"Quiksilver and Roxy have supported us from the beginning, and we're stoked to take our partnership to the next level," said Brian Curin, the President (Size 10) of Flip Flop Shops. "Both brands' core values are made up of the same adventurous spirit, passionate approach, and individual expression that are also the essence of the Flip Flop Shops lifestyle. We know our consumers love their footwear, and we're super amped to now carry the product lines in every Flip Flop Shops location worldwide."

Highly selective when naming a new "core brand," Flip Flop Shops kept a keen eye during the past few years on the Quiksilver and Roxy sandal lines sold in selected locations. With both lines growing in popularity and the rapid expansion of Flip Flop Shops in key retail locations, making Quiksilver and Roxy core brands comes as a natural fit. To formally launch the brands, Flip Flop Shops will host a system-wide promotion in July 2012.

"Flip Flop Shops is the ultimate destination for consumers to find the hottest styles of flip flops and sandals under one roof, and we're stoked to now offer our footwear in every location," said John Mills, the Senior Vice President of Quiksilver Sales (Size 13). "Flip Flop Shops understands who we are and what we stand for--we're all about boardriding, independence, creativity and innovation and Flip Flop Shops gets that. It's been refreshing working with them over the past few years and we look forward to many more years come."

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, Quiksilver, Roxy, OluKai, and Cobian, 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.

Today, Flip Flop Shops has more than 50 locations operating throughout the United States, Canada, Guam, and the Caribbean, with 70-plus shops in development.

"Adding Quiksilver and Roxy to our roster of core brands is huge for us," said Alan Woods, the COO (Size 11) of Flip Flop Shops, who noted that both legendary brands have always sold well.

In addition, Jake's Wayback Burgers has 10 stores under construction: Colorado Springs, CO; Hamden, Connecticut; Stamford, Connecticut; Newark, Delaware; Annapolis, Maryland; Brooklyn New York; Voorhees, New Jersey; Salem, New Hampshire; and Matamoras, Pennsylvania.

"Jake's Wayback Burgers is growing very quickly," said Bill Chemero, Executive Vice President, Jake's Franchising, LLC. "We have now awarded franchises in 16 states and are expanding nationally. We plan on having over 200 stores sold by the end of 2012."

Jake's Wayback Burgers serves the best burgers under the bun, hand pattied from 100% fresh, never frozen ground beef and grilled to order. The restaurant offers tasty shakes that are made from real milk and ice cream, served in a frosty metal shaker. Jake's Wayback Burgers menu also features marinated grilled chicken sandwiches, garden burgers, turkey burgers, and house-made chips, BBQ house-made chips, as well as the famous Burger and Shake of the Month.

Launching initially with a microsite dedicated to encouraging guests to share their Smoothie King weight loss success story, the company will then pay it forward by supporting a guest who is struggling in their weight loss journey. Smoothie King will offer struggling guests a variety of 'fit tools' to kick off a year of better health, from a month of personal training to new workout shoes to Smoothie King nutritional retail products like the Lean1 Meal Replacement Tub. Additionally, anyone who submits their story of struggle or story of success and an image to match will receive a free Lean1 smoothie--Smoothie King's latest meal replacement innovation delivering 20-30 grams of premium protein that boosts energy levels and helps burn body fat in three delicious flavors--chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.

"We've always been a company focused on providing accessible, healthy alternatives to the typical meal on the go," said Steve Kuhnau, co-founder and CEO of Smoothie King. "While other smoothie chains continue to introduce less than healthy fare to increase sales, we are remaining true to who we are. Over the course of the year not only will our marketing efforts focus on healthy living but we will also introduce new products that make it easier than ever for our guests to get and stay fit."

"The Iam1 Campaign is an opportunity for us to engage with our guests, and our guests with each other like never before," said Cindy Kuhnau, co-founder and Senior Executive Vice President of Smoothie King. "Weight loss isn't easy--but we are hoping that through our guests testimonials others will be inspired to find solutions that work for them, and will turn to each other (and Smoothie King) for support along the way."

Smoothie King's investment in their guests well being through the Iam1 Campaign will start today with the pay it forward weight loss program running through February 29. The campaign will also be supported on Facebook where fans can show Smoothie King how they plan to be good to themselves in 2012 with a chance to win a year of free smoothies.

FASTSIGNS International Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS® sign and graphics centers, ranked 107 overall, far surpassing all other players in its category. To determine the rankings for all 500 companies, the magazine uses an exclusive formula that takes into account objective and quantifiable factors, including financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system.

"The ranking is a true testament to the tremendous work and success of both our franchisees and our corporate team," said Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS. "Every day, our franchisees help businesses and organizations visually communicate their products, services and philosophies to their clients and employees through a countless array of graphics, visuals and messaging in multiple formats. Being ranked No. 1 in our category is a significant honor."

As the worldwide franchisor and leader in the visual communications industry, FASTSIGNS sign and graphic centers provide marketing and visual communications solutions to any businesses, large and small, across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, education and construction. The FASTSIGNS product line includes signs and graphics - including banners, flags, building signs, digital and electric signs, yard signs, vehicle graphics, labels, trade show exhibits and displays, point-of-purchase signs, and posters - as well as mobile websites, promotional products, printing and other marketing services.

With more than 530 FASTSIGNS sign and graphic centers located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean and Australia, the company opened 20 new locations in 2011 and is expected to finish the year with 27 new franchise agreements signed. Plans for 2012 include 26 new center openings, and FASTSIGNS will finish 2011 with signed deals in untapped markets such as Eatontown and Newark, NJ, Syracuse, NY, Bradenton, FL, Lewistown, ID and Ogden, UT among others. The company will also open its first location in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in Spring 2012.

Adding to the system wide growth is a conversion strategy, in which existing independent sign shop operators partner with FASTSIGNS to reach their full potential and long-term goals through franchising with the brand. In fact, FASTSIGNS has successfully converted several independent sign shops throughout the country to the franchise, including recently signed deals in Kankakee, Ill., Salem, NH, and Springfield, OH, along with its first Caribbean conversion franchise in George Town, Grand Cayman.