Athletico Physical Therapy

Athletico Physical Therapy is a large outpatient rehabilitation provider focused on physical therapy, occupational therapy, and related musculoskeletal care delivered through community-based clinics across the United States. Its therapists treat orthopedic injuries, sports-related conditions, work injuries, post-surgical recovery, and balance, vestibular, and pelvic health issues, serving patients who are typically referred by physicians, employers, and health systems. Care is delivered by licensed clinicians who use hands-on treatment, tailored exercise programs, and treatment plans aligned with current clinical evidence.

The company was founded in 1991 by Mark Kaufman, a physical therapist and athletic trainer who opened the first Athletico clinic in the Chicago area to serve local athletes and orthopedic patients. From that single clinic, Athletico grew steadily across the Midwest through a mix of new openings and select acquisitions. A major milestone came in 2014, when Athletico merged with Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers, creating one of the largest outpatient physical therapy platforms in the region and positioning the business for broader expansion. That same year, funds advised by Harvest Partners, LP became the majority owner, providing additional capital and support for growth.

Over roughly the last five years, Athletico has evolved from a largely Midwest-focused brand into a multi-region platform with clinics across the Midwest, South, East Coast, and Mountain West. Growth has come through both de novo clinics and tuck-in acquisitions, with a focus on building dense local networks rather than scattering single sites across many new states. In August 2023, Athletico announced that Pivot Physical Therapy had joined the company, adding a substantial East Coast footprint and bringing the combined network to more than 910 clinics across 24 states and Washington, D.C. As of August 2023, Athletico operated approximately 910 clinics, reflecting a sizable but still expanding outpatient platform.

For real estate owners and developers, Athletico typically occupies neighborhood-oriented space rather than hospital campuses. Clinics are commonly found in street-level retail, neighborhood and community centers, power centers, and medical office settings, often alongside daily-needs retailers and other healthcare uses. The format generally suits small to midsize retail boxes and inline suites, with a steady flow of recurring patient visits driven by medical referrals and employer relationships. Athletico continues to target infill sites in suburban and urban neighborhoods where there is strong commercial insurance coverage and proximity to orthopedic, sports medicine, and employer referral sources, which supports sustained patient volume.

The company remains in active growth mode, using a combination of new clinic openings and acquisitions to deepen its presence in existing states. Priority expansion has centered on Midwest metro and suburban markets anchored by orthopedic and sports medicine providers, East Coast markets strengthened by the Pivot Physical Therapy integration, and high-growth suburban corridors in the Sun Belt and Mountain West. With private equity backing from funds advised by Harvest Partners and a long operating history dating back to 1991, Athletico brings an established healthcare brand, repeat-visit traffic, and a consistent clinic format that can help stabilize and activate neighborhood retail and mixed-use environments.