No, Brunswick bowling centers no longer operate under the Brunswick name. While Brunswick was a prominent name in the bowling industry for decades, its bowling center operations have been sold off and rebranded.
Brunswick Corporation, the original entity, has significantly divested from its direct involvement in bowling and billiards operations over the past decade, focusing instead on other markets.
The Evolution of Brunswick's Bowling and Billiards Divisions
The shift for Brunswick's traditional leisure divisions involved a series of strategic sales and spin-offs, ultimately leading to the phasing out of the Brunswick name in bowling centers and the sale of its billiards line.
Here's a breakdown of the key transitions:
- 2014: The Brunswick bowling centers were sold to Bowlero Corporation, a major player in the bowling industry. This acquisition marked the beginning of the end for Brunswick-branded bowling alleys.
- By 2020: Bowlero Corporation completed the process of phasing out the Brunswick name from the bowling centers it acquired. This means any former Brunswick bowling alleys are now operating under the Bowlero umbrella of brands, such as Bowlero, AMF, or Bowlmor Lanes.
- 2019: The billiards operations, which had been placed within Brunswick's fitness equipment division, were spun off into an independent company called Life Fitness.
- 2022: The Brunswick Billiards product line itself, including pool tables and accessories, was later sold by Life Fitness to Escalade Sports.
This timeline illustrates the complete divestment of Brunswick's direct involvement in both bowling center operations and the manufacturing/sale of billiards products under its own brand.
Key Milestones in Brunswick's Leisure Division Divestment
| Year | Division | Event | Current Status / Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Bowling Centers | Sold | Bowlero Corporation (Brunswick name phased out by 2020) |
| 2019 | Billiards Operations | Spun off into a separate company | Life Fitness |
| 2022 | Brunswick Billiards Product Line | Sold | Escalade Sports |
In essence, while the legacy of Brunswick's contributions to bowling and billiards technology and culture remains, the consumer-facing Brunswick bowling centers and Brunswick Billiards branded products are now under the ownership and operation of other companies.
