San Juan Capistrano, California — One of the country’s largest skilled nursing operators just made one of its biggest moves yet.
The Ensign Group announced the acquisition of 17 skilled nursing and senior living facilities across Texas, effective May 1, 2026, in what the company’s CEO described as a deal poised to be “a home run” for its Texas operations. The transaction also included two assisted living facilities in Wisconsin.
The Texas portfolio spans major markets including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Katy, and several other communities across the state. Combined, the facilities add hundreds of beds to Ensign’s already substantial Texas footprint, bringing the company’s total portfolio to 395 healthcare operations across 17 states — including 48 senior living communities.
What makes this deal notable isn’t just the size. The real estate itself was acquired through Standard Bearer Healthcare REIT, Ensign’s captive real estate company, meaning Ensign is locking in ownership of both the operations and the properties. That’s a deliberate, long-term move in a market where separation of real estate and operations has become increasingly common.
“We added a large number of high-quality properties to our already strong presence in a key state for us,” said Barry Port, Ensign’s CEO. “The facility locations are a perfect fit within our existing clusters and markets and further our reach across the state of Texas.”
New facilities, familiar strategy
Andy Ashton, President of Keystone Care, Ensign’s Texas-based subsidiary, emphasized that the company isn’t coming in to blow things up. “We are thrilled to welcome these facilities and their staff, residents, and families into our Texas markets,” he said, adding that Ensign plans to build on each facility’s existing foundation rather than start from scratch.
The acquisition includes newer builds, something Port specifically called out as part of Standard Bearer’s growing real estate strategy. Newer construction generally means fewer deferred maintenance costs, better physical environments for residents, and a stronger competitive position in a tight market.
Texas has long been a growth priority for Ensign. The state’s large senior population, relatively operator-friendly regulatory environment, and growing demand for post-acute care make it an attractive expansion target. This deal accelerates what was already a significant presence in the state.
The move comes as deal activity in skilled nursing has remained elevated despite broader economic uncertainty. As industry reports have noted, Ensign’s first quarter results showed record occupancy and raised guidance — a sign the company is expanding from a position of strength, not desperation.
All 17 Texas facilities will be operated by Ensign-affiliated operators, with transitions effective as of May 1.
