In 2000, PLAYTRI was founded as a triathlon coaching company, adding race production in 2004. In 2011 the husband and wife team of Ahmed Zaher and Staci Brode would open the first of 6 PLAYTRI stores. Zaher and Brode, both avid athletes, saw the stores as great places for athletes of all levels to gather in the community. Over time they worked to perfect the model enabling them to help more people reach their health and fitness goals. Zaher brings a wealth of athletic training to the business as a former member of the Egyptian Olympic swim team and 8-time Hawaii Ironman finisher. Trained as a Mechanical Engineer, Zaher has extensive experience as a Shell and Exxon franchisee. Brode holds a Marketing and Business Honors degree from the University of Texas at Austin and found the sport of triathlon in 2001 while looking for a way to get back in shape; and would join Zaher to found PLAYTRI.
Announced in June 2018, PLAYTRI Franchising LLC acquired Endurance House International LLC.
Endurance House was founded in 2006 by Jamie and Tara Osborn to supply gear to people with a passion for triathlons, marathons, swimming and all things endurance. They combined their business and marketing experience into a profitable business and shared the opportunity with others by helping people all over the United States to “Own Their Passion” by becoming Endurance House franchise owners. Endurance House now operates 12 stores in nine states and has impressive annual sales growth. The Osborn’s are avid triathletes and will continue on as a part of the leadership team with PLAYTRI.
This acquisition combines two powerhouses in the world of triathlon retailing into the largest chain of triathlon-focused retail locations in the nation, with 18 locations in nine states.
Rounding out the leadership team as the CEO of PLAYTRI Franchising is Stephan Brown, an experienced senior executive in the consumer products industry: Humminbird Marine Electronics, the Experimental Aircraft Association and most recently as the 10-year CEO of the Commemorative Air Force, Inc – the largest flying, vintage-military aircraft organization in the world. Brown has competed as an age group triathlete for 32 years and owns the PLAYTRI Colleyville franchise location.
According to Brown, “PLAYTRI Franchising LLC plans to actively expand; with the goal of operating in all 50 U.S. States; training and equipping athletes to reach their fitness goals in the most well-rounded athletic endeavor ever conceived.”