| SPIN Global | |
| Founded: | in New York City, New York, United States |
| Founders: | Franck Raharinosy, Jonathan Bricklin, Andrew Gordon (executive), Wally Green |
| Hq Location City: | New York City |
| Hq Location Country: | United States |
| Areas Served: | --> |
| 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 |
| Owners: | --> |
| 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]
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[4] (the table tennis bar at this location is now no longer affiliated with the SPIN brand[5]). In 2011, a location opened in Toronto[6] and in 2013 a location (containing a gold-plated ping pong table) opened in Dubai[7] (it later closed due to Dubai's more conservative drinking norms[8]). Further locations have opened (or are planned to open) in Austin,[9] Chicago,[5] Los Angeles,[10] Philadelphia,[11] and San Francisco.[8] As of 2017, there are seven current or planned SPiN locations in the U.S. and Canada.[12]
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)[4] [5] who then play for an hourly cost (or purchase a membership).[6] Location openings have often included celebrity appearances and professional table tennis players.[6] [10] 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.[8]