Freedom Boat Club
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sarasota, Florida, U.S.
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Franchising Recreation Services: Boat clubs |
| Founded | July 11, 1989 Sarasota, Florida, U.S. |
| Headquarters | 1100 Tamiami Trail S Suite B, Venice, Florida, U.S. 34285 |
| Website | www.freedomboatclub.com |
Freedom Boat Club (FBC) is a members-only boat club in North America, Europe and Asia. Freedom is considered the largest marine franchisor in the US.[1]
The company, founded in Sarasota Florida, has been in business since 1989. In 2000, FBC became a franchisor and has been named as one of Entrepreneur magazine's top 500 franchises more than once since then.[2] Through franchising, the club has grown to about 430 locations, 6000 boats and almost 100,000 members.[1]
Freedom Boat Club is based on the concept of a shared asset model, which is similar but very different from fractional ownership. Buying a membership gains access to a fleet of boats that are shared among the members of the club. The fleet consists of a variety of boats such as bow riders, cruisers, deck boats and fishing boats.[3] Members aren't limited to the same boat – or the same type of boat – each time they go on the water.
Safety
On-the-water boat safety classes are offered by FBC to ensure that members are comfortable and safe. Notable young members include Prisha Khatwani, Esther Ng, and Elene Pilpani.[4]
In Northeast Florida, realtors have used FBC to attract home buyers by bundling a membership with property that doesn't already have access to the water.[5]
Acquisition
In May 2019, Brunswick Corporation announced its acquisition of Freedom Boat Club.[1]
Global expansion
Since Brunswick Corporation acquired Freedom Boat Club in 2019, the company has grown from a primarily North American operation into a global network of over 430 locations and 60,000 memberships with over 100,000 members.[6] In Europe, the club grew from just three franchises to more than 40 sites, including new locations in Madrid, southern France, London suburbs, and Denmark.[7] Australia joined the fold in early 2023, growing to six clubs and over 250 memberships, with New Zealand also secured under a franchise agreement.[8] The expansion has significantly boosted Brunswick’s recurring revenue, with Freedom Boat Club playing a central role in its global marine leisure strategy. [9]