Sep 6, 2012

National Retailer Flip-Flops Into Election Season, Literally

Flip Flop Shops, a global retail franchise that exclusively sells the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals, is making an official entry into U.S. politics with the Flip Flop Shops’ Limited Edition Obama/Romney Flip Flop line. The flip flops, which don the faces of both political candidates and seek to make light of their propensity to flip-flop on major issues, will be available from Sept. 15 through the election at all Flip Flop Shops locations nationwide and online at http://www.flipflopshops.com, retailing at $25.

“The national debt has 13 zeros behind it and we have two candidates that can’t take a firm stance on political issues — what better way to address both problems than with some flips flops,” said Darin Kraetsch, the CEO (Size 10) of Flip Flop Shops. “We’re not unilaterally going after either party or candidate. We’re simply calling awareness to these issues in a bipartisan, nonpartisan, and non-party affiliated method.”

In an effort to use “flip-flopping” in a productive way, Flip Flop Shops will attempt to take a decidedly scientific approach to predicting the next president; each week Flip Flop Shops will report a poll on the company’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FlipFlopShopsFanpage), which will show the leading candidate based on purchases.

In addition to the polling, for every pair of political flip flops sold, Flip Flop Shops will also donate $1 to the U.S. Treasury.

“At Flip Flop Shops we’re all about flip-flopping, but we think it should be solely the kind that stay on your feet. This is a fun way to call attention to the fact that both these candidates go back and forth on major issues,” said Brian Curin, the President (Size 10) of Flip Flop Shops. “We’re also helping lower the national debt — if the government can’t do it, at least Flip Flop Shops can help.”

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

Today, Flip Flop Shops has more than 60 locations operating throughout the United States, Canada, Guam, and the Caribbean, with 100-plus shops in the development pipeline.

For more information on Flip Flop Shops visit http://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 SANÜK, OluKai, Quiksilver, ROXY, Reef, Cobian and Cushe. Flip Flop Shops 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. Company 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 60 shops in operation and 100-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 and Nike. The lifestyle franchise is an Environmentally Responsible Retailer(TM) encouraging the nation to Free Their Toes(R). For more information on the franchise opportunity, visit http://franchise.flipflopshops.com/.