Englewood, Colo. – – September 29, 2026 -- Footprints Floors founder and CEO Bryan Park has been named one of the Denver Business Journal's Most Admired CEOs of 2026, marking a milestone for the flooring franchise he built from a single Colorado operation into a national network of more than 150 territories.
Air Force veteran built franchise from 2008 financial crisis into 150-territory network
Park founded Footprints Floors in 2008 during the financial crisis, spotting a gap for greater transparency and reliability in flooring installation. He structured the business around a lower-overhead model in which customers buy materials directly from vendors of their choice while the company manages professional installation, avoiding traditional showroom and inventory costs.
Franchising since 2013 expanded reach while keeping local owner control
Park began franchising the concept in 2013, equipping local business owners with training, technology, marketing resources and operational support. The company has continued investing in tools and partnerships aimed at helping franchisees build sustainable local operations as the network scaled nationally.
Company channels profits into community programs and veteran discounts
Park established the First Fruits Fund, which directs a portion of corporate profits to nonprofit organizations, and instituted an annual First Fruits Service Day for employee volunteering. He and his wife co-founded Joyful Light, a faith-based youth theater nonprofit that Footprints Floors supports through volunteer work, set design, sound and lighting assistance.
Park sits on the National Wood Flooring Association Board of Directors and offers qualified veterans a 10% discount on the initial Footprints Floors franchise fee, extending his military background into franchise recruitment.
"Integrity, serving others and helping people succeed have always mattered more to me than growth for the sake of growth," Park said of the recognition.