Freedom Boat Club acquires US franchise operations
Freedom Boat Club has acquired its Savannah (Georgia) and Hilton Head (South Carolina) franchise operations and territories in the southeast US.
Together, these acquisitions represent five locations spanning Savannah and Hilton Head and the rights to build new club locations throughout these premium boating markets.
Freedom Boat Club, a Brunswick Corporation brand, says the acquisitions – combined with the existing company-owned and operated Freedom Boat Club of Greater Charleston and its three locations – are part of the company’s plans for continued expansion across the region.
“The acquisitions of the Savannah and Hilton Head clubs solidify our position in attractive year-round boating communities, establish a platform for accelerated growth, and strengthen synergies within the Brunswick family of brands,” says Cecil Cohn, Freedom Boat Club network’s president. “We look forward to building on the strong foundation set in place by each of the former franchise owners and welcoming our members on the docks to continue delivering remarkable experiences.”
Tom McCarthy launched the Savannah operation in 2005, and Cassius Mullen and Gayle Schaffner led the Hilton Head club since 2015.
This announcement represents the 22nd and 23rd global company-owned territories for Freedom that span locations including Florida, New York, Illinois, Georgia, the United Kingdom, Spain and Australia. In total, Freedom has over 400 global locations, of which more than 30 per cent are company-owned.
Since Brunswick’s acquisition, Freedom Boat Club has grown its footprint by hundreds of locations, with more than 90,000 members across its global network, and more than one-third of its members are women.
Earlier this month, Freedom opened two new locations on Sydney Harbour: Freedom Boat Club Mosman Bay at Mosman Bay Marina and Freedom Boat Club Manly at North Harbour Marina.
