Surf legend Mick Fanning emerges as shareholder in Fritzenberger
He made his name in the surf, but retired triple world champion Mick Fanning is proving himself just as gifted in business, with his latest venture revealed.
QLD Business
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HE’S renowned for his healthy lifestyle, but beer and burgers are helping make millionaire Gold Coast surfing legend Mick Fanning even wealthier.
Fanning has emerged as a partner in burgeoning Brisbane burger chain Fritzenberger, which recently opened its fourth venue, at South Bank.
It’s the latest business venture for Fanning, who late last year sold Coast craft brewery Balter, which he established with partners including fellow surf stars Joel Parkinson, Bede Durbidge and Josh Kerr in 2016, to beer giant Carlton & United Breweries in a deal worth up to $200 million.
Company records reveal that Fanning more than doubled his shareholding in Friztenberger shortly before the Balter sale settled.
The triple world champion, who lives in a beachfront mansion on the southern Gold Coast with partner Breeana Randall and their new baby son Xander, retired from the World Surf League in 2018 but has multiple business interests to set him and his family up for life after surfing.
He is partners with AFL star Nat Fyfe in global surfing accessories and sunglasses company The Leisure Collective, has his own Mick Fanning surfboard line and a Rip Curl surf shop at Coolangatta.
Earlier this year, dog-loving Fanning invested in Aussie start-up Scratch, a healthy dog food business.
Fanning, 39, last year signed a new 10-year contract with Rip Curl, the Torquay-based surfwear giant that has sponsored him since 1998.
Despite having hung up the contest rashie, he maintains lucrative sponsorship deals with the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Red Bull.
Fritzbeger was established by Harajuku Gyoza founders Matthew Bailey, Andrew Jeffreys and Steve Minon in 2016.
The company has venues at South Bank, Petrie Terrace, Wilston and Albany Creek.