the CEO - size 10
Darin Kraetsch
theCEO@FlipFlopShops.com

Kraetsch is a Co-Founder of FFS Holdings, LLC the parent company of Flip Flop Shops Franchise Company, LLC and has been serving as CEO for both since 2007.  The company is the world’s first retail chain exclusive to the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals from big names such as REEF, Sanuk, Flojos, VANS, havaianas, OluKai, Cobian, and O’NEILL. The recipient of the International Council of Shopping Centers’ prestigious “Hot Retailer Award,” Flip Flop Shops began franchising in January 2008 and has already been recognised in the Entrepreneur 500 list as well at the INC 5000. Flip Flop Shops is an Environmentally Responsible Retailer™ and encourages the world to Free Their Toes®.

Kraetsch previously spent over five years as a Co- Founder, Principal and Officer for Raving Brands Holdings LLC, the Atlanta-based leader in the fast-casual dining industry which consists of nine of the fastest growing franchise brands in America. The company was ranked #1 in Fast Casual magazine's "Top 100 Movers and Shakers." The company's flagship brand, Moe's Southwest Grill, a 2005 Inc. magazine Top 25 Company, was rated 6th in Fast Casual magazines "Top 100 Movers and Shakers" and was awarded the prestigious award of "Hot Concepts of the year" from the industries top trade publication, Nations Restaurant News.

Kraetsch is one of the founding Partners of the Raving Brands multi-concept portfolio. Kraetsch brought a tremendous amount of past expertise in helping to create a successful franchise system as the foundation for the explosive growth of this now dominant 800 unit parent company. During his five year career at Raving Brands he served as Executive Vice President and has had direct oversight for the Real Estate and Store Development divisions for all nine brands as well as the company's overall strategic plan. Kraetsch also served as Brand Leader, Franchise Sales Director and assisted in the company's International growth and has co-founded and helped design several of the company's current concepts.

Prior to becoming a Principal with Raving Brands, Kraetsch held several key management positions during the critical start-up phase with Scottsdale, Arizona based franchisor Cold Stone Creamery, Inc. He is credited with being a vital member of the initial start-up team that built the franchise system of this now category leading concept as well as one of the most successful franchise systems in America. Kraetsch has had direct responsibility for training, operations, compliance as well as research and development. Kraetsch was one of the original five partners that helped build this company from the ground up in the mid 1990s. He was also a partner in the first Area Development Company in Southern California as well as an owner of the first store to open in that market. And as Vice President and Principal for the Southeast Area Developer, he was instrumental in introducing Cold Stone Creamery to franchises in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.

Kraetsch earned a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University, and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, International Franchise Association, National Retail Federation, U.S. Green Building Council and has also served on the Nation's Restaurant News Hot Concept "Council of Sizzle." Kraetsch currently lives in Atlanta with his wife and two sons.

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