JackRabbit Acquires Rhythm Running, To Open Two Stores

Back in expansion mode, JackRabbit announced the company has completed the acquisition of Nashville-based Rhythm Running. In addition, the company is opening two new stores in Houston, TX, and Tampa, FL.

The two new store openings will occur in September.

JackRabbit is currently operating 62 stores in 18 states along with its e-commerce platform jackrabbit.com. The addition of Houston, TX, expands the JackRabbit footprint in the state of Texas to 12 stores.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to acquire Rhythm Running and enter the vibrant Nashville market. We could not be happier to have them join our JackRabbit team,” said Bill Kirkendall, CEO of JackRabbit. “We are also excited to expand our footprint in Texas with our new store opening in Houston and our entry into the State of Florida. Our multi-channel platform is having a positive impact on all parts of our business. We are committed to the continued growth of the JackRabbit store base and digital platform with the full support of our employees, management team and shareholders at CriticalPoint Capital.”

In March 2017, JackRabbit, with 65 stores at the time, was sold by The Finish Line to CriticalPoint Capital, a private investment firm based in Manhattan Beach, CA. The running chain had halted expansion prior to the sale but is slowly ramping its expansion efforts.

In May 2018, JackRabbit acquired Clever Training, a multisport e-commerce retailer. Based in Seminole, FL, and founded in 2002, Clever Training has expanded from servicing triathletes to offering products for fitness enthusiasts across multiple sports and activities. It has a retail location near Clearwater, FL, in addition to its e-commerce site, clevertraining.com.

In February 2018, JackRabbit opened a RunOn! by JackRabbit store in Forth Worth, TX, for its seventh location in the the Dallas/Ft. Worth market. In October 2017, JackRabbit acquired Rogue Running, which has one store in Austin. A remodel of its Boulder Running Company location was completed earlier this year.

Photo courtesy JackRabbit