Six Flags is beginning the search for a new chief executive, announcing Wednesday morning that current president and CEO Richard Zimmerman will be leaving those positions at the end of 2025.
Zimmerman won’t be departing Six Flags entirely, as he will keep his seat on the company’s board. According to Six Flags’ press release, the CEO search will consider both internal and external candidates.
In a prepared statement, Zimmerman said, “The company has significantly evolved since I first joined what was then Paramount Parks, Inc. in 1987, and it has been an honor to have led such talented teams through critical and transformative periods over the years – not only for our company, but for the entire amusement park industry.”
His transition out of the leadership roles follows the 2024 merger of Six Flags with Cedar Fair — where he had served as president and CEO since 2018 — and comes alongside poor results for the combined company’s second quarter. Six Flags missed financial analysts’ revenue expectations by about $70 million and reported a 4 percent drop in how much each guests spends in the park (called per-capita guest spending.)
Zimmerman said, “The start of the 2025 season, including our second quarter results reported today, fell significantly short of our expectations, a disappointing outcome given the solid progress we achieved post-merger with smart, early-stage initiatives coupled with a very compelling capital program.”
Zimmerman himself has been the target of roller coaster fans’ ire for decisions to suddenly close coasters across the chain since the merger, most notably Six Flags Great Adventure’s Kingda Ka, which was the tallest coaster in the world. The merger is also leading to the confirmed closure of one park — Six Flags America in Maryland — and new coasters have been repeatedly delayed.