Freedom Boat Club buys largest franchise in network

Freedom Boat Club has acquired the Freedom Boat Club of Tampa Bay franchise operation and territory – the largest territory in the Freedom network.

This acquisition includes all 30 current Tampa Bay-based locations, as well as the rights to expand and build new club locations throughout the territory. Located directly north of the company’s headquarters in Venice, Florida, this acquisition will establish two adjacent corporate-owned club territories with over 50 locations spanning from Crystal River to Marco Island.

“The acquisition of the Tampa Bay business and territory presents a tremendous opportunity to expand our corporate footprint and accelerate growth in one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States. Our members can experience incredible boating both in the Gulf of Mexico and the many freshwater lakes in the area,” says Cecil Cohn, Freedom Boat Club Network’s president. “The Tampa Bay franchise owner has been a longtime partner to Freedom and has done an outstanding job of scaling the business and establishing a talented team committed to remarkable member service.”

Last month, MIN reported that Freedom Boat Club has announced its 350th location in Silkeborg, Denmark – the brand’s first club location in Scandinavia. The news marks the company more than doubling the number of locations in the Freedom Boat Club network since the company was acquired by Brunswick in May 2019.

Freedom Boat Club entered the Tampa Bay market in 2012 under the leadership of former owner, Glenn Bergoffen. Over the past 10 years, the territory has grown to become the largest franchise in the Freedom network.

Freedom, a division of Brunswick Corporation, operates the largest fleet of shared-access recreational boats in the world.

“Becoming a part of the Freedom Boat Club family has been a great experience and I’m excited for the future of the business,” said Bergoffen. “Our top priority has always been to enhance the boating experience for our members, and I am confident that will only continue to grow in the future.”

Freedom Boat Club recently announced the acquisition of its Atlanta-based franchise locations on Lake Lanier and Lake Hartwell. Combined with this latest acquisition, Freedom Boat Club now operates corporate-owned clubs in 13 territories spanning south west Florida; south east Florida; Atlanta, Raleigh; Charleston; Chicago; Milwaukee; Rhode Island; Connecticut; New York City / Long Island; the United Kingdom; and Spain.