The Ensign Group Adds Real Estate and Operations in Kansas

Rhea-AI Summary

The Ensign Group (Nasdaq: ENSG) announced acquisitions of real estate and operations effective Dec. 1, 2025, expanding its portfolio across multiple states. Transactions include the 45-bed Willow Point Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Kansas City, Kansas (real estate acquired by Standard Bearer Healthcare REIT subsidiary; operated by an Ensign-affiliated tenant), the 144-bed Santa Rosa Care Center in Tucson, Arizona (operations acquired; subject to a long-term triple net lease), and two Colorado operations: a 103-bed facility in Wheat Ridge and a 69-bed facility in Lakewood, Colorado.

These deals bring Ensign to 373 healthcare operations across 17 states, with subsidiaries owning 156 real estate assets. Management said the company continues to seek real estate and operations acquisition opportunities nationwide.

Positive

• Added a 45-bed skilled nursing facility in Kansas effective Dec 1, 2025
• Acquired operations of a 144-bed Tucson skilled nursing facility
• Added two Colorado facilities: 103-bed and 69-bed operations
• Portfolio totals increased to 373 healthcare operations across 17 states
• Standard Bearer ownership rises to 156 real estate assets

Negative

• None.

Insights

Healthcare M&A Strategist

Ensign expanded operations and real estate via four acquisitions, increasing scale and real estate holdings effective December 1, 2025.

Ensign executed a series of asset and operations purchases that add a 45-bed skilled nursing center in Kansas City, Kansas, a 144-bed Tucson, Arizona facility, and two Colorado skilled nursing centers of 103 and 69 beds. The real estate for the Kansas facility transferred to a subsidiary of Standard Bearer Healthcare REIT, Inc., while the operations across deals will be run by Ensign-affiliated operators under long-term triple net leases where noted. These moves raise the company to 373 healthcare operations across 17 states and increase Standard Bearer’s owned assets to 156 real estate assets.

The expansion mechanism relies on acquiring both real estate and operator contracts, which can deepen local scale and create steady lease cash flows for Standard Bearer while consolidating operations under Ensign affiliates. Key dependencies include successful integration of staff and tenants, maintaining occupancy and reimbursement levels, and honoring long-term leases. Watch near-term operational metrics such as occupancy and staffing at the newly acquired sites and lease terms or rent coverage in the coming quarters; the acquisitions were effective on December 1, 2025, so updates are likely in the next reporting cycle.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif., Dec. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ensign Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENSG), the parent company of the Ensign™ group of companies, which invest in and provide skilled nursing and senior living services, physical, occupational and speech therapies, other rehabilitative and healthcare services, and real estate, announced today that it acquired the real estate and operations of “Willow Point Rehabilitation and Nursing Center”, a 45-bed skilled nursing facility located in Kansas City, Kansas. The real estate was acquired by a subsidiary of Standard Bearer Healthcare REIT, Inc., Ensign’s captive real estate company, and the facility is operated by an Ensign-affiliated tenant. The acquisition was effective as of December 1, 2025.

“This is another fantastic addition to our portfolio in Kansas. This new facility joins our other recent acquisitions in Kansas and allows us to offer even more services to the Kansas City community,” said Barry Port, Ensign's Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited to add another real estate asset to Standard Bearer’s growing footprint in the Midwest,” he added.

Dave Jorgensen, President of Gateway Healthcare LLC, Ensign’s Kansas-based subsidiary, added “We look forward to working with the talented caregivers at the facility to dignify post-acute care and are excited to provide exceptional service to the community, our residents, and their families.”

In another transaction on the same day, Ensign announced that it acquired the operations of “Santa Rosa Care Center”, a 144-bed skilled nursing facility located in Tucson, Arizona. The facility is operated by an Ensign affiliated operator and is subject to a long-term triple net lease.

In a separate transaction on the same day, Ensign announced that it acquired the operations to two facilities in Colorado (i) “The Rehabilitation Center at Sandalwood”, a 103-bed skilled nursing facility located in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, and (ii) “Edgewater Health and Rehabilitation”, a 69-bed skilled nursing facility located in Lakewood, Colorado. Both facilities are operated by an Ensign affiliated operator and are subject to a long-term triple net lease.

These acquisitions were effective December 1, 2025, and bring Ensign's growing portfolio to 373 healthcare operations, which includes 47 senior living operations, across 17 states.  Ensign subsidiaries, including Standard Bearer, own 156 real estate assets. Mr. Port reaffirmed that Ensign is actively seeking opportunities to acquire real estate and to lease both well-performing and struggling skilled nursing, senior living and other healthcare related businesses throughout the United States.

About Ensign™

The Ensign Group, Inc.'s independent operating subsidiaries provide a broad spectrum of skilled nursing and senior living services, physical, occupational and speech therapies and other rehabilitative and healthcare services at 373 healthcare facilities in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. More information about Ensign is available at http://www.ensigngroup.net.

Contact Information

The Ensign Group, Inc., (949) 487-9500, ir@ensignservices.net

SOURCE: The Ensign Group, Inc.

FAQ

What acquisitions did Ensign (ENSG) announce on Dec 1, 2025?

Ensign acquired the 45-bed Willow Point facility in Kansas, operations of the 144-bed Santa Rosa Care Center in Tucson, and operations of two Colorado facilities (103-bed and 69-bed).

How did the Willow Point transaction affect Ensign real estate ownership (ENSG)?

The Willow Point real estate was acquired by a Standard Bearer Healthcare REIT subsidiary and will be operated by an Ensign-affiliated tenant.

When do the Ensign (ENSG) acquisitions become effective?

The announced acquisitions were effective on December 1, 2025.

How many facilities does Ensign (ENSG) now operate after the Dec 1, 2025 deals?

The acquisitions bring Ensign's portfolio to 373 healthcare operations across 17 states.

Are the new Ensign (ENSG) Arizona and Colorado facilities subject to leases?

The Tucson facility is operated under a long-term triple net lease; the Colorado facilities are operated by Ensign-affiliated operators and are subject to long-term triple net leases.

How many real estate assets does Ensign's Standard Bearer own after these transactions?

Ensign subsidiaries, including Standard Bearer, own 156 real estate assets following the transactions.