Flip Flop Shops Inks Master Franchise Agreement for Canada

(Franchise Buy) - By . Updated Apr 22, 2011

Flip Flop Shops Inks Master Franchise Agreement for Canada

April 22, 2011 - ATLANTA – Flip Flop Shops hangs ten – actually 30-plus – in Canada with a major expansion deal.

North America’s first retail chain exclusive to the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals, today announced that it has signed a master franchise agreement with Doug Kingston, a Langley, British Columbia businessman, to open 30 shops throughout all of Canada within the next 10 years.

“This is huge for Flip Flop Shops,” said Brian Curin, the President (Size 10) of Flip Flop Shops, expressing his excitement for the largest deal in the company’s history. “Doug’s operations will be a complete extension of who we are. He will be responsible for growing the brand and providing ongoing support for his franchisees. He’s a solid guy and we’re confident in his ability to grow Flip Flop Shops throughout Canada.”

The growth plan extends the brand’s U.S. and Canadian footprint beyond the nearly 100 shops in operation and development, providing a proven business opportunity for investors seeking to enter the multi-billion dollar flip flop and sandal industry. With three successful locations currently operating in Vancouver, British Columbia; Edmonton, Alberta; and Kelowna, British Columbia, key markets for expansion include the provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba, among others.

This summer, Kingston will open his own location in Langley, which will become the training shop for new Canadian franchisees. Already, Flip Flop Shops has four additional locations slated to open in Canada within the next year in Calgary, Alberta; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and two in Toronto, Ontario.

“Flip Flop Shops has exploded throughout the United States, and I’m looking to bring this same energy to Canada,” said Kingston (Size 11). “This niche concept works. Plus, the demand for flip flops and sandals never dies, no matter what time of the year. I’m stoked to join the Flip Flop Shops family and look forward to growing the brand from coast to coast.”

Kingston is no stranger to the franchise and retail industries. The experienced businessman first dove into franchising as a master franchisee for Wine Kitz, a consumer wine making business. With six years of experience at the franchisor and franchisee level, Kingston successfully applied his growing knowledge of retail at EB Games and LIDS, where he was a district manager for 10 years. Intrigued by the niche concepts, Kingston began looking at similar business opportunities that would provide consumers with a one-stop shop. When he came across Flip Flop Shops, he knew that the growing flip flop brand was the perfect opportunity for him and would be a hit with Canadian consumers.

“Doug’s strong background in retail and franchising makes him an ideal candidate to spearhead the growth of Flip Flop Shops throughout Canada,” said Darin Kraetsch, the CEO (Size 10) of Flip Flop Shops. “He shares the same passion and drive that we do, and understands what it takes to grow a retail business. Flip Flop Shops is experiencing its most robust growth ever, and this is only the beginning.”

Bursting onto the retail scene in 2004, Flip Flop Shops quickly became North America's first retail chain exclusive to the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals from such leading brands as REEF, Sanuk, Flojos, havaianas, OluKai, Cobian and O’NEILL, among others. Its mission: to provide the opportunity for anyone, in any climate, to “Live…Work …Play With Their Toes Exposed®” while wearing the freedom of flip flops on their feet.

Today, Flip Flop Shops has nearly 40 locations operating throughout the United States, Canada, Guam, and the Caribbean, with 60-plus shops in development. The company recently teamed-up with Ritz Interactive to launch an innovative online shop at www.FlipFlopShops.com to provide consumers anywhere with even more styles from the prominent brands sold at Flip Flop Shops locations.

For information regarding Canada franchise opportunities, contact Doug Kingston at (604) 309-0638 or dkingston@flipflopshops.com. For further information on Flip Flop Shops or to find the nearest shop, visit www.FlipFlopShops.com.

About Flip Flop Shops

Founded in 2004, Flip Flop Shops is North America’s first retail chain exclusive to the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals from big names such as REEF, Sanuk, Flojos, havaianas, OluKai, Cobian, and O’NEILL. The recipient of the International Council of Shopping Centers’ prestigious “Hot Retailer Award,” Flip Flop Shops began franchising in January 2008. Flip Flop Shops is an Environmentally Responsible Retailer™ and encourages the nation to Free Their Toes®. The executive team boasts more than 50 years of franchise experience building and growing some of the world’s fastest-growing franchise concepts, category leaders and some of the world’s most well-known brands, including Cold Stone Creamery, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Nike. With nearly 40 shops currently operating and 60-plus in development, the company plans to open 236 shops by 2013. For more franchise opportunity information, visit www.flipflopshops.com.

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