Fleet Feet Celebrates Legacy Syracuse Owners Ed and Ellen Griffin

By: Fleet Feet | 3 Shares 310 Reads

Couple retires following 21 years of success

May 26, 2021 // Franchising.com // CARRBORO, N.C. - Fleet Feet announced today that Ed and Ellen Griffin have retired after 21 years of owning their Fleet Feet franchise business. With stores located in DeWitt and Clay, N.Y., the Griffins had employed hundreds in the Syracuse area and empowered thousands of runners through their training programs and community events. Fleet Feet has acquired both store locations, allowing the brand to maintain its presence in each community and continue to deliver unparalleled service throughout greater Syracuse.

“Ellen and Ed have been dedicated members of the Fleet Feet family since opening their first store in 2000. They continually demonstrated a keen mix of business acumen, relentless passion for helping people and fostering partnerships, and a deep belief in empowering their employees,” says Joey Pointer, CEO of Fleet Feet. “We’re appreciative of the legacy the Griffins are leaving in Syracuse and look forward to continuing to serve the running and walking community for years to come.”

After opening their first Fleet Feet store in 2000, the Griffins immediately established a strong bond with the running community in Syracuse by providing personalized footwear solutions, training programs and engaging with the local community. Their Syracuse store was nationally recognized as one of the “Best Running Stores in America” every year from 2006 to 2019, and in 2012, was recognized as the “#1 Running Store in America.” The Griffins opened their second Fleet Feet store in Clay, N.Y. in 2013.

“Ellen and I have a genuine love for the sport, a great passion for inspiring others and have always believed in fostering relationships in the Syracuse community,” says Ed Griffin. “We’re proud of the thousands who have participated in our training programs and community events, and have been blessed with amazing customers who reminded us every day why we started Fleet Feet. We take great comfort in knowing that what we started in 2000 will continue strong and long into the future.”

Chris Braker, a Fleet Feet operator who for the past few months has been working closely with the Griffins, will lead the team and all business operations moving forward for Fleet Feet Syracuse.

“Chris has been with Fleet Feet for more than seven years in several markets, including Cincinnati, Knoxville and Wichita,” Pointer says. “He is never afraid to dig in and do the hard work for the success of his business and the community, and we’re excited to see him put that passion into continuing to serve the Syracuse community.”

Braker was most recently the operating partner at Fleet Feet’s Mishawaka, Ind., store where he developed a high performing team, engaged with the community, and expanded Fleet Feet’s brand reach. The existing Syracuse team will remain on board at both store locations, and will continue to have access to career advancement opportunities and training through Fleet Feet’s Store Support Team.

SOURCE Fleet Feet

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