Fort Worth, Texas, is the nation’s 11th-largest city, and of the 30 most populous cities, it has grown the fastest since 2020. Capitalizing on this booming market, Southern Botanical, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, recently opened a new branch to serve Fort Worth.
“Fort Worth has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, both in residential and commercial development,” says Lindy Reese, director of strategy and marketing for Southern Botanical. “Many of our existing clients already have properties and projects in the area, so establishing a local branch was a natural next step to better serve them and strengthen our presence in North Texas. It’s also a community that values quality craftsmanship and sustainable landscapes, which aligns perfectly with our mission.”
Researching the Market
Reese says for the past year and a half, they have built up their client base in Fort Worth, transferring key clients from their Dallas and Carrollton branch locations as it made sense to do so. This new branch location will primarily serve commercial and tree care clients across Tarrant County, including areas like Southlake, Aledo, and Arlington. They’ll support select projects in neighboring communities on a case-by-case basis.
“Having a dedicated Fort Worth branch strengthens our ability to respond quickly and provide a personal level of service,” Reese says. “It solidifies Southern Botanical’s position as regional powerhouse with deep local roots.”
She says they separated out their Fort Worth branch on paper prior to establishing a physical location so they could delineate and track resources early on. Southern Botanical studied client demand, operational logistics and workforce availability before launching this branch location.
“We aim for $2,000,000 in recurring revenue and cornerstone clients in place to justify a new location,” Reese says. “This ensures we have the right client base, growth opportunities, and community partnerships to support long-term success.”
Reese says they also took their culture into consideration.
“Ensuring that growth wouldn’t dilute our high standards for quality, safety, and sustainability was a top priority,” she says.
Finding a Location
One challenging aspect of opening a new branch in a fast-growing market was finding the right space. Reese says it took them almost a year working with a commercial realtor to locate a property that met their criteria.
“We needed a location that was both accessible for our crews and close to our clients,” Reese says. “Additionally, ample yard space for vehicles, equipment, and materials to support operations was critical.”
Some of the other features they look for in future branch locations include convenient access to major thoroughfares, secure yard space, and a layout that supports team collaboration.
Reese says they’ve opted to lease the facility initially, which will give them flexibility as they continue to grow their team and client base in the Fort Worth market.
Southern Botanical decided to launch a branch location from scratch rather than acquiring an existing landscape business in the Fort Worth market because they have always prioritized growing from within.
“Expanding organically allows us to maintain the culture, processes, and standards that have defined Southern Botanical for over two decades,” Reese says. “It ensures our clients experience the same level of care and craftsmanship they’ve come to expect from us, and it allows our team members the opportunity to advance their careers.”
Sourcing Team Members
In preparation for this new branch opening, Southern Botanical has spent the last year promoting, training and hiring a core team of seasoned professionals who will anchor the new location.
For instance, the Fort Worth branch manager was selected from their existing management team. Reese says they looked for someone who understands their company culture, has a proven track record in client relations, and can mentor new team members as they expand.
“Investing in our people and giving them opportunities to grow has always been part of our philosophy,” Reese says. “It’s rewarding to see talented team members step into leadership roles as the company grows.”
In addition to promoting internally, the company is actively hiring locally to build out crews and support staff as demand grows. Their Dallas operations will continue to support the new branch as needed.
Reese says this additional location increases their efficiency by reducing travel times, boosts responsiveness for clients and creates new opportunities for team members who want to work closer to home.
“Our teams see this as a milestone that reflects their hard work and dedication,” she says. “It’s also energizing for everyone to see how much client enthusiasm there is for a stronger Fort Worth presence.”
She encourages others who are considering opening additional branch locations to understand the new market they are considering and ensure they can maintain quality while growing.
“Expansion isn’t just about gaining market share,” Reese says. “More importantly, it’s about culture, leadership, and sustaining the standards that made you successful in the first place.”
