Flip Flop Shops Set to Expose Toes in the Big Apple

(Franchise Buy) - By . Updated May 16, 2013

ATLANTA – Promoting the Worldwide Movement to Free Your Toes^®, Flip Flop Shops is bound for the Big Apple.

The only lifestyle retail franchise to capture the essence of the flip flop connoisseur way of life, Flip Flop Shops is bringing its one-of-a kind brand to the New York City area with plans to open 18-24 shops throughout the Northeast in the next 3-5 years. Joining the shops operating in Woodbridge, N.J.; King of Prussia, Pa.; and Virginia Beach (two locations) and Richmond, Va., the first of these locations will open in May 2013 in Greenwich Village at 61 E. 8th Street by local husband-wife team Dave (Size 12) & Christine (Size 8) Dequeljoe. Additional entrepreneurial teams already have plans to open shops in Milford, Conn.; Baltimore, Georgetown, and Bethesda, Md.; Cherry Hill, N.J.; Lancaster, Pa.; and Roanoke, Va. within the next two years.

Proving their commitment to expand in the Northeast, company executives are hosting a “Shop Day” at the new location in Greenwich Village on Friday, June 21, 2013 to meet with prospective shop owners to discuss the Flip Flop Shops brand and franchise opportunity.

“We are taking an almost surgical approach to our strategic growth plan to make sure we’re growing with the right franchisees in the right markets, and a shop in New York City has been long overdue,” said Brian Curin, the President & Co-Founder (Size 10) of Flip Flop Shops. “Regardless of the climate or time of the year, flip flops have tremendous market potential, and no other retailer has capitalized on this segment. We have a unique, spot-on concept that gives consumers access to the latest styles of flip flops year-round from the industry’s leading brands—you can’t find that anywhere else.”

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, SANÜK, OluKai, Cobian, Quiksilver, ROXY, and Cushe, among others. Its mission: to provide the opportunity for anyone, in any climate, to Live…Work…Play With Their Toes Exposed^® with the freedom of flip flops on their feet.

Since launching the franchise opportunity in 2008, Flip Flop Shops received more than 13,000 franchise applications, generated nearly $4 million in franchise fees and nearly $20 million in system-wide sales while boasting significant same-shops sales growth. The franchise has also grown to more than 80 shops open throughout the United States, Canada, Guam and the Caribbean with more than 110 locations in the development pipeline.

“We’re looking to grow with shop owners that embody the Free Your Toes lifestyle and share the same flip flop passion and attitude that we do,” added Darin Kraetsch, the CEO and Co-Founder (Size 10) of Flip Flop Shops.

Seeking single- and multi-unit franchisees that exude the lifestyle tenets and casual nature that are affiliated with this liberating footwear style, the company is looking to award franchises to people who have a solid business acumen coupled with a mellow, free-spirit nature and a passion for the Flip Flop Shops way of life.

With more than 190 shops already open or in the global development pipeline, growth throughout the Northeast is part of the brand’s well-managed global expansion strategy, which calls for 236 locations to be developed in five countries by 2014.

For more information on the Flip Flop Shops franchise opportunity, visit http://franchise.flipflopshops.com/ or contact franchise@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, SANÜK, OluKai, Cobian, Quiksilver, ROXY, and Cushe. The Kennesaw, Ga.-based company began franchising in January 2008 and continues to be recognized by industry leaders as one of the fastest-growing franchises and retailers in the nation. Industry accolades include: the International Council of Shopping Centers’ prestigious “Hot Retailer Award” and ranking No. 170 in the 2012 Inc. 500 | 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States, as well as the sixth fastest-growing franchise and ninth fastest-growing retailer in the nation.

Growing the brand to more than 80 shops in operation and 110-plus in the development pipeline, 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, Nike and OfficeZilla.com. The company is an Environmentally Responsible Retailer™ encouraging the nation to Free Their Toes®. Flip Flop Shops also promotes a healthy, stress-free lifestyle through its educational campaign, the Heart To Sole: Creating A Stress-Free America, designed to reduce stress levels throughout North America, improve heart health and support the American Heart Association in its My Heart. My Life. healthy living initiative. For more information on the franchise opportunity, visit http://franchise.flipflopshops.com/.

Media Contact: Jayne Levy, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300 ext. 225, jlevy@fishmanpr.com

# # #