Founded | September 17, 2009New York City, New York, United States | in
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Founders | Franck Raharinosy, Jonathan Bricklin, Andrew Gordon (executive), Wally Green |
Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Key people | Pieter Vanermen (CEO), Andrew Gordon (Co Founder), Jonathan Bricklin (Co Founder), Frank Raharinosy(Co Founder), Wally Green(Co Founder), Atanda Musa (Ping Pong Pro), Soo Yeon Lee (brand ambassador) |
Services | Table tennis clubs |
Website | http://wearespin.com/ |
SPiN is an international chain of franchised table tennis clubs and bars. The company was founded in 2009 by Jonathan Bricklin, Andrew Gordon, Franck Raharinosy,[1][2] and Wally Green.[3][4]
The first location of SPIN opened in New York City's Flatiron District on Park Avenue.[1]
The first SPIN franchise outside of New York opened in 2010 in Milwaukee[5] (the table tennis bar at this location is now no longer affiliated with the SPIN brand[6]). In 2011, a location opened in Toronto[7] and in 2013 a location (containing a gold-plated ping pong table) opened in Dubai[8] (it later closed due to Dubai's more conservative drinking norms[9]). Further locations have opened (or are planned to open) in Austin,[10] Chicago,[6] Los Angeles,[11] Philadelphia,[12] and San Francisco.[9] As of 2017, there are seven current or planned SPiN locations in the U.S. and Canada.[13]
Austin which is now closed made way for them to open a location in Boston's Seaport.
The concept of SPIN was inspired by popular table tennis parties (called "Naked Ping Pong") held regularly by SPIN co-founders Bricklin, Raharinosy, and Green along with Kazuyuki Yokoyama.[2] SPiN franchises incorporate full-service bars and restaurants along with their ping pong tables. The ping pong tables can be reserved by customers (including a "center court" table at many locations)[5][6] who then play for an hourly cost (or purchase a membership).[7] Location openings have often included celebrity appearances and professional table tennis players.[7][11] The chain has partnered with organizations such as the Glide Foundation to help provide access to table tennis to youth who might be otherwise unable to play.[9]