ATLANTA, Aug. 28, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Forget to pack flip flops for your trip to Vegas? Have no fear! The world's leading retailer exclusive to the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals is spreading its Free Your Toes® lifestyle to McCarran International Airport.
Flip Flop Shops and the Ayala's Group announced today a strategic partnership—forming AFFS, LLC—to develop a Flip Flop Shops location inside McCarran International Airport. Opening October 2012 in the D-Gates, the new shop will be the global lifestyle franchise's first-ever airport location.
"We're stoked to bring our Free Your Toes mentality to the airport scene with the Ayala's brand," said Brian Curin, the President (Size 10) of Flip Flop Shops. "As we continue to bring the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals to the masses, airport locations will be a critical driver in our well-managed and surgical growth strategy."
With more than 20 years of experience operating in airports, Ayala's has gained a reputation as a highly-regarded operator of specialty retail shops, news and gift, and food and beverage outlets in the airport environment. Considered one of the industry's most successful and cooperative tenants, Ayala's brands include Moe's Southwest Grill, Freshëns, icandy, Tentation, red, Seattle's Best Coffee and The Candy Shop in McCarran International Airport and Denver International Airport, among others.
"Flip Flop Shops has become a leader in the retail industry by honing in on a segment that was so often overlooked—they're a much needed addition to airport destinations nationwide and we're excited to bring its first airport location to McCarran," said Dan Ayala, the President (Size 10) of the Ayala's Group. "Whether in Vegas for vacation or traveling to a business meeting, you'll find that most travelers pack flip flops. This partnership was a no brainer—while waiting for a flight or on your way out, you can stop to take a mini vacation inside Flip Flop Shops and indulge in all the hottest brands of flip flops and sandals."
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 leading brands, such 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® with the freedom of flip flops on their feet.
"This is quite an epic milestone for the Flip Flop Shops brand," said Darin Kraetsch, the CEO (Size 10) of Flip Flop Shops, adding that expansion into international airports is a huge growth opportunity for the company as it continues to execute its strategic expansion plan both nationally and internationally.
Today, Flip Flop Shops has more than 60 locations operating throughout the United States, Canada, Guam, and the Caribbean, with 100-plus shops in development. Through its well-managed, global-expansion strategy, the brand projects 236 locations to be open or in development throughout select markets by 2013.
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™ encouraging the nation to Free Their Toes®. For more information on the franchise opportunity, visit http://franchise.flipflopshops.com/.
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