BigShots Golf's Springfield location won't be seeing much changes from the $29 million buyout of its parent company by competitor Topgolf, franchisee Tim O'Reilly said.
Carlsbad, California-based Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. purchased competing brand BigShots Golf and some of its locations from Invited Inc. of Dallas, Texas, for about $29 million, according to a company media release Wednesday.
“For us, it’s really not going to change anything, short term,” O'Reilly said by phone on Nov. 2. “They want to place Toptracer technology in our two locations and we kind of welcome that because Topgolf is an amazing company and they have great technology.”
Toptracer is Topgolf's golf ball tracking technology that allows a user to track ball speed, curve, height and hang time, according to its website. It uses a system of cameras throughout the venue and other hardware, as well as proprietary software.
O'Reilly Hospitality Management is the franchisee for the Springfield BigShots, located at 1930 E. Kearney. The company also owns a location in Fort Worth, Texas. The acquisition will not affect any financial terms of the franchising agreement at either location, O'Reilly said.
“We own the location, we own [everything] at the location,” O'Reilly said. “All they did was buy the franchisor rights.”
The deal includes one U.S. location owned by Invited, royalties from three franchised locations and development rights for other potential locations, according to the release. It also includes an agreement with Invited to feature Topgolf Callaway Brands’ products and merchandise at more than 140 of Invited's golf and country clubs.
“This acquisition will benefit all three segments of our business,” Chip Brewer, president and CEO of Topgolf, said in the release. “We are essentially purchasing an additional off-course venue and the royalty stream from three franchise venues.”
No additional locations in Springfield
O'Reilly said his company has no plans to open a second BigShots Golf Springfield location.
“I think Springfield is definitely a one-location city for sure, if you look at the demographics,” O'Reilly said.
However, O'Reilly said they are looking for a potential third location (in addition to the Springfield and Fort Worth venues) somewhere else in the United States. The timeline for that expansion is still up in the air, he said.
“We have targets on our radar, but it's kind of a different day [after the acquisition],” O'Reilly said. “We're going to have to get to know Topgolf in this capacity better, and get to know their strategy and see how we can work together.”
For now, BigShots will focus on food and service at its Springfield location, O'Reilly said.
“We hope to continue to develop our menu and continue to get better,” O'Reilly said. “We’ll try to use some of the experience and knowledge that Topgolf has to make our location that much better.”
