Citing explosive growth in the flip-flop and casual footwear industries, Atlanta-based Flip Flop Shops are expanding into Africa, AtlantaBusinessChronicle reports.

The flip flop company says it will develop 25 shops in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mauritius.

The company announced in January that it had signed a franchise deal with Al Mana Fashion Group to open 50 stores in the Middle East.

“The global footwear market is a nearly $200 billion industry, and the growth within the flip flops and casual footwear segment is explosive,” said Brian Curin, president and co-founder of Flip Flop Shops, according to AtlantaBusinessChronicle. “Flip Flop Shops’ continued expansion into new international markets, including Canada, the Caribbean, the Middle East and now South Africa, is proof positive that consumers worldwide are looking to embrace the lifestyle benefits of more relaxed, casual footwear.”

The expansion is part of a franchise agreement with Barefoot, a retail group in the region, AtlantaBusinessChronicle reports. The first Flip Flop Shops location is expected to open by mid-2014. More are planned throughout the region over the next 10 years, Flip Flop Shops said.

Flip Flop Shops has about 100 locations worldwide and more than 100 shops in development in addition to the Middle East and South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mauritius.