New franchise to help with aching feet, knees and backs

There’s a new orthotics franchise out of San Antonio, and Wichitan Dawn Keene and Troy Johnson of Salina are the first franchisees for it.

There are five corporate Ideal Feet stores, and Keene and Johnson are opening their first franchise on the east side at 3236 N. Rock Road.

“This will be the only one for right now,” Keene says.

The store, which will open May 15, will offer custom-fit orthotics for people with foot, knee, back and other pain.

Keene, who was previously in the industry with another company, says there are all kinds of orthotics for various kinds of shoes. That includes dress shoes, sandals and flip flops along with boots and athletic shoes.

A west-side Ideal Feet is a possibility one day if there’s a need, Keene says.

She says she’s particularly interested in expanding in the Kansas City.

“Those are our hopes in the next three to five years.”