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I don’t know about you, but when I think of July 4th, I think of lounging around the Jersey Shore, wearing a pair of shorts and flip flops. For a few decades now, flips flops have been the footwear of the American summer. So when we heard of a new franchise concept called Flip Flop Shops, it stood out as the kind of franchise perfectly suited to thrive in this economy.

And we’re not the only believers in this franchise. As Jeff D’Arcy from the Allbusiness.com recently wrote, “Flip Flop Shops is the authentic retailer of the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals. It’s more than just a shop they like to say… it’s a lifestyle.” Jeff was so interested in Flip Flops Shops, he invited Brian Curin, president and founder of Flip Flops Shops onto his Franchise Show, one of the top of internet radio shows. Jeff and co-host Christine Mudd talked to Brian about what makes this lifestyle concept and their ‘transparent’ franchise organization. Listen to the interview here. “It’s very rare that you find a business that works, but the stars have aligned for it,” Brian says. Brian also discusses Flip Flop Shops first international store (not to mention its units on the Jersey Shore). If you’re interested in this franchise, we’d recommend you take the time to listen to the interview – audio seems be more direct than the written word at times. Undoubtedly, Flip Flop Shops will be providing foot cover for a lot of holiday-goers this weekend. If you’re ready to open your own Flip Flop Shops franchise, follow this link.

Many people have turned to the franchise business model to start a new career, and former professional athletes are no different. Away from the limelight of the playing field, a variety of athletes, many of them former football players, have done quite well in franchising. There’s even an organization called Franchise Athletes, who try to find franchise opportunities for players. So, with that in mind, we’ve decided to compile our own list of the athletes who’ve scored with franchising- we call it our Franchising All-Stars

Lorenzo Neal: The Fresno State grad has played for six professional football teams and started in Super Bowl 34, but has recently turned to franchising. He’s an investor in Athletic Nation, a no-frills gym where out of work pros can receive intensive personal training.

Lee Woodall: Woodall has a Superbowl ring and a Pro-Bowl appearance on his resume, but one of his greatest career distinctions came off the football field. In 2008, Woodall was named as the first franchise consultant at the Roni Deutch Tax Center.

Nate Wayne: Wayne’s gutsy performances on Monday Night Football earned him the nickname ‘Mr Monday Night’ but these days, he should be known as ‘Mr Franchising’. The retired linebacker owns a Cold Stone Creamery franchise in Atlanta.

Orlando Brown: This huge lineman is probably most famous for being on the receiving end of  a referee’s flag, when he was blinded in one eye in what was of one of the strangest plays in NFL history. Brown was not deterred and now owns a Fatburger franchise in Elkridge, Maryland.

Raheem Black: The Philadelphia native may ply his trade in Indianapolis, but he is keen to give back to his home city. This week, Black opened the first Wingstop restaurant in Philadelphia and currently planning to open two more of the popular wings franchise in the City of Brotherly Love.

Honorable mention:

Franco Harris: Perhaps the most well-known pro-footballer to turn to franchising. The Pittsburgh Steelers great is most famous for his role in the Immaculate Reception, but did you know he owned a handful of Wendy’s franchises in the early-1980s?

Like clockwork, as soon as the calendar starts anew, gyms and fitness centers are met with throngs of new customers, all looking to get fit in the new year.

“Working out more” is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions, so much so that despite the cold and wintry gloom, January continues to be one of the busiest months of the year for fitness franchises.

Economically-speaking, though, 2009 promises to be a different year than any in recent memory, and fitness franchises are no different. Perhaps, in this recession-age, a gym membership will become a luxury that people can no longer afford. But even though the fitness industry has noted a general slump in recent months, creative franchisors are finding new means to bring new customers in.

For instance, gyms in Tyler, Texas, are offering referral discounts of up to six months for every four new customers brought in. Others are offering January discounts. Other fitness franchises have noted a switch towards the most inexpensive athletic centres, like the YMCA, and are accordingly modifying their cost structure.

So while people may put wallets ahead of their fitness this new year, early signs are showing that physical well-being is as important as ever to Americans. Which is heartening news to fitness franchisors or people considering their next franchise investment.