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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Fleet Feet Franchise

Fleet Feet is a specialty running retailer and the largest franchisor of running specialty stores in the United States, with over 270 community-based stores nationwide. Founded in 1976 in Sacramento, California, and franchising since 1978, the brand built its reputation on expert shoe fitting, personalized service and close ties to local running communities.

Stores sell running and walking footwear, apparel and accessories, with fittings guided by the brand’s proprietary fit id technology, a 3D foot scanner that takes 12 measurements (with pressure mapping in select stores) to match customers to the right products. Beyond retail, each location works as a local hub for group runs, training programs and fitness events that drive repeat visits and word-of-mouth.

Fleet Feet runs an owner-operator model from headquarters in Carrboro, North Carolina. Franchisees receive a protected territory and access to national vendor accounts, and conversions of independent running stores have become the brand’s fastest-growing route to ownership alongside new builds and resales.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Fleet Feet resales available
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Why buy a Fleet Feet Franchise?

Buying a Fleet Feet franchise means stepping into the best-known name in specialty running retail, a category supported by steady consumer interest in fitness, injury prevention and the kind of expert in-person fitting that online sellers struggle to match. The brand’s community-led model of group runs, training programs and local events builds a loyal, repeat customer base that is harder for rivals to displace than transaction-only retail.

Ownership comes with practical advantages: a protected territory of roughly 200,000 population, national vendor account recognition that brings discounts, favorable terms and access to exclusive products, plus the fit id outfitting system as a point of differentiation on the sales floor. As an owner-operator concept, Fleet Feet rewards hands-on local leadership rather than passive investment.

Fleet Feet Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1976

    • Franchising Since

      1978

    • New Startup Cost

      $352,000 – $651,500

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $45,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $10,000

      or 25% Initial Franchise Fee per location; legal expenses only for limited-impact transfers

    • Royalty Fee

      4%

      of Gross Revenue

    • Marketing Fee

      0.25%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      283

    • New Units Opened *

      12

    • Units Transferred *

      4

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $1,672,860

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

Fleet Feet – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Fleet Feet trains owners in its customer experience and fit id outfitting process, daily store operations and POS, marketing, financial and inventory management, and purchasing. A dedicated Fleet Feet coach guides onboarding, and the store support team provides ongoing help across operations, marketing, e-commerce, finance, email marketing and national vendor partnerships, reinforced by yearly national conferences and a network of fellow franchisees. Resale buyers should confirm what transfer training and fit id system access the franchisor provides when ownership of an existing store changes.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Fleet Feet is strictly an owner-operator franchise, with no absentee or investor owners, so it suits hands-on people who want to work the sales floor and lead a team. Strong candidates are community-minded, organized and customer-focused, comfortable recruiting and developing retail staff and building local relationships through running clubs and events. Prior running or retail experience helps but is not required given the brand's structured training; genuine interest in fitness and service matters more than industry background.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Fleet Feet is the largest franchisor of running specialty stores in the United States and has been recognized in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and on Retail Leader's Top Specialty Retailers list. The brand is widely known for its fit id outfitting experience and its role as a community hub for runners, which supports strong customer loyalty and franchisee satisfaction. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific store's local reviews, referral sources and standing in its running community.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US running apparel and footwear market is forecast to grow by about $15 billion between 2025 and 2030, a compound annual rate near 7.5%, driven by rising participation in running and walking, greater health awareness and demand for expert fitting that helps prevent injury. Specialty retailers benefit from shoppers who want personalized advice and proper sizing rather than guesswork online. For resale buyers, local demand depends on the area's running community, event calendar and competition from big-box and online sellers.

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