You’ve likely seen the blue chevron logo at your local park or the starting line of a marathon. Brooks has become a powerhouse, especially in the last decade. But if you try to find a "Brooks" stock ticker on the New York Stock Exchange, you’re going to be looking for a while.
Basically, Brooks is a tiny piece of a much larger puzzle.
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Since 2006, the brand has been tucked away inside the massive portfolio of Berkshire Hathaway. That's Warren Buffett's empire. If you're wondering why a billionaire who loves Dairy Queen and Cherry Coke owns a high-end running brand, you aren't alone. It’s a weird match on paper, but in terms of business, it’s been a gold mine.
The Buffett Connection: How Berkshire Hathaway Ended Up With Your Sneakers
It wasn't a direct "hey, I want a shoe company" purchase. Honestly, the path was a bit messy.
Brooks was originally part of a company called Russell Athletic. In 2006, Fruit of the Loom—which Berkshire already owned—bought Russell. Suddenly, Brooks was a subsidiary of a subsidiary. It stayed that way for about five years, quietly growing in the background while being managed under the Fruit of the Loom umbrella.
Everything changed in 2011.
Warren Buffett noticed something. Even though Brooks was a small part of his massive conglomerate, it was punching way above its weight. He decided to pull Brooks out from under Fruit of the Loom and make it a standalone subsidiary. This meant the CEO of Brooks would report directly to Omaha.
Buffett doesn't usually buy "turnaround" projects; he buys winners. By 2011, Brooks was winning.
Why Warren Buffett actually cares about running shoes
People often think Berkshire Hathaway is just insurance and railroads. It’s not. It’s also See’s Candies, GEICO, and yes, your Adrenaline GTS trainers.
Buffett loves "moats." He likes businesses that have a loyal following and a clear purpose. In 2024 and 2025, Brooks hit massive milestones, surpassing $1 billion in annual revenue. As of early 2026, the company remains a crown jewel for Berkshire. Even as leadership at Berkshire Hathaway transitions—with Buffett officially stepping back and Greg Abel taking a more prominent role—Brooks hasn't skipped a beat.
A History of Near-Death Experiences
It wasn't always billionaire owners and record-breaking sales. Far from it.
Founded in 1914 by John Brooks Goldenberg, the company started out making bathing shoes and ballet slippers in Philadelphia. Seriously. They moved into baseball cleats and football shoes, but they almost disappeared several times.
In the 1980s, Brooks actually filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. They had quality control issues at a factory in Puerto Rico, and thousands of defective shoes were being returned. It was a disaster.
- Wolverine World Wide (the people who make Hush Puppies) bought them at auction in 1981.
- By 1993, they were sold again, this time to a Norwegian investment group called The Rokke Group.
- Then J.H. Whitney & Co. took a controlling interest in 1998.
Basically, for twenty years, Brooks was the kid no one wanted to keep. It changed hands more often than a hot potato.
The Jim Weber Era
You can't talk about who owns Brooks without mentioning Jim Weber. He took over as CEO in 2001 when the company was nearly broke. Again.
Weber made a radical choice: he cut everything that wasn't running. He stopped making cheap shoes for Kmart and focused exclusively on the "high-performance" runner. He bet the whole house on the idea that if they made the best running shoe, the business would follow.
He was right.
In early 2024, after over 20 years at the helm, Weber stepped down. He’s the guy who turned a bankrupt shoe company into a brand Warren Buffett actually wanted to own. Dan Sheridan, a longtime veteran who joined the company in 1998, took over as CEO in April 2024 and continues to lead the brand into 2026.
Who Really "Runs" the Show Now?
While Berkshire Hathaway owns the shares, the day-to-day operations happen in a beautiful, sustainable headquarters in Seattle, Washington.
They operate with a level of independence that’s rare in corporate America. Berkshire doesn't tell them what colors to paint the shoes or which athletes to sign. Buffett's philosophy has always been: "Buy great businesses with great managers, and then get out of the way."
Current CEO Dan Sheridan has doubled down on this. Under his leadership, Brooks has expanded aggressively into Europe and Asia. In late 2025, they reported a 17% revenue growth in a single quarter, proving that even as the economy fluctuates, people still want to run.
The Competition: Brooks vs. The Giants
Brooks is in a weird spot. They aren't as big as Nike, but they dominate the "Specialty Running" market. That means if you go to a store that only sells running gear, Brooks is often the #1 brand sold.
- Nike: Focuses on lifestyle, fashion, and every sport on earth.
- Hoka/On: The "new kids" who are eating up market share with trendy designs.
- Brooks: The "old reliable." They focus on biomechanics and the "Run Happy" philosophy.
The ownership by Berkshire gives Brooks a "forever" horizon. Unlike other brands that have to answer to fickle shareholders every three months, Brooks has the backing of the deepest pockets in the world. They can afford to spend years developing a new midsole foam like DNA LOFT without worrying about a temporary dip in stock price.
What This Means for Your Next Pair of Shoes
Does it matter that a billionaire in Omaha owns your shoes? Kinda.
It means the company isn't going anywhere. It also means they have the capital to invest in things like the Cascadia Elite or the Glycerin line. They’ve recently leaned heavily into partnerships with people like actor Jeremy Renner and runner-friendly events like runDisney.
They are shifting from being just a "technical" brand to a "lifestyle" brand for people who value health. Honestly, the shift is working. In 2025, their lifestyle collection—which pulls designs from their "vault" of 1970s and 80s styles—saw record interest.
Actionable Insights for the Savvy Runner
If you’re a fan of the brand or thinking about switching, here is the "insider" view of where Brooks is headed in 2026:
- Look for the "Max" trend: Following the success of the Ghost Max, Brooks is going big on "maximalist" cushioning. If you have knee issues, keep an eye on the 2026 Glycerin updates.
- Sustainability is the new standard: Their Seattle HQ is one of the greenest buildings in the world. They are pushing for carbon neutrality across their entire shoe line by 2040, so expect more recycled materials in your mesh uppers.
- Specialty over Big Box: While you can find Brooks at Dick's Sporting Goods, the "good stuff" (like the Hyperion racing line) is still prioritized for local running shops. Support your local store if you want the best fit.
- Expect more "Berkshire" nods: Every year, Brooks releases a limited-edition sneaker for the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting. They usually have tiny pictures of Warren Buffett or Charlie Munger on them. They’re weirdly collectible.
The bottom line? Brooks is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, led by Dan Sheridan, and fueled by a century of trial and error. They aren't just another shoe brand; they are a case study in how staying focused on one thing—running—can turn a bankrupt failure into a billion-dollar success.
To get the most out of your next pair, check the wear patterns on your current soles; Brooks designs different shoes (Neutral vs. Support) specifically for how your foot rolls, a level of detail that remains their bread and butter under Berkshire's ownership.