The Athlete's Foot (TAF) is a franchisor of athletic footwear.
In 1971, David Lando realized that athletic shoes were by far the highest selling product in his store. That year, he and his son, Michael Lando, opened the first Athlete's Foot store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was the first athletic footwear specialty store of its kind in the United States. Soon thereafter, The Athlete's Foot began franchising domestically, with the first franchise store opening in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The first international franchise store opened in 1978 in Adelaide, Australia, the beginning of The Athlete's Foot expansion into over 40 countries.
In 1999, TAF unveiled a prototype store featuring several technological and design innovations geared toward providing customers with the products and information necessary to choose the ideal shoe for their feet and the athletic activities in which they participate. The center of the new store design is a state-of-the-art FitPrint system that identifies pressure points through different phases of a customer's gait.
In 2006, NexCen Brands, Inc., a public brand management company, acquired TAF and plans to continue to drive the growth of the brand worldwide through franchising.
In June 2007, TAF unveiled its new "next generation" store design. Inspired by the athletic lifestyle, new stores will feature awnings and banners to evoke a "race day" atmosphere, while fixture details are influenced by design elements of athletic equipment.
Brands carried by The Athlete's Foot include Nike, Adidas, Reebok, New Balance, Converse, Fila, Saucony, Timberland and Vans.
Famous quotes containing the words athlete and/or foot:
“It is odd that the NCAA would place a school on probation for driving an athlete to class, or providing a loan, but would have no penalty for a school that violates Title IX, a federal law.”
—Cardiss L. Collins (b. 1931)
“I remember the scenes of battle in which we stood together. I remember especially that broad and deep grave at the foot of the Resaca hill where we left those gallant comrades who fell in that desperate charge. I remember, through it all, the gallantry, devotion and steadfastness, the high-set patriotism you always exhibited.”
—Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901)