If you are looking for information on the The Athlete's Foot franchise business opportunity, The Athlete's Foot franchises or The Athlete's Foot franchising, then you have come to the right place.
From the beginning The Athlete's Foot®, has been pivotal in the way the world buys athletic footwear. We were the world's first franchisor of athletic footwear and for 36 years have been continuously recognized as the world's leading authority on franchising athletic footwear. Always on the forefront of making the most successful franchise even stronger, The Athlete's Foot® is launching exciting new store systems, designs and state-of-the-art technology that will keep us steps ahead of the competition ensuring the future growth of this dynamic Brand.
Robert and David Lando opened the first The Athlete's Foot® store in 1971 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was the first athletic footwear specialty store of its kind in the United States. Their business took off so quickly that soon after, they began franchising The Athlete's Foot® domestically, opening in Oshkosh, Wisconsin in 1972. The Athlete's Foot® was a huge hit and went global in 1978 in Adelaide, Australia. With expansion to over 40 countries to date, The Athlete's Foot® continues to race ahead of the competition in the athletic shoe industry.
In 2006, NexCen Brands, Inc., a public Brand acquisition and management company, acquired The Athlete's Foot® and is continuing to drive the growth of the Brand worldwide through its Branding and marketing expertise, supplier relationships, and global retail franchise management and support team. Throughout its history of growth, The Athlete's Foot® has maintained its high quality Brand image, and continues to innovate in its field as the world leader in athletic footwear franchising.
The information presented may have changed since first published. We recommend that you always verify fees, investment amounts and offers with the business opportunity directly prior to making a decision to invest.
1. What training and ongoing support do you provide?
You want to know what happens after you pay the initial fee. A strong franchisor provides comprehensive pre-opening training, site-selection help, operational playbooks, and continuous assistance with marketing, technology, and supply chains.
2. What is the total initial investment, and did actual startup costs match the estimates in Item 7 of the FDD?
The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) lists estimated startup costs in Item 7, but real-world expenses can run higher. Asking how closely current owners tracked to these estimates reveals if you need extra working capital or if hidden fees exist.
3. How do royalties and local/national marketing fees impact profitability?
You need to understand ongoing financial obligations-such as monthly royalty percentages and ad fund contributions-and evaluate whether the brand value and support justify cutting into your profit margins.
4. What are the common challenges new franchisees face, and how do you help them overcome them?
Transparent franchisors will openly discuss real hurdles like local competition, tight labor markets, or supply chain bottlenecks, and show you the exact playbook or field support they offer to solve them as well as allowing you to speak with other franchisees.
5. How many franchise locations have closed or left the system in the past few years, and why?
High turnover, store closures, or quiet franchise exits are major red flags. This question measures system stability, territory health, and whether the corporate team addresses struggling owners or lets them fail.
