Flip Flop Shops Steps In at Top 30 Percent of Inc. 500 I 5000 List

Posted on September 15, 2010 by Jessica Dees

First retail chain exclusive to flip flops recognized for epic growth amongst America’s fastest-growing private companies

ATLANTA – Inc. magazine has ranked Flip Flop Shops in the top 30 percent of the publication’s 500 | 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States.

Ranked at No. 1469 on the list, North America’s first retail chain exclusive to the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals achieved the high rating based on its 196 percent three-year revenue growth rate.

\"We’re totally stoked about our placement on such a prestigious list,\" said Brian Curin, the President (Size 10) of Flip Flop Shops. \"After only franchising for two years, ranking so high on the list is a huge honor! We look forward to inviting more consumers throughout North America to ‘Expose Their Toes’ and moving up the Inc. 5000 list for many years to come.\"

The 2010 Inc. 500 | 5000 is ranked according to percentage of revenue growth when comparing 2006 to 2009. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by June 30, 2006. Additionally, they had to be based in the United States, privately held, for profit, and independent, not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies, as of December 31, 2009.

\"The leaders of the companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 have figured out how to grow their businesses during the longest recession since the Great Depression,\" said Inc. president Bob LaPointe. \"The 2010 Inc. 5000 showcases a particularly hardy group of entrepreneurs.\"

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, VANS, havaianas, OluKai, Cobian and O’NEILL, among others. Their 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.

\"This ranking further validates the epic growth phase we’re having at Flip Flop Shops,\" added Darin Kraetsch, the CEO (size 10) of Flip Flop Shops. \"With more than 70 shops in our system and a steady flow of new shops in the development pipeline, we’re pumped to keep the ‘Free Your Toes’ mentality going strong!\"

Currently, there are more than 25 shops operating and the company’s growth strategy calls for 236 shops to open in select markets by 2013. Today, Flip Flop Shops has locations operating in more than 10 states, Guam and Canada. The company will soon open additional shops throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.