Thorogood boots are made by the Weinbrenner Shoe Company, an employee owned business headquartered in Merrill, Wisconsin. Many Thorogood styles are still manufactured domestically at Weinbrenner’s own Wisconsin factories, while other lines are produced overseas, including in China.
Thorogood is not owned by an outside parent company. Weinbrenner has remained employee owned throughout its history, a rare structure in the footwear industry.
This article covers who owns Thorogood, where its boots are actually manufactured, its recent Wisconsin expansion, and its founding history.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Thorogood?
Thorogood is owned and made by the Weinbrenner Shoe Company, an employee owned footwear manufacturer headquartered in Merrill, Wisconsin. Current styles are available on Thorogood’s official website.
Unlike most footwear brands, Weinbrenner has no outside corporate parent and is instead owned by its own workforce, a structure it has maintained since the company’s founding. Union tradespeople at Weinbrenner’s Wisconsin facilities handcraft more than 125 domestic styles under the Thorogood name.
Jeff Burns has served as president of Weinbrenner since 2019, leading the company through recent investment in expanded domestic manufacturing capacity.
Where Are Thorogood Boots Made?
Only some Thorogood boots are made in the USA. Weinbrenner manufactures a large share of its lineup, including the popular American Heritage collection, at its own factories in Merrill and Marshfield, Wisconsin.
Other Thorogood styles are manufactured overseas, including in China, to round out the brand’s full catalog of more than 250 styles once imported lines are included. Weinbrenner’s marketing focuses heavily on its domestic manufacturing, though its website does not always make clear which specific styles are imported.
The clearest way to confirm whether a specific pair is made domestically is to check for the American Heritage line designation or look for a Union Made label, since these consistently indicate Wisconsin production.
What Is Thorogood’s New Wisconsin Facility?
In June 2026, Thorogood opened a new 14.5 million dollar manufacturing facility in Wisconsin, alongside the brand’s first dedicated retail store.
The investment expands Weinbrenner’s domestic production capacity at a time when several American footwear companies have highlighted renewed interest in US based manufacturing. The new facility adds to Weinbrenner’s existing Merrill and Marshfield plants rather than replacing them.
The first retail store gives shoppers a direct way to buy Thorogood boots in person near the brand’s home base, a departure from Weinbrenner’s traditional wholesale focused distribution model.
When Was Thorogood Founded?
Thorogood traces its roots to 1892, when Albert Weinbrenner, a first generation German immigrant, took over his father’s cobbler shop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. More on the company’s history is documented on Wikipedia.
Weinbrenner introduced its Job Fitted concept in 1917, designing boots tailored to specific trades rather than offering one generic work boot. The company became a major boot supplier to the US Army during both World Wars and shifted entirely to military footwear production during World War Two.
Thorogood became the official boot of the Boy Scouts of America in the 1960s, and following the September 11 attacks, Weinbrenner donated hundreds of pairs of work boots to rescue workers at Ground Zero.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes Thorogood Boots
Are Thorogood boots made in the USA?
Many Thorogood boots are made in the USA at Weinbrenner’s factories in Merrill and Marshfield, Wisconsin, particularly styles in the American Heritage line. Some other Thorogood styles are manufactured overseas, including in China.
Is Thorogood employee owned?
Yes, Weinbrenner Shoe Company, which owns and manufactures Thorogood boots, is employee owned. It has no outside corporate parent, which is unusual for a footwear brand of its size.
How can I tell if my Thorogood boots are made in the USA?
Look for the American Heritage collection name or a Union Made label, both of which indicate the boots were manufactured at Weinbrenner’s Wisconsin facilities. Imported styles typically will not carry either designation.
When did Weinbrenner open its newest factory?
Weinbrenner opened a new 14.5 million dollar manufacturing facility along with Thorogood’s first retail store in Wisconsin in June 2026, expanding the company’s domestic production capacity.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.