Selling running store to Fleet Feet? Good Idea?

Fleet Feet is a great model and quite proven. However, if the store has been there a while and the community knows the owners and staff, I'm not sure it's worth the ROI franchising into FF since the core ownership will still be in place.

Absolutely depends on your location (is the area booming) and on your past success in the realm of expertise and customer service/servicing the running community. If it hasn't gone well, word of mouth will communicate it's just a sheep in wolf's clothing (if you get the analogy).

We are competive on the customer service side and have been a top fifty running store awards winner. Just tons of stores around us and new one opens each week. Seems like the industry is really heading down supporting the FF path vs the independent running core retail. Seperate expos etc?

Run Store Owner wrote:

Seems like the industry is really heading down supporting the FF path vs the independent running core retail.

Why is that?

I think if you feel you can't compete against franchises, then it's time to get out of the business.

Personally I feel the franchises are at a huge disadvantage.

the questioner wrote:

Personally I feel the franchises are at a huge disadvantage.

Why is that, out of curiosity?

We can turn circles around them and accelerate in most cases. The vendors are the ones slowly making the case of how much better they operate and I would like to be doing this long term.

I personally know Tom Raynor what do you want to know?

the questioner wrote:

Personally I feel the franchises are at a huge disadvantage.

Mysterion wrote:

Why is that, out of curiosity?

They don't have local control. They are slow to make changes. They are distant from the customers. The costs are higher. The overhead is much higher. They are slow to change and by the time they make any decisions the opportunities are long gone. The on site owner/manager doesn't have any capability of doing anything different.

I competed against many franchises in my business, and they never had any chance.

I have heard he does a nice job with his "aquired accounts". My question would be does the FF add long term strength and growth vs the go it alone approach. We are looking at expanding as well.

The vendors are very strong in supporting Tom and it would seem wise in the long run to grow in our community with FF and its broader influence/recognition?

Yes! You answered your own question(s). What is your location?

If your store/stores looks anything like this, stay in business.

These guy charge more for shoes/clothes than Fleet Feet now, with eight stores. I remember when they had one store and only three employees. They just stuck with the model of having knowledgeable staff and great customer service - they bought Fleet Feet's store in one case.

Keep it up.

the questioner wrote:

They don't have local control. They are slow to make changes. They are distant from the customers. The costs are higher. The overhead is much higher. They are slow to change and by the time they make any decisions the opportunities are long gone. The on site owner/manager doesn't have any capability of doing anything different.

I competed against many franchises in my business, and they never had any chance.

I'm pretty sure all of the Fleet Feets in my area are owned and operated independently. They fly the flag, but I don't believe the Fleet Feet corporation actually dictates how the store runs.

Mysterion wrote:

I'm pretty sure all of the Fleet Feets in my area are owned and operated independently. They fly the flag, but I don't believe the Fleet Feet corporation actually dictates how the store runs.

If that was true then they wouldn't be a part of FF, they'd be independent.

There is no upside to paying more money and having a high overhead.

Run Store Owner wrote:

Own a medium size running store but am wondering if it would be smarter to sell or franchise into the Fleet Feet model? We are doing ok(making a living/stressfully) but the question is would we be better with the FF support model?

If you have a seller, I would recommend selling. When the economy worsens, you can buy it back at a huge discount just in time for the recovery.