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Long-time Fleet Feet Franchise Owner Bob Shooer Retires After 14 Years

Names general manager Deb Doyle as successor to one of the top running retail stores in the country

November 03, 2021 // FranchiseMarketingSolutions // CARRBORO, N.C. – Fleet Feet announces today the retirement of Bob Shooer, the franchise owner of its Pittsburgh location since 2007. With his retirement, Shooer names Deb Doyle, his long-time general manager and co-owner, as successor to running the business. Doyle becomes the operating partner of the store as it transitions to a Fleet Feet company-owned location with Shooer’s departure.

“Bob’s retirement is such a bittersweet moment for the brand, the Pittsburgh community and the industry,” says Joey Pointer, CEO and president of Fleet Feet. “Bob’s counsel, mentorship and leadership were always in high demand because he cared deeply, spoke directly and delivered results. His expectations were the highest I’ve ever known, but always couched with the understanding that he was never expecting something of you that he himself was not prepared to deliver.

Both personally and professionally, Bob has helped me become better in every sense of the word, and I know that’s a sentiment his many customers, community partners, colleagues, employees, and reps share. We wish Bob the best as he enjoys his well-deserved retirement after decades of relentless service.”

Under Shooer’s leadership and ownership, Fleet Feet Pittsburgh set sales and growth records, created several community initiatives and partnerships, and received recognition both nationally and locally for its community and retail impact. Among the highlights:

Served as title sponsor of the Fleet Feet Liberty Mile, recognized by Runner’s World magazine as “One of America’s Iconic Road Races”
Created the Annual Holiday Lights Run, a December community fun run which in 2018, raised over $20,000 for the Victims of Terror Fund, a charity supporting families of the victims of the Tree of Life Synagogue shooting
Named “Best Running Stores” four years in a row from 2018-2021 by the Running Industry Association and New Balance North American Dealer of the Year in 2018
Earned the Healthy Workplace Award from Pittsburgh Business Times and P3R in 2018
Served as the original presenting sponsor of Runner’s Night at PNC Park, in partnership with the Pittsburgh Pirates

Additionally, Shooer became an active supporter and vocal advocate for both running and his colleagues, employees, and fellow franchisees through a number of roles, including his service on Fleet Feet’s Franchise Advisory Council, first as a member from 2013 to 2016 then as chairman from 2016 to 2021; welcoming over 800 Fleet Feet and running industry colleagues to Pittsburgh as official host of Fleet Feet’s National Franchise Conference in 2015; mentoring the careers of numerous local employees and reps who advanced into positions at Brooks, Superfeet and Fleet Feet’s Store Support Team; and officiating the weddings of eight current and former employees, reps and colleagues over the course of 14 years.

“I consider it an honor to have been able to both work for and represent our Fleet Feet brand,” says Shooer. “The collective efforts of both our store employees and the Store Support Team have created a culture that is unmatched in any industry with which I have ever been associated.”

“As the saying goes, parting is such sweet sorrow, but I am confident that I leave the business and the Pittsburgh running community in the hands of the best person possible, Deb Doyle, and with the best running brand, Fleet Feet. My part of the relay is over now, and I look forward to watching Deb, our amazing staff and the Store Support Team run this next lap together.”

Born in the borough of Queens, New York City, Shooer grew up on Long Island and began his career in retail in 1976 with the May Company. Over the next three decades, Shooer would go on to work at both the Federated Department Stores and Saks Fifth Avenue, holding positions as buyer, divisional merchandise manager, regional manager, and vice president/general manager.

Shooer purchased the Fleet Feet Pittsburgh location from its previous owner after identifying the opportunity to combine his love and passion for running with his four decades of retail experience. With Shooer’s departure and sale of the store to Fleet Feet, the Pittsburgh location becomes Fleet Feet’s 38th company-owned location, and the fourth Fleet Feet franchise location acquired by the brand this year as a succession plan for retiring owners.

SOURCE Fleet Feet

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