Freedom Boat Club launches new clubs across the country

VENICE, Fla. – Freedom Boat Club recently announced the launch of a dozen new franchise-owned clubs, including west and east coast locations.

Huntington Beach, California is the site of the newest franchise and the second launch for the brand in California over the past 18 months, with the first in San Diego. A grand opening event was held in late June at the club’s Peter’s Landing Marina.

“We were very pleased by the very strong and welcome reception the club is enjoying in the market,” said Freedom Boat Club Franchise Owner-Operator Andrew Hard, a former club member and Florida-based financial advisor. “Our San Diego franchise owners also joined us for this special event and have been equally impressed by the strong interest and membership activity in Southern California.”

Freedom Boat Club President and CEO John Giglio participated in the grand opening festivities.

“It was a very strong event that drew a lot of horsepower to the club,” said Giglio. “Based on the feedback we heard that day from many of the regional leaders, I believe the boating club concept will be highly successful in this market.”

On the east coast, a new franchise debuted in New Smyrna Beach, Florida this June. There are now over 30 FBC franchises in the state of Florida. Bobby Parker of Parker Yacht Sales and son of former Sea Ray dealership owner Roy Parker of Orlando’s Parker Boats, opened the Daytona Beach Freedom Boat Club franchise in 2014 and won the coveted “Rookie of the Year” award. He added this second club location to meet growing member demand.

“New Smyrna Beach is a popular boating destination and several of our Daytona Beach members live in that area and wanted a location closer to home,” Parker said. “Besides attracting more locals, we also believe New Smyrna Beach will be a top draw for the Greater Orlando market whose boaters come to the coast and this area for their boating and fishing activity.”

In 2016, Parker has his eye on Florida’s Palm Coast for continued club expansion.

“Freedom Boat Club is a viable and simple alternative to boat ownership and it meets the needs of many who would otherwise not be on the water,” said Parker. “I’m proud to represent the brand and to provide a high level of service to our members in the markets we serve.”

Other 2015 recently-launched franchise locations include Fort Lauderdale, Stuart and Deerfield Beach, Florida, along with Brick, New Jersey, St. Joseph, Michigan and Huron, Ohio.

“We’re enjoying record franchise and membership growth nationwide,” said Giglio. “From existing club owners like Bobby Parker and others who are developing new clubs, to newcomers in brand new markets like Andrew Hard in California, we’re expecting to reach our corporate franchise 100-club milestone goal within a year.”

Additional new locations confirmed to open either later this summer or for the 2016 season include Lake George, New York, Deep River, Connecticut, along with Miami and a second corporate-club location in Ft. Myers Beach.

“In addition to the new franchise clubs already on the dockets, we have several targeted areas nationwide we’re seeking to develop,” Giglio added. “Interestingly enough, we have also received inquiries from Canada and abroad, so international expansion is likely also in our future.”

For more information, visit freedomboatclub.com or freedomboatclubfranchise.com.