History
In 1976, two friends, Alan Cohen and David Klapper, partnered to run a franchise called Athlete's Foot. Athlete's Foot was a large athletic footwear business. By 1981, Cohen and Klapper's vision had grown larger than what Athlete's Foot was able to contain. Therefore, in 1981, Cohen and Klapper decided to open their own company as a spin off of Athlete's Foot. They decided to call it Finish Line. At the time of Finish Line's start up, Cohen and Klapper still maintained 10 Athlete's Foot stores. After the first Finish Line stores were opened, Cohen and Klapper converted all previous Athlete's Foot stores into Finish Line stores in 1986 when their franchises expired. As of 2002, Finish line was the second largest athletic retailer with over 550 stores in 46 states.
Finish Line's success can be attributed to many things, such as, great knowledge of the athletic industry, structured growth, superior executive leadership, and great following of a well thought out mission. This mission states, "Finish Line will provide the best selection of sport inspired footwear, apparel and accessories to fit the fast culture of action addicted individuals." Finish Line's success has come via many milestones throughout their history. Finish Line's milestones are documented in the following timeline.
Finish Line Timeline
? October 1976 - Finish Line opens its doors for the first time as a chain of the Athlete's Foot.
? 1981 - Two additional partners, Dave Fagin and Larry Sablosky, are brought on board, and the first Finish Line stores are opened.
? 1986 - The Athlete's Foot franchise expires, and all Athlete's Foot stores are converted to Finish Line.
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