Marketer Spotlight
Matador Gas
Matador Gas discusses its growth strategy, commitment to local service & outlook for the future of the propane industry
Images courtesy of Matador Gas
Matador Gas is committed to providing safe and reliable propane service to the markets it serves in both Texas and Arkansas. Those services include propane delivery, tank installation, cylinder delivery and exchange services for residential and commercial users. The company’s leadership team has over 100 years of combined experience in the industry, and as Matador Gas proclaims on its website, “We’re proud of our history. We’re proud of our people. We’re proud of how we conduct our business and we’re proud of how we serve our customers with clean-burning propane gas.” In the pages ahead, Crystelle Markley, director of marketing at Matador Gas, shares about the company’s history and the purpose it serves in its communities.
Matador Gas Founder Matt Terry with his family
Can you tell us about your company history?
Matador Gas was launched in 2021 as a startup company by propane industry veteran Matt Terry, who previously worked for Mission Gas and Pinnacle Propane. Matt grew up in the propane business with his parents, who owned Mission Gas out of San Antonio, Texas, which is now owned by Matador.
With the backing of private equity group Firmament, Matador was formed to target and acquire well-run propane companies with the intention of maintaining their legacy, increasing profitability and ensuring seamless transitions. Since 2021, Matador has grown significantly, now owning seven brands across Arkansas and Texas and continuing to work to preserve the relationships and service that have defined these businesses for generations.
What is your service area and what types of customers do you serve?
We currently serve markets in Arkansas and Texas in all segments of the industry. Our Texas coverage includes customers in east, south and central Texas, including the greater San Antonio and Austin areas and the Highland Lakes. In Arkansas, we reach north-central, central and northwest Arkansas, including the greater Little Rock and Fayetteville areas.
How would you describe your company’s mission and values, and how do you put those into practice with your customers?
At Matador, our purpose is to safely and passionately fuel our customers’ and employees’ lives. We believe selling propane is more than delivering fuel; it’s about earning trust and taking care of people. Our values drive how we work every day. We do what we say we will do and take pride in it, make safety a priority, continuously look for ways to improve and put our customers and employees first. We bring those values to life through safe, dependable service, responsive customer care and a commitment to excellence for our staff.
What about your business and its offerings helps you stand out as a marketer in your region?
As Matador grows, we remain focused on preserving the personal relationships and local service our customers know and trust while providing the resources and support needed to continually improve their overall experience. We know that acquisitions in our industry often come with changes that negatively impact both the customers and employees, and we are dedicated to a different approach. There is a reason that some of the most successful businesses in the country have decided to sell to us, and we feel an immense sense of responsibility to stay true to their ways of doing business.
4-T Propane team members help in the aftermath of catastrophic July 4 floods in Texas in 2025.
Can you tell us a story that demonstrates how an employee or multiple employees embody your company values?
One recent example of our values in action came during the devastating July 4 floods [in 2025], which severely impacted the Highland Lakes area of Texas. In the aftermath, that community faced tremendous destruction, with roads blocked by debris, properties damaged and families beginning the overwhelming process of cleaning up and rebuilding along with significant loss of life.
The team at 4-T Propane, one of our Texas companies, quickly recognized they had something that could make a difference. Rather than focusing on getting back to normal business operations, employees put their resources to work helping their neighbors. They used their trucks and equipment to help clear roads and remove debris, making it possible for people to get through the hard-to-reach areas. The team was also working to locate propane tanks and equipment that had been displaced by the floodwaters and helping to address potential safety concerns in the community. But during those first critical days, their priority was simply helping people. In a time of tremendous devastation, they demonstrated that being a propane company means more than providing fuel; it means being part of the community and being willing to show up when others need you most.
What industry trends have impacted Matador Gas the most in recent years?
One of the biggest trends impacting the propane industry in recent years is increasingly unpredictable weather and warmer winter seasons. Because so much propane is used for heating, weather has a direct impact on demand. The challenge is planning for inventory, staffing and resources well in advance without knowing what the winter will ultimately bring.
At the same time, we are seeing the continued growth of electrification and increased competition from alternative energy sources. Electricity’s share of residential heating has steadily increased over the past decade, making it more important than ever for the propane industry to communicate the benefits of propane and demonstrate its value as a reliable, efficient and versatile energy source. This is one of the reasons our executive team is committed to legislative and educational involvement in the propane industry at both the state and national levels.
These trends have reinforced the importance of being adaptable and customer-focused. We concentrate on building strong customer relationships, operating efficiently and continually looking for ways to grow beyond traditional heating demand. We believe the propane industry has a strong future but maintaining that position will require us to continue educating consumers, embracing innovation and making sure propane remains a competitive and dependable energy choice.
Team members of Matador Gas company Texas Star celebrate the retirement of Michael Reed.
What value do you believe propane businesses provide to the public?
Propane businesses provide something that is essential to everyday life: reliable, safe and accessible energy. For many families, farms and businesses, propane is what keeps homes warm, water hot, food cooked and businesses running, often in communities where other energy sources may not be as readily available.
But Matador’s values go beyond the fuel itself. We believe our local brands play an important part in the community, and our customers count on us to be there when they need us, especially during the coldest days of the year or when unexpected needs arise. That creates a level of trust and personal connection that is increasingly rare.
Where do you hope to see the propane industry in the next five to 10 years?
We hope to see propane continue to be recognized as a vital part of America’s energy future, not an energy source of the past. The industry is facing real challenges as electrification continues to expand. We believe it is important to advocate for energy choice and make sure consumers have access to the energy solution that best fits their home, business and community.
Propane offers something that will remain increasingly important in the years ahead: reliability, resiliency and energy independence. As electricity demand continues to grow and the grid faces increasing pressure, propane can provide dependable on-site energy, backup power and an important layer of energy diversity.
Over the next 10 years, we want to see the propane industry continue to innovate, invest and make its voice heard. That means advancing technologies, expanding propane’s role in power generation and resiliency, and educating policymakers and consumers about the benefits of propane. We believe the future of energy should be about choice, not one-size-fits-all solutions. We want propane to remain a leading, trusted and innovative part of that future, and we intend to do our part to help make that happen.
