Coyote Drive-In Announces Plans to Relocate in Texas

The Fort Worth theater plans to reopen at a new site after closing to accommodate a local canal and park infrastructure project.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Coyote Drive-In Announces Plans to Relocate in Texas

Live Poll

Should local governments prioritize saving nostalgic entertainment venues over implementing new urban redevelopment projects?

The Coyote Drive-In in Fort Worth has officially confirmed plans to relocate after shuttering its 14-year operation to clear land for a new canal and park system. Owners have secured key equipment in storage as they look for a new site in or near the city.

Why it matters

For small business owners, the move highlights the vulnerability of legacy attractions to urban redevelopment projects that prioritize infrastructure like parks over existing commercial land use. The theater now faces the logistical hurdle of securing a new site that can accommodate specific drive-in requirements.

The theater operated for 14 years before closing to make way for municipal development. There are currently only 14 active drive-in theaters in Texas, a significant decline from the historical state peak of 400.

The players

Coyote Drive-In

A long-standing Fort Worth outdoor entertainment venue that operated for 14 years.

Paul Weber

Grounds supervisor for the Coyote Drive-In who confirmed the theater's intention to relocate.

The details

To facilitate the future move, management has dismantled and stored all essential theater projectors and signage. The business is now managing the transition period after holding its final screening on Sept. 7 to satisfy land requirements for the planned park and canal infrastructure project.

Sept. 7, 2026: The Coyote Drive-In held its final screening.
Sept. 11, 2026: Management teased a potential comeback via social media.
Oct. 18, 2026: Grounds supervisor Paul Weber confirmed official relocation plans.

Market Landscape

The Coyote Drive-In relocation follows the established trend of declining drive-in theater prevalence in Texas. The closure marks another instance where large-scale municipal infrastructure projects displace space-intensive entertainment venues.

Operators in space-intensive industries should evaluate their existing lease terms and land-use protections against planned local municipal infrastructure projects. Businesses facing similar displacement should track the theater's upcoming site selection process as a proxy for local real estate availability.

The takeaway

Legacy businesses must monitor local urban planning dockets for new park and canal developments that could require land acquisition. Closely watch the Coyote Drive-In's official website for future announcements regarding their new operating location.