How Nike is run
In the US Nike sells through its own stores and digital platforms and through wholesale accounts such as sporting goods, athletic specialty and department stores. (Nike annual report, fiscal 2026)
It ran 347 stores in the US in May 2026: 212 Nike factory stores, 75 Nike in-line stores and 60 Converse stores. Its annual report describes no franchised stores. (Nike annual report, fiscal 2026)
Outside the US
Abroad its wholesale accounts include independent distributors, licensees and sales representatives in nearly every country. (Nike annual report, fiscal 2026)
Who owns Nike
Nike is a public company whose Class B shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol NKE. Swoosh, LLC, formed by chairman emeritus Philip Knight to hold most of his Class A shares, owned about 79% of the Class A stock in June 2026. (Nike annual report, fiscal 2026)
Franchises like Nike
If you want to own a athletic retail business, these franchise brands sell the closest thing to Nike, largest first.
| Brand | Cost to open | Fee | Royalty | Locations | Sales a location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Play It Again SportsFee $25K · Royalty 5% · Sales $1.17M a location | $346K–$460K | $25K | 5% | 309+28 in 3 yrs | $1.17M |
| Fleet FeetFee $45K · Royalty 4% · Sales $1.69M a location | $352K–$652K | $45K | 4% | 283+29 in 3 yrs | $1.69M |
| Destination AthleteFee $20K–$50K · Royalty 5%–9% | $28K–$94K | $20K–$50K | 5%–9% | 280+77 in 3 yrs | – |
| Pro Image SportsFee $30K · Royalty 5% · Sales $733K a location | $154K–$621K | $30K | 5% | 154+10 in 3 yrs | $733K |
| Soccer PostFee $30K · Royalty 5% + minimum | $201K–$397K | $30K | 5% + minimum | 60+34 in 3 yrs | – |
| Foot SolutionsFee $45K · Royalty 5% · Sales $465K a location | $163K–$263K | $45K | 5% | 51+9 in 3 yrs | $465K |
| Team Up AthleticsFee $45K · Royalty 5%; minimum after six months · Sales $189K a location | $62K–$130K | $45K | 5%; minimum after six months | 42+36 in 3 yrs | $189K |
Locations are US locations, franchised and company-owned, at the end of the latest year filed. Sales are yearly, before costs, where the brand publishes them.
Play It Again Sports is the largest, with 309 US locations, and Destination Athlete costs least to open, from $28,300. Destination Athlete added the most locations, +77 over 3 years. Of the brands that publish sales, Fleet Feet reports the most per location, $1.69M a year. The typical retail franchise starts at $198K to open; see where the money goes.
Sources
Questions
Which of these athletic retail franchises loses the fewest owners?
Destination Athlete. None of its franchised locations closed, were terminated or weren't renewed over the years its latest filing covers, against 6.4% a year at Pro Image Sports. Buy-backs by the franchisor and sales to new owners don't count as exits. Failure rates by brand