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YouTube’s Dude Perfect Expands in Texas with New Studio Plans
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YouTube’s Dude Perfect Expands in Texas with New Studio Plans

  • BI has announced that Dude Perfect is planning a new studio facility in Texas for YouTube and other creators.
  • Dude Perfect, which has 60 million YouTube subscribers, is expanding its media empire in Frisco.
  • Dallas is emerging as a film hub that will capture 2% of U.S. film and TV jobs in 2023.

Dude Perfect is adding to its expansion in Texas with plans to build a production facility for its flagship YouTube channel and other creators and brands.

Started in 2009, Dude Perfect consists of five individuals: Garrett Hilbert, Tyler Toney, Cody Jones, Coby Cotton and Cory Cotton, who are known for their viral, family-friendly content featuring sports tricks. Headquartered in Frisco, Texas, the company has grown into a sprawling enterprise with more than 60 million YouTube subscribers, as well as a best-selling book, products sold at Walmart, a tour, and a connected TV app.

Hired for the first time Andrew Yaffe, CEO trying to turn the company into a full-fledged media empire. It raised more than $100 million from Highmount Capital earlier this year, and revenue this year is estimated to be over $50 million. Now it’s opening an 80,000-square-foot entertainment center headquartered in Frisco with features like the Dude Perfect museum, mini golf course and restaurants. The 25-person company is hiring and plans to potentially double in size in the next 12 to 18 months.


Andrew Yaffe

Andrew Yaffe, CEO of Dude Perfect.

Andrew Yaffe / The Perfect Dude



Dude Perfect has not previously shared production studio plans. The company describes it as customizable and adaptable for different types of content, and plans to use it to produce its own shows like “Overtime,” a variety series, and high-production videos like a TV series. Recently with fellow YouTuber Mark Rober. In addition, the studio, which is planned to open in 2025 and will be equipped with Samsung technology, is intended to be available to brands, creators and production companies who want to shoot movies in the Dallas area.

“Dude Perfect started in a backyard 15 years ago and evolved from there,” Yaffe said. “What we’re opening up is on a completely different level. Whether it’s creating something in a physical production space or in any professional sports environment, we’ll be able to do it on the field.”

“We’ve never seen this much energy and interest in DFW. Between major corporations, entertainers and athletes, DFW as a market and our new headquarters in particular will be a creative hub,” said Coby Cotton. “By providing world-class facilities to ourselves and others, we can continue to make Dallas a critical home for media and entertainment.”

While Los Angeles remains the dominant entertainment hub for traditional film-based entertainment and the creative economy, lost ground in recent years to markets like Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago. According to May Otis College, Dallas will capture 2% of traditional film and TV jobs in the U.S. in 2023, making it one of the third-largest film markets after Los Angeles and New York, with job rates of 27% and 12% respectively . report on the creative economy. Texas’ 17-year-old film incentive program has put the state in the spotlight Productions like “Yellowstone” and “Friday Night Lights.”

From a sports and creative perspective, it is also home to many major sports teams; Jake Paul and Mike Tyson’s highly anticipated Netflix fight will take place on November 15 in Arlington, Texas.

Big YouTubers like Dude Perfect are increasingly blurring the lines between social media videos and traditional filmed entertainment as YouTube captures more of viewers’ screen time. Amazon just made a statement to agree Along with creator-focused firm Spotter, it offers its customers (including Dude Perfect) opportunities to monetize their content on the e-commerce giant.

Does Dude Perfect need Los Angeles when there are major labels, teams, and talent based in Texas? “We certainly don’t think so,” Yaffe said. “We’ve been based in Texas for 16 years and will be here for as long as we can see into the future. There’s no shortage of opportunities for us here.”