Brunswick Bowling: Franchise Investment Strategy

Bowling is a $10 billion industry, and Brunswick Bowling is a well-known name in the business. Brunswick founder John Moses Brunswick played a significant role in the sport's history by taking bowling out of Victorian parlours and into the public arena. The company has contributed to the global growth of bowling by opening the first bowling centre in Moscow in 1976 and establishing a manufacturing presence worldwide. Brunswick offers a range of products and services designed to ensure the success and profitability of new bowling centres, including state-of-the-art equipment and technology. With bowling's popularity surging globally, franchising with a recognised brand like Brunswick can be a lucrative opportunity for those looking to enter the bowling business.

Brunswick Bowling Franchise Enquiry Form

About Brunswick

Brunswick founder John Moses Brunswick played a crucial role in the history of bowling by building a company that brought games like billiards and bowling out of Victorian parlours and into the public arena. John Brunswick's son-in-law, Moses Bensinger, actively promoted bowling as a participatory sport and helped organise the first American Bowling Congress in 1895, which held its first significant tournament in 1902. The company has since contributed to the global growth of bowling, opening the first bowling centre in Moscow in 1976 and establishing a presence in many countries around the world. Brunswick has been a key player in the bowling industry for decades and is committed to its continued growth and success.

Bowling as a Business Opportunity

Bowling is a thriving industry with a global economic impact, generating $10 billion annually. It is a popular social and group activity, attracting 110 million bowlers each year across 150 countries. Bowling is a versatile business opportunity, catering to a wide range of customers, from corporate events to family outings and social gatherings. It is also a resilient business, typically outperforming other retail businesses during economic downturns. With high margins and low fixed and variable costs, bowling revenue can be highly profitable.

Franchise Benefits

By joining the Brunswick franchise, you will benefit from an established and recognised brand name. This can create a smoother launch for your bowling alley and help attract customers from the beginning. As part of a large franchise, you will have access to state-of-the-art bowling equipment at reduced prices and the support of a dedicated project partner. Brunswick offers tailored solutions and connects you with experienced planners, designers, and contractors to ensure a seamless development process.

Enquiry Details

To learn more about franchising opportunities with Brunswick Bowling, please complete the following details:

• Name: [Your name]
• Contact Information: [Your preferred contact details]
• Location: [Desired location for the bowling centre]
• Experience: [Any relevant business or industry experience]
• Investment: [Your investment capacity and plans]
• Additional Comments: [Any further details or questions]

Once your enquiry form is submitted, a Brunswick representative will contact you to discuss the next steps and provide further assistance.

Brunswick's Global Presence

Brunswick Bowling & Billiards has had a significant impact on the global popularity of bowling. The company was instrumental in taking the game out of fancy Victorian parlours and into the public arena, with founder John Moses Brunswick playing a pivotal role in its evolution. Moses Bensinger, John's son-in-law, shared this vision and actively promoted bowling as a participatory sport. He was instrumental in organising the first American Bowling Congress in 1895 and held the first significant bowling tournament in 1902. This led to the development of the professional game and its global appeal.

Brunswick's products and services are available in various markets, serving customers in over 150 countries. The company's bowling equipment and supplies are manufactured or sourced from facilities in the United States, Hungary, and Mexico. Their bowling products are distributed through a direct sales force in the US and a network of distributors in international markets.

Brunswick's reach extends beyond just bowling and can be seen in their regional headquarters strategically located worldwide. These include offices in Verviers, Belgium; Monterrey, Mexico; Dandenong, Australia; and Dubai, UAE. By establishing these regional bases, Brunswick can better serve its customers by designing, engineering, manufacturing, and distributing products that cater to local needs and preferences.

Brunswick's History

Brunswick Bowling & Billiards was the business segment of Brunswick Corporation, which was founded by John Moses Brunswick in 1845. Brunswick began as a billiards company, with John Brunswick building his first billiards table in his woodworking shop in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company quickly grew and expanded its product line to include other table games such as table tennis, air hockey, and foosball.

In the 1880s, Brunswick entered the bowling business by starting to manufacture wooden lanes, bowling balls, and pins. Moses Bensinger, John Brunswick's son-in-law, played a crucial role in this expansion by actively promoting bowling as a participatory sport. He was also instrumental in organizing the American Bowling Congress in 1895, which held its first significant bowling tournament in 1902.

Brunswick continued to innovate in the bowling industry, introducing the first rubber bowling ball, the Mineralite, in 1906, and later developing the first fully automatic pinsetter in collaboration with the American Machine and Foundry Company (AMF). In the mid-1960s, Brunswick began to directly operate bowling centers, further solidifying its presence in the industry.

Over the years, Brunswick has faced challenges and periods of decline, such as the impact of the Great Depression and overexpansion in the 1960s. However, the company has demonstrated resilience and a commitment to improving both the tenpin game and the experience around it.

In recent decades, Brunswick has continued to be a leader in the bowling industry, establishing a global presence with state-of-the-art facilities and contributing to the sport's global growth. The company has helped create a $10 billion bowling industry, with bowling centers becoming popular venues for corporate events and social gatherings.

Brunswick's Business Model

Brunswick Bowling & Billiards was a business segment of Brunswick Corporation that included three divisions: billiards, bowling equipment and products, and bowling centers. The company was founded by John Moses Brunswick, who played a pivotal role in the evolution of bowling by working to make the game accessible to the public. Over the years, Brunswick has expanded globally and contributed to the growth of bowling as a $10 billion industry. Here is an overview of Brunswick's business model across its divisions:

Billiards Division:

The billiards division was the original business of Brunswick Corporation, established in 1845. John Brunswick built his first billiards table in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the company quickly dominated the U.S. billiards market. In the late 19th century, the company expanded through mergers and added new product lines, including large, ornate bars for saloons and bowling equipment. By the 1880s, Brunswick began manufacturing wooden lanes, bowling balls, and pins.

Bowling Equipment and Products Division:

Brunswick continued to innovate and expand its bowling equipment division. In 1906, Moses Bensinger, John Brunswick's son-in-law, opened a large manufacturing plant in Muskegon, Michigan, which produced revolutionary products like the $20 Mineralite bowling ball. The company also experimented with the idea of an automatic pinsetter, eventually introducing the "Model A" Mechanical Pinsetter in 1949. In 1954, Brunswick formed a joint venture, the Brunswick-Murray Pinsetter Corporation, to develop and market its own automatic pinsetter. Aggressive marketing, credit sales, and suburban expansion led to a boom in bowling centers in the late 1950s.

Bowling Centers Division:

Brunswick began directly operating bowling centers in the mid-1960s. These centers offered bowling alongside various entertainment options, such as laser tag, billiards, video games, and in-house restaurants. In 2007, the company introduced Brunswick Zone XL centers, which were large, smoke-free facilities aimed at families, corporate groups, and special events. At its peak, Brunswick's bowling center division operated 88 centers in the US and Canada. However, in 2014, Brunswick announced its exit from the bowling business, selling its bowling center division to Bowlmor AMF (now Bowlero Corporation) for $270 million. The company completed its exit from the bowling industry in May 2015 with the sale of its bowling equipment and products division.

Today, Brunswick continues to be a leader in the bowling industry, offering a comprehensive network of products and services for new and existing bowling centers. The company provides expertise, market insights, and tailored solutions to ensure the success and profitability of its clients' bowling ventures. Brunswick's dedication to innovation, partnership, and global expansion has solidified its place in the world of bowling.

Brunswick's Bowling Equipment

Brunswick Bowling has been at the forefront of the bowling industry for over 140 years. The company's founder, John Moses Brunswick, played a pivotal role in the sport's history by working to make bowling a public game, moving it beyond the confines of Victorian parlours. Moses Bensinger, John Moses Brunswick's son-in-law, further propelled bowling's popularity by standardising the rules and organising the first American Bowling Congress in 1895, which led to the sport's first major tournament in 1902. This established the foundation for competitive, professional bowling, and its global appeal.

Brunswick has since become a household name in bowling, with a presence in over 150 countries. The company offers a comprehensive range of bowling equipment and supplies, including:

• Bowling Balls: From the Intense Mindset Pro to the Quantum Evo Response Pro, Brunswick provides a wide selection of bowling balls to suit different skill levels and preferences.
• Bowling Bags: Brunswick offers various bowling bags, such as the Edge Triple Tote With Pouch and the Spark Single Tote, to help bowlers conveniently transport their equipment.
• Bowling Shoes: The company designs performance-oriented and stylish bowling shoes for both men and women, ensuring bowlers can look and feel their best on the lanes.
• Bowling Accessories: Brunswick also sells accessories like bowling jerseys, which bowlers can customise to their liking.

In addition to equipment, Brunswick is a leader in providing innovative solutions for bowling centres. Their Sync® Center Operations system is a game-changer, offering a cloud-based, comprehensive management platform that streamlines marketing functions and provides powerful tools for centre operations. Brunswick is also renowned for its reliable pinsetters, addressing the challenges faced by commercial centres while exceeding consumer expectations.

Brunswick's expertise extends beyond equipment and technology. They offer a Build-to-Bowl initiative, providing tailored solutions for those looking to establish or modernise bowling centres. With their extensive experience, Brunswick connects investors and owners with the best planners, designers, and contractors, ensuring timely and cost-effective results.

Brunswick's commitment to the sport and its continuous innovation have solidified its position as the premier full-line, full-service provider in the bowling industry.

Frequently asked questions