Flip Out owner acquires brand’s global IP portfolio, signs licensing partner, pays down all debt: MFT Capital, the owner of trampoline park business Flip Out, has reported “exceptionally strong” trading since sites reopened and has acquired the brand’s entire global intellectual property (IP) portfolio. The sale of sister brand Boom: Battle Bars to XP Factory, formerly known as Escape Hunt, for £17.38m has also allowed MFT Capital to pay down all debt in Flip Out, including £1.44m of funding through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme received earlier in the pandemic. The deal for Flip Out’s entire global IP portfolio – excluding Australia and New Zealand – gives the company the ability to accelerate growth in existing territories, and a fresh platform to introduce the model to new markets. Flip Out co-owner Richard Beese said: “Mexico is an exciting market for us. We have seven parks in prime locations and are about to open our eighth in Mexico City. It was previously a Sky Zone park, so it’s great to be eating up the competition! This makes Flip Out the largest indoor trampoline park operator in Mexico.” Flip Out has also signed two franchisers for China and also the GCC market, which will inherit existing sites in Saudi and Egypt, with plans to open a minimum of ten new parks in both Asia and the GCC over the next two years. Beese added: “This is a monumental achievement for our business, becoming debt free, purchasing the global rights, having many prime sites lined up for next year and being the clear leader in our field, feels great. We will now initiate our reinvestment strategy into existing sites, as well as investing heavily in marketing initiatives and start to build on the global assets we have purchased to strengthen the Flip Out brand worldwide. Ownership of the entire brand has also allowed Flip Out to sign with one of the UK’s top licensing agencies to finally bring Flip Out to the masses through the likes of apparel, outdoor play equipment, games and more. We are currently talking with a number of leading retailers. Flip Out’s strong brand appeal has been enjoyed by millions and millions of children up and down the country and has become synonymous with edgy, urban, fun. Our clientele can now keep the experience alive with clothes, merchandise, outdoor adventure products and remain immersed in the wild, healthy fun world of Flip Out when at home, school or the outdoors.”