Established
2005
Franchise Units
14
Minimum Investment
$250,000
Franchise Fee
$40,000
Total Investment Range
$500,000
Home Based
No
Description
The Playtri franchise represents a distinctive and high-potential opportunity in the specialty sports retail industry in the United States. Built around the rapidly growing endurance sports and active-lifestyle market, Playtri is not just a retail store—it is a performance-driven community hub designed for triathletes, runners, cyclists, swimmers, and fitness-focused consumers.
Unlike traditional sporting goods retailers, Playtri focuses on education, personalized service, and long-term customer relationships. Each location offers premium athletic gear, expert fittings, training resources, coaching support, and athlete-focused events that foster loyalty and repeat business. This community-centric approach has helped the brand earn trust among both beginner athletes and seasoned competitors.
As participation in endurance sports continues to rise across the U.S., Playtri is strategically positioned to capitalize on this demand. The franchise blends lifestyle retail with experiential engagement, making it attractive to entrepreneurs seeking a business with purpose, passion, and profit potential.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Playtri offers several compelling advantages for franchise investors:
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Operates in the growing endurance sports and active-lifestyle segment
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Strong brand positioning built on expertise, service, and athlete trust
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Community-driven model that encourages repeat customers and referrals
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Multiple revenue streams beyond traditional retail sales
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Less competition from big-box stores due to niche specialization
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Scalable structure suitable for single-unit or multi-unit ownership
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Appeals to both owner-operators and lifestyle-focused investors
Background
Playtri was founded in 2005 in the United States by endurance sports enthusiasts Matt Harrelson and Jim Lofton. The founders identified a clear gap in the market for a specialty retailer dedicated exclusively to triathletes and endurance athletes who needed expert guidance rather than generic sporting goods.
What began as a single specialty store evolved into a refined franchise system after years of operational testing, vendor relationship building, and community engagement. Today, Playtri operates 14 franchise units across the USA, primarily in markets with strong participation in running, cycling, swimming, and triathlon events.
The brand operates within the specialty sports retail and fitness industry and is privately owned. Its steady growth has been driven by customer loyalty, repeat business, and a strong reputation within local athletic communities.
Support Training
Playtri provides a robust franchise support system designed to guide franchisees from pre-launch through long-term operations.
Pre-Launch Support
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Assistance with site selection and market analysis
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Store design guidelines and layout planning
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Vendor onboarding and initial inventory planning
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Grand opening and pre-launch marketing support
Initial Training
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Comprehensive operational and management training
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Product knowledge across running, cycling, swimming, and triathlon categories
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Customer service and consultative sales training
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POS systems, inventory management, and reporting tools
Ongoing Support
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Dedicated franchise support team
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Continued merchandising and seasonal planning assistance
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Marketing campaigns, promotional assets, and local outreach strategies
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Access to preferred vendors and national purchasing programs
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Ongoing education on new products and industry trends
This structured support ensures franchisees can focus on building relationships and growing their local market presence.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal Playtri franchisee is a motivated entrepreneur who values community, fitness, and relationship-driven business models.
Ideal Candidates Typically Include
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Passionate athletes or fitness enthusiasts
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Coaches, trainers, or sports professionals seeking ownership
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Retail or service-industry professionals transitioning to entrepreneurship
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Investors looking for a lifestyle-oriented, community-based business
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Owner-operators comfortable with hands-on involvement
While prior sports retail experience is beneficial, it is not required. Franchisees should be financially prepared, people-focused, and eager to become a recognized leader within their local fitness and endurance sports community.
Financial Detail
The Playtri franchise investment is competitive within the specialty retail category:
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Total Investment Required: USD 250,000 – 500,000
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Minimum Investment: Approximately USD 250,000
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Franchise Fee: Around USD 40,000
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Infrastructure & Build-Out Cost: USD 100,000 – 200,000
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Initial Inventory: USD 75,000 – 150,000
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Marketing & Grand Opening Budget: USD 10,000 – 25,000
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Working Capital: USD 30,000 – 60,000
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Royalty Fee: Ongoing percentage of gross sales
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Expected ROI: Competitive for well-managed locations
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Break-Even Period: Typically 24 – 36 months
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Potential Revenue Streams: Retail sales, fitting services, events, clinics, partnerships, and sponsorships
Actual figures may vary based on location, store size, and management approach.