Freedom Boat Club logo

Freedom Boat Club

Membership boat clubs

Investment

$223,500

Initial Franchise Fee

$50,000

Units

431

Growth Rate

+24.2%

Overview About Investment Territories Support Operations Ranking History

Overview

Industry Recreation
Founded 1989
Franchising Since 2000
Parent Company Brunswick Corp.
Leadership Cecil Cohn, President
# of Employees at HQ 64

Units and Growth Chart

About Freedom Boat Club

Freedom Boat Club is a premier boat club that offers a simpler alternative to owning a boat. The company, currently one of the largest and the oldest boat clubs in America, was founded in 1989. Without the confines of having to own a boat, members get to choose the type of boat they want to go out with for the day. Since beginning to franchise in 2000, Freedom Boat Club has grown to over 215 locations in the U.S. It also has an international presence, with a few franchises in Canada and across Europe.

Many times in the past decade, this boat membership club has been recognized as one of the world's most exceptional franchises by Entrepreneur Magazine. In multiple recent years, Freedom Boat Club was ranked in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.

Why You May Want to Start a Freedom Boat Club Franchise

If you are passionate about boating and interested in a fun business opportunity, then you may be at the right place. Freedom Boat Club is no ordinary boat club. By starting this franchise, you join a business with a solid track record, established guidelines, hands-on support, and enough freedom to chart your course. The company has, over the years, built a cult-like following among its customers. This saves you the time and resources necessary to build a customer base from the bottom up.

The company's hassle-free shared asset model makes it a unique franchising opportunity and a top choice among the boating community. To qualify as a franchisee, you will need to have access to a reasonably large body of fresh or saltwater and a population of boating enthusiasts. So, if you live by the lakeside or near the sea, you may be prepared to set sails. 

What Might Make a Freedom Boat Club Franchise A Good Choice?

To be part of the Freedom Boat Club team, you should make sure you’re financially ready for an initial investment that will include a franchise fee and other startup fees. Ongoing fees will include advertising, royalty, or renewal fees. If your net worth and available liquid capital match the brand’s requirements, you may qualify to open a Freedom Boat Club franchise, and you can get started with the initial investment. 

How To Start a Freedom Boat Club Franchise

To begin the process of opening a Freedom Boat Club franchise, fill out and submit a pre-qualification application. The franchisor will carefully review your application, and if you meet the minimum operational and financial requirements, Freedom Boat Club may provide you with a full franchise application. 

Before making any financial commitment or signing an agreement, it is crucial that you perform your due diligence and establish if this is the right opportunity for you. Speak to existing franchisees and direct any questions to the Freedom Boat Club team. 

If you are satisfied that this is the right fit for you, sign the franchise agreement and fulfill the financial requirements. After this, the company will award you with a franchise, after which you can begin your journey as a franchisee with Freedom Boat Club.

Investment Details

Initial Franchise Fee $50,000
Initial Investment $223,500 - $502,500
Net Worth Requirement
Cash Requirement
Royalty Fee 6%
Ad Royalty Fee 0.5%-1%
Technology Fee 0
Term of Agreement 5 years
Is Franchise Term Renewable? Yes
Financing Third Party
Veterans Incentive 10% off franchise fee

Available Territories

Franchising opportunities available in the following regions

United States

Training & Support Programs

Comprehensive training and ongoing support to help you succeed

Training

On the Job Training 12 hours
Classroom Training 37 hours

Ongoing Support

Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Lease Negotiation
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform

Marketing Support

Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing
Loyalty Program/App

Operations & Requirements

Key operational details and requirements for running this franchise

Is absentee ownership allowed? No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? No
Can this franchise be run part time? No
# of employees required to run 2
Are exclusive territories available? Yes

Ranking History

Freedom Boat Club performance in the Franchise rankings over recent years

Additional Rankings

Curious to know where Freedom Boat Club ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.

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Disclaimer
The information on this page is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation of any particular franchise or business opportunity by Entrepreneur Media. Our listings and rankings are solely research tools you can use to compare opportunities. Entrepreneur stresses that you should always conduct your own independent investigation before investing in a franchise or business opportunity. That should include reviewing the company's legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to former and current franchisees/licensees/dealers.
Updated: December 12th, 2022