf’s up!”

The brand is moving its headquarters from Fort Worth to Costa Mesa, California, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with the city it called home for over 100 years. The move, set to be completed by next May, is expected to impact about 120 local employees, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.

VF Corporation, the parent company of Dickies, has chosen to move the HQ to consolidate operations with its Vans brand, which occupies a 182,000-square foot space at 77 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.

The departure is particularly surprising given Dickies’ recent move from 509 West Vickery to a six-floor lease at 500 Taylor Street, where it invested $4.5 million on renovations. The 65,000-square-foot facility includes archives showcasing 102 years of history.

Mayor Mattie Parker suggested the company will regret leaving a city known for its pro-business environment.

“Great success stories have their roots in Fort Worth, and Dickies is just one example,” Parker said. “While we understand companies are sometimes forced to make difficult budget decisions under new leadership, we think VFC will find — as others have — that Fort Worth, Texas, is ultimately a more competitive place to do business.”

Robert Allen, president of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership, pointed out that Dickies’ move bucks a broader pattern.

“Since 2005, more than 230 companies have left California for Texas, and Fort Worth continues to see exponential growth,” he said.

The decision comes during a challenging period for VF, which is pursuing a $300 million cost-cutting strategy. The relocation will “help us revitalize Dickies so we can carry on the brand’s heritage for years to come,” VF spokesperson Ashley McCormack said. VF insists that Dickies’ roots remain strong in Fort Worth, with local distribution, warehouse and retail operations continuing.

However, for a brand that helped shape the city’s identity, the loss feels deeply personal. From making clothes for Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas to holding naming rights at the $540 million Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, the company’s contributions are woven into the cultural fabric of North Texas.

— Andrew Terrell