Who Owns Budget?
Budget is owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR), a publicly traded vehicle rental company headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey. Founded in Los Angeles in 1958 as a lower-priced competitor to established rental brands, it is the group's value-focused brand, covering Budget car rental and Budget Truck moving services.
Parent Company
Founded
1958
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Who Owns Budget?
- Parent Company: Avis Budget Group, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Brand division
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: CAR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Avis Budget Group, Inc. | Brand division |
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History of Budget
- Founded: 1958
- Founders: Morris Mirkin, Julius Lederer
Morris Mirkin and Julius Lederer founded Budget Rent a Car in Los Angeles in 1958, pricing below incumbent rental companies, hence the name. The value positioning took hold, and Budget grew into a national airport and local rental brand.
Ford Motor Company acquired Budget Group in 1997, integrating it with automotive operations before selling to Cendant in 2002. The Cendant era paired Budget with Avis, and the 2006 spin-off formalized the dual-brand structure that defines Avis Budget Group today.
Budget Truck Rental, the moving truck line, gives the brand a second life in a different market, competing with U-Haul and Penske for DIY movers at thousands of locations.
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About Avis Budget Group, Inc.
What brands does Avis Budget own?
Avis, Budget, Budget Truck, Zipcar, and Payless, operating across about 180 countries.
Is Avis Budget publicly traded?
Yes. It trades on NASDAQ under ticker CAR and has been independent since the 2006 Cendant spin-off.
Does Avis own Zipcar?
Yes. Avis Budget Group acquired Zipcar in 2013 for approximately $500 million.
Who is the CEO of Avis Budget?
Joe Ferraro, a longtime company executive, has been CEO since June 2025.
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Where is Avis Budget headquartered?
Parsippany, New Jersey, USA.
- Founded: 2006
- Headquarters: Parsippany, New Jersey, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: CAR
- Revenue: Approximately $11.8 billion (FY2024)
- Employees: Approximately 20,500
Where Is Budget Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Parsippany, New Jersey, USA
Budget Categories & Tags
Brands Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Travel HospitalityApex Car Rentals
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Avis Budget Group's off-airport value car rental brand for New Zealand and Australia, operating about 30 locations for more than 25 years.
car-rentalnew-zealandaustralia
Travel HospitalityAvis
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Premium car rental brand of Avis Budget Group, the NASDAQ-listed company behind Avis, Budget, and Zipcar, operating worldwide since 1946.
car-rentaltravelairport-rental
Travel HospitalityBudget Truck Rental
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Avis Budget Group's consumer and light commercial truck rental brand, formed in 1998 from the Ryder TRS acquisition and operating more than 1,600 US locations.
truck-rentalmovingdiy-moving
Travel HospitalityMaggiore
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Avis Budget Group's Italian car rental brand, founded in 1947 as Italy's first self-drive rental company and acquired in 2015.
car-rentalitalyeurope
Travel HospitalityPayless Car Rental
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Avis Budget Group's deep-value car rental brand, founded in Spokane in 1971 and acquired in 2013, operating about 120 locations across the Americas and Europe.
car-rentalbudget-travelfranchise
Travel HospitalityZipcar
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Car-sharing brand owned by Avis Budget Group since 2013, offering hourly self-serve vehicle access in cities and on university campuses.
car-sharingmobilityurban-transport
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Budget Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Clear value positioning vs premium Avis brand
- +Shared fleet and infrastructure with the group
- +Budget Truck adds the moving market
- +Global franchise network
Considerations
- -Competes against cheaper off-airport upstarts
- -Brand equity weaker than flagship Avis
- -Same fleet cost and residual value exposure
- -Margin pressure in the discount tier
Frequently Asked Questions About Budget
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Sources & Further Reading
Competitors to Budget
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avis Budget Group | USA | 1946 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Avis Budget Group | USA | 1998 | Mass market | United states | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Travel HospitalityAvis
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Premium car rental brand of Avis Budget Group, the NASDAQ-listed company behind Avis, Budget, and Zipcar, operating worldwide since 1946.
car-rentaltravelairport-rental
Travel HospitalityBudget Truck Rental
Owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Avis Budget Group's consumer and light commercial truck rental brand, formed in 1998 from the Ryder TRS acquisition and operating more than 1,600 US locations.
truck-rentalmovingdiy-moving
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Budget competes with 2 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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Independent Alternatives to Budget
Looking for brands with different ownership structures? These similar brands are not owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc., giving you alternative choices that support different corporate structures.
Travel HospitalityHarborside Resort at Atlantis
Owned by Kerzner International Holdings Limited
Villa-style accommodation complex at Atlantis Paradise Island featuring residential-style layouts, full kitchens, and family-friendly amenities across the marina from the main resort.
villa-resortfamily-accommodationmarina-location
Privately Owned
Harborside Resort at Atlantis is privately owned, unlike Budget which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityThe Beach Tower
Owned by Kerzner International Holdings Limited
Former hotel tower at Atlantis Paradise Island that was closed in 2021 and acquired by Pharrell Williams for redevelopment into Somewhere Else hotel.
hotel-towerresort-accommodationbahamas
Privately Owned
The Beach Tower is privately owned, unlike Budget which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityThe Royal Towers
Owned by Kerzner International Holdings Limited
Iconic hotel towers at Atlantis Paradise Island featuring 1,201 rooms and suites, the Bridge Suite, and direct access to Aquaventure water park and marine habitats. Renovated in 2024 as part of a $150 million resort-wide transformation.
luxury-hotelresort-accommodationbahamas
Privately Owned
The Royal Towers is privately owned, unlike Budget which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityAquaventure Waterpark
Owned by Kerzner International Holdings Limited
141-acre water park at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, featuring high-speed slides, river rides, and marine habitat experiences, operated by Brookfield Asset Management.
water-parkresort-attractionbahamas
Privately Owned
Aquaventure Waterpark is privately owned, unlike Budget which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityAtlantis Resorts
Owned by Kerzner International Holdings Limited
Luxury integrated resort brand operating properties in the Bahamas, Dubai, and China under two separate ownership structures, with new resorts announced for the Maldives and Saudi Arabia.
luxury-resortsintegrated-resortshospitality
Privately Owned
Atlantis Resorts is privately owned, unlike Budget which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Travel HospitalityDolphin Cay
Owned by Kerzner International Holdings Limited
14-acre marine habitat and conservation center at Atlantis Paradise Island offering dolphin encounters and marine education programs.
marine-habitatdolphin-encounterconservation
Privately Owned
Dolphin Cay is privately owned, unlike Budget which is under a publicly traded parent company.
Avis Budget Group, Inc. Stock Information
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Jobs at Avis Budget Group, Inc.
Latest News About Budget
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