Vancouver could be home to as many as four Flip Flop Shops in five years.
Leaders of Atlanta-based Flip Flop Shops aim to franchise their first Vancouver store before the end of 2009. The company claims to be the first retail chain to exclusively sell flip flops and sandals, offering more than 15 sandal brands.
“We’re in no hurry to lace up shoes ever again,” said President Brian Curin.
Despite Vancouver’s rainy climate, Curin said market research indicates local consumers are ready for at least one year-round flip flop store.
“It’s a natural fit to grow throughout the Washington and Oregon markets,” Curin said. “The culture (there) fits with the ‘free your toes’ mentality and the outdoor and active lifestyle.”
The global flip flop industry is worth $20 billion in sales, Curin said, and flip flop sales beat athletic shoes in 2006 and 2007.
The company opened its first store in September 2004. Five are now in operation in Arizona and California combined.
Including the expansion into Vancouver, the company aims for 236 new locations by 2013, targeting the Seattle area plus San Francisco, New York, Atlanta and Tampa.
“It’s really not rapid for us,” Curin said of the development pace. “In (five years) we were able to open 1,000 Cold Stone Creameries.”
He and the company Chief Executive Officer Darin Kraetsch and Chief Operating Officer Alan Woods helped develop franchise systems for Nike, Cold Stone Creamery and Moe’s Southwest Grill, and have worked together for nearly 15 years.
“Having people like that aboard and the types of investors (we have) gives us credibility and expertise that a lot of (franchise) systems only dream of having,” Curin said.
More than 1,600 people contacted Flip Flop Shops about franchising this year, and 13 franchises sold, Curin said. Each will operate in a 500- to 900-square-foot space with one or two employees.
Curin declined to share company revenue, but said he expects to sell 18 franchises this year.
“Our first-year goal is very aggressive and we’ll hit that number without any issues,” he said.
Charity Thompson can be reached at cthompson@vbjusa.com.
