Edible Arrangements has been recognizable for its fresh fruit creations since its inception in 1999. Now, the brand is adding a layer with the launch of a quick-service concept called Edible To Go.
Edible To Go was officially introduced in February and features a “grab and go” menu including fruit salads, “Fruithies” (fresh fruit smoothies), FruSundaes, chocolate dipped fruit, parfaits, and natural, freshly-squeezed fruit beverages.
As its sister brand centers on special occasion fruit bouquets often ordered ahead of time (walk-in orders have recently been accepted), Edible To Go is a quick and simple extension of that business and was inspired by a confluence of trends, including an increased demand for healthier food and faster service.
“Consumers are on the go all the time, and they want healthy alternatives when it comes to reaching for a snack or a beverage,” said CEO Tariq Farid. “Unlike other (chains) that would have to introduce fresh fruit to their menus, fruit is the staple of our business. We wanted a menu for grab-and-go items to complement our line of arrangements.”
Adding convenience to speed, the company has focused on opening the cobranded stores at malls and other high-visibility, high-foot traffic areas. These nontraditional locations also generate increased interest in the brands.
“As we grew and evolved our product line, we knew that attracting customers to our actual storefronts was important so they could see our products, sample them and have an amazing shopping experience with us,” Farid said. “These high traffic areas are perfect for the new concept.”
The two brands have different marketing strategies and logos. However, they (for now) coexist under the same roof and pull from each other’s strengths – Edible To Go benefits from its parent company’s brand power, while Edible Arrangements is starting to see new business.
“Being in the quick-serve business has taught us more about providing better, faster service to our Edible Arrangements customers and allowed us to reach new customers,” Farid said. “Our existing customers expect premium quality fruit, so leveraging our fruit expertise into the quick-service concept was a natural progression for our business.”
Such progression came after extensive testing by the research and development team, which experimented with a range of products for the QSR market and eventually decided on all-natural items that don’t stray too far from the original Edible Arrangements concept.
“We settled on the current product line because it stays true to our fresh fruit heritage, yet still offers an exciting variety of snacks and beverages,” Farid said.
Edible Arrangements’ growth led to new concept’s launch
The timing for Edible To Go’s launch was influenced in large part to Edible Arrangements’ overall growth. The company recently turned in its most successful Mother’s Day week to date and recorded another double-digit increase in systemwide sales compared to the same period last year.
Such accomplishments have also provided momentum for an aggressive expansion – the company plans on opening 150 new locations by the end of 2011, and another 200 locations in 2012. These new units will be a cross between standalone Edible Arrangements and those that are co-branded with the To Go concept.
Edible Arrangements began franchising in 2001 and now includes nearly 1,000 locations in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Italy, Turkey, Hong Kong and Jordan.
The new Edible To Go is already offered in the Middle East with “great success,” according to Farid, and is set to grow in Asia and South America.
“Right now, we have great momentum with numerous new store openings on the horizon and are looking to use this success to continue to build the brands,” said Farid. “People all over the world celebrate with food and fresh fruit is a universal language. The Edible Arrangements and Edible To Go concepts are complementary and work beautifully together.”
We have something new in store for moms this year. And if history is any indication, a record number of mothers nationwide will celebrate their special day with our hand-sculpted fresh fruit bouquets! After all, we’ve set Mother’s Day weekend sales records for 11 consecutive years. Plus, in 2012, Edible Arrangements® stores delivered more than 5 million strawberries and over 1 million pineapple hearts for moms, grandmothers, daughters and loved ones across the country.
Our 2013 Mother’s Day gift collection features several new products, including a new ceramic keepsake pitcher. Some of the top Mother’s Day gifts in this year’s offering include our Mother’s Day Bouquet™, Lovely Indulgence™ Strawberries, Blooming Hearts™, and Lovely Daisy™ with Dipped Strawberries.
Mother’s Day Bouquet™
Read more about Mother’s Day at Edible Arrangements® here, and view our entire collection of gifts for Mother’s Day at www.ediblearrangements.com.
Mom’s Day Deserves to be Special
Does your Mom love strawberries, fruit or chocolates? Is there someone special in your life that is celebrating Mother’s Day for the first time? Did you drop the ball and need a last-minute Mother’s Day gift?
Regardless of the reason or interest, Edible offers a creative solution for each and every type of Mom out there!
For example, take care of that strawberry lover in your life with our collection of delicious, delectable strawberry gifts.
“You can choose from a box of chocolate dipped strawberries or a fun and festive arrangement featuring fresh, juicy strawberries combined with other fruit like our signature pineapple daisies, star-shaped pineapple dipped in semisweet chocolate, cantaloupe wedges, honeydew wedges, grapes, and more. All of our chocolate dipped fruits are hand-dipped in real, gourmet semisweet chocolate for an exquisite taste.”
Or is there a special person in your life that acts like your Mom? From aunts to grandma to godmothers, there are plenty of roles women play in our lives that deserve to be acknowledged during Mother’s Day. So, show these women how much your care about the role they play in your life with a meaningful Mother’s Day gift.
“At Edible Arrangements®, we offer a wide selection of gifts for you to choose from, so you can select the perfect gift this Mother’s Day. Choose a delicious arrangement of mouth-watering fruit, including cantaloupe, grapes, and various chocolate dipped fruits. To really wow mom this Mother’s Day, opt for a gift bundle that includes a fresh fruit arrangement and a box of delicious Dipped Fruit™, complete with a cheerful balloon to make her day memorable.”
Finally, did the calendar sneak up on you this year and you need to find a thoughtful gift that doesn’t look like you forgot? Rest assured because when you shop with Edible Arrangements®, we’ll hand-deliver the perfect gift right to the recipient’s door.
“That means you don’t have to worry about fighting traffic, battling fellow shoppers at the mall, or hiding a gift until the perfect moment. Or if you live far from your mom and won’t be able to make a trip to see her in person this Mother’s Day, she’ll feel your love and appreciation from afar when you surprise her with a delicious fresh fruit arrangement delivered right to her door from Edible Arrangements®. All you have to do is browse our collection of cheerful, tasty, and heartfelt Mother’s Day gifts, select the perfect gift for her, and we’ll take care of the rest.”
Every holiday brings another opportunity for us to give our guests the freshest (and tastiest) takes on traditional holiday treats. And this spring, we’re giving families a smart and delicious alternative with our Easter and Passover themed fresh fruit arrangements.
“Our Easter and Passover Collections provide the busy mom or hostess with the perfect finishing touch to a family celebration,” said Edible Arrangements® CEO Tariq Farid. “From a snack for a casual gathering to the centerpiece for a formal dinner, we have an arrangement guaranteed to make Guests say, ‘WOW.’”
Tired of relying on the same Easter gift ideas every year? Looking for a change of pace? Then, you are in luck because our team has some unique (and still delicious) ideas. For example, consider doing something different this year and giving fresh fruit arrangements rather than the usual baskets of candy. It’s a great way to give a sweet Easter gift while providing a healthier alternative to traditional Easter candy.
Plus, with an Easter basket from Edible, you can still provide a personal touch for your friends and family. That little something extra helps make a good impression, while simultaneously recognizing the importance of the holiday. How? A gift from Edible Arrangements® offers a virtually limitless range of options including Easter-themed shapes perfectly arranged in a beautiful display. Finally, for out-of-town family, our Easter delivery options offer a creative space to express your thoughts during the holiday.
More About Edible Passover Gift Ideas
Need some help with Passover gift ideas this year? Well, you are in luck because our team has more than a few ideas.
To start, are you going over a family or friends house for the Passover seder? If so, then think about bringing a Passover gift that everyone can consume during the meal. For example, a bottle of wine or kosher chocolates are common gifts. But, for something a little different, consider an Edible Arrangement. All of our arrangements are handcrafted using only the freshest fruits, and many of our stores are Kosher certified, so you can be sure the gift will be appropriate for the occasion.
In addition to offering a delicious gift, many arrangements also work as a beautiful centerpiece! After all, the occasion only happens once a year, so you want to put your best foot forward.
Finally, like all holiday occasions, don’t forget about the kids. Typically, kids receive some gilt as a common Passover gift. However, if you are looking for something with a little more nutrition, then consider some fresh fruit?! Yes, our boxes of chocolate dipped strawberries are perfect for Passover. Each strawberry is small enough to make a suitable gift for a child while also being delicious and enticing.
Read more about our fresh twist on Passover gifts and Easter baskets and more here.
Christmas is just 4 days away! Are you ready for a sweet time with family and friends? Here are some tips for making it festive and fun.
Presents & Breakfast.
After you work up an appetite opening gifts, plan to sit down to a scrumptious family breakfast. Pancakes or French toast are breakfast favorites that are quick and easy to make on a busy Christmas morning. Add some bacon and a glass of juice and you’re ready to sit down and enjoy the perfect post-madness Christmas breakfast.
Stay away from social media.
Christmas time is best focused on family and friends. So put the phone down (unless you’re calling a loved one) and go build a snowman or play a game with the gang. You don’t need to tell everyone what you got for Christmas this year. (Unless it’s a puppy… then share away!)
Cook ahead!
Are you hosting the family for Christmas dinner? Take a tip from the best clever cooks and prepare ahead. Preparing as much as possible in the days ahead keeps your stress down and eases clean-up as well.
Sweet ending to a magical day.
While you’re primping the house, cooking away, and visiting with loved ones, let us take care of a sweet dessert! We can deliver to you on Christmas Eve so you’ll know dessert is ready for the next day! Make this “The Most Magical Christmas” ever! This arrangement will bring the Holiday cheer and be a beautiful AND delicious focal point for your special day!
Here at Edible Arrangements®, we are all about celebrating what’s good in life, and we like to show that by WOWing our Guests with VIP access to specials, gifts, and other sweet treats through Edible Rewards® — the official Edible Arrangements® loyalty program
Here are the top 3 things you need to know about why Edible Rewards® is so SWEET:
1. Signing Up for Edible Rewards® is Sweet and Simple:
You can sign up for Edible Rewards® online, on the Edible® App, or in store by simply providing your email address and a bit of basic information about yourself. Of course, we’d love it if you’d set up your full online account where you can fill out a full customer profile. Once you’re logged in to your account, you can view “My Rewards,” your order history, gift reminders, and more.
2. Access to Fresh Edible Rewards® Account Features:
By setting up an account, you can update and maintain your personal address book of people you’ll want to send Edible Arrangements® gifts to. Once you save your address and your recipient’s address, the checkout process is a breeze! But that’s not all! You can view your rewards, gift reminder notifications, an overview of your order history, and a list of FAQs to learn more.
3. Fruit Freebies & Other Perks:
Everyone who signs up for Edible Rewards® is eligible to receive exclusive coupons and specials, including a FREE birthday box of chocolate Dipped Fruit™!* You’ll also get a free chocolate Dipped Fruit™ box with every 3rd purchase, VIP gift reminders, and surprise offers. Sounds pretty sweet, huh?
Now that you know all about the sweetest VIP treatment there is, go ahead and sign up! Already a member? Shop our site or download the Edible® App from the App Store or Google Play to place your order and get one step closer to earning your free box of chocolate Dipped Fruit™!
There are so many reasons I love Thanksgiving. At our house, we start the day off putting a huge turkey in the oven to roast. Then, we watch the Thanksgiving parade as amazing smells begin to fill the air. Soon the house is buzzing with activity as preparations for dinner really get underway. Whatever your Thanksgiving traditions include, they are sure to revolve around a special meal shared with friends and family gathered in the spirit of gratitude, because celebrating what’s good in life is what it’s all about!
When I’m hosting Thanksgiving, I love to finish with something unexpected for dessert. After a day of feasting on that turkey and all the trimmings, these Pomegranate Poached Pears with Maple Walnut Mascarpone are a light and surprising alternative to all the traditional pies and cakes. Best of all, they feature our absolute favorite thing here at Edible® — fresh fruit! The recipe is simple to execute, but the presentation is wow-worthy. These can be made up to two days in advance, so you can check dessert off of your holiday hosting to-do list early!
Pomegranate Poached Pears with Maple Walnut Mascarpone
Serves 4
Ingredients You’ll Need:
2 pears, ripe but not soft (Bartlett, Anjou, or Bosc pears all work well)
2 cups pomegranate juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
½ vanilla bean
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole star anise
3 cardamom pods
¼ cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature (substitute cream cheese, if desired)
¼ cup chopped roasted walnuts
1 tablespoon maple syrup
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons pomegranate seeds (optional to garnish)
Steps to Follow:
Carefully peel the pears while leaving the stem intact. Cut them in half, and use a melon baller or sturdy spoon to remove the core from the pear. Set aside.
Using the tip of a sharp paring knife, split the half vanilla bean long ways and use the back of the knife to gently scrape the seeds out. Place the bean and seeds into a medium saucepan. Add the pomegranate juice, sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, and cardamom to the pot, and stir to combine.
Arrange the pears in the pot so that they are fully submerged in the juice mixture, then place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the pears are tender all the way through, when pierced with a toothpick. Turn off the heat and let the pears macerate in the juice mixture for several hours until they take on a nice, red color. Note: If you’re making this recipe days in advance, stop here, place the pears and juice into an airtight container and refrigerate. Before serving, proceed with the remaining steps below.
Uncover the pot and transfer the pear halves to a plate. Reduce the juice mixture over medium heat until it is thickened and reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Strain out the spices.
While the sauce reduces, combine the mascarpone, walnuts, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a small bowl and stir until blended. Set aside.
To serve, place one pear half on a dessert plate or in a shallow bowl, flat side up. Spoon some of the pomegranate syrup around the pear, then spoon two tablespoons of the walnut mixture into the hollow of the pear. Garnish with a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds, if using. Repeat with the remaining pears, and serve.
Mom-isms…those quintessential things you can count on mom to say or do. We all know them (and obviously LOVE them!) We gathered some of our favorites and we simply had to share. Check them out in our collage below!
Make sure to share your favorite Mom-isms on your own social platforms! Tag us @ediblearrangements on Facebook & Instagram, and @edible on Twitter.
Award Recognizes Entrepreneurial Excellence in Retail & Consumer Products Category
Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in hand-sculpted, fresh fruit arrangements, today announced that its CEO and Founder Tariq Farid received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2009 Award in the Retail and Consumer Products category in Metro New York. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Farid was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a gala event at the Marriot Marquis, Times Square, NY on Thursday, June 25th, 2009.
“It’s an incredible honor to be named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young,” said Farid. “Such a distinction would not have been possible without the unyielding dedication of our franchisees and corporate staff. Without them, I would not be receiving this award.”
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards celebrate their 23rd anniversary this year. The program honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptionality in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
“We are proud to recognize the achievements of Tariq Farid,” said Jodi Burns, Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur of the Year Program Director for Metro New York. “Winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year award build leading businesses and contribute significantly to the strength of our region’s economy. Their success helps our area grow stronger.”
As a Metro New York award winner, Farid is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 national program.
Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 14, 2009. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur of the Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors.
In Metro New York, local sponsors include Platinum Sponsors HSBC, Scherzer International and Vintage Filings, Gold Sponsor Curran & Connors and Silver Sponsors Solomon Edwards, WilmerHale and WithumSmith+Brown.
About Edible Arrangements:
Edible Arrangements International, Inc., is the leading purveyor of delicious, high quality, artistically designed, fresh fruit arrangements that are a practical and healthy gift. Founded in 1999 in East Haven, CT. by Tariq Farid, Edible Arrangements earned the 27th spot on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “2008 Hot 100 List of Fastest-Growing Businesses in America.” Farid was also recognized as the International Franchise Association’s Entrepreneur of the Year for 2009. With nearly 900 operating locations worldwide, Edible Arrangements is rapidly expanding across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Italy and throughout the United Arab Emirates.
About Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program
Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® award celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.
June 29, 2009 // Franchising.com // WALLINGFORD, CT
While we do think the Buffalo Wing Bouquet is a wing-ing idea, it’s not actually part of the Edible Arrangements® collection (at least, not yet).
April Fools!
We might’ve been pulling your leg (or wing, in this case) about this new treat, but rest assured that this deal is no joke – order one of our classic (poultry-free) arrangements and save $10 with the code PLAY2017!
Shop Now
What’s the craziest arrangement YOU can think of? We’d love to hear it! Share your idea below for a chance to win our Irresistible Dipped Fruit Trio™!
This prize might not be crispy chicken, but we still think your taste buds will be pleased. After all, you can’t go wrong with fresh fruit covered in chocolate. We’ll send you an email on Monday, April 3 if you’re the lucky winner!
Plan your list of party attendee’s- It is important that you give at least a full month of notice to your soon to be guests. Depending on how old your child is, you may want to invite all of the students in your child’s class. But if they are older, maybe they would prefer to just have some friends from their class, sports team, or club they are a part of. Once you have the list of people you would like to invite, it’s time to pick out those party invitations. Maybe you have a theme for the party that you want to include on the invitation. Once you’ve picked out how many invitations you will need and the style that you would like, it’s time to send them out. Don’t forget to send them out with enough time before the day of the party. By sending out your invitations early, you give your guests enough time to put it in the calendar and make sure they have nothing else on that particular date.
Pick a Theme- Kids parties are always so much fun because they always seem to have a great theme! Maybe your child is obsessed with dinosaurs or maybe they can’t stop singing the songs from the latest Disney Princess movies. Pick a theme that your child loves and have it everywhere at your party. From the table settings on the cups and napkins, to the balloons, and gift bags! Having a theme will make the day really special for your child and all of their friends!
Pumping the Tunes-Since you are going to have a bunch of children running around and having fun, you are going to want an awesome child-friendly playlist! Having a great playlist is the beginning to a great party! So make sure you find the perfect child-friendly mix so that the kids can have a blast!
It’s all about the activities-Today is all about your child and their friends having a really good time! Make sure that you have plenty of activities ready for the kids to do during the day! Maybe you are going the party at a pottery painting place, where they will get to paint something and take it home, or you plan on doing the party at home. If you are hosting the party at your house, make sure that you have some really great games set up outside, like a slip and slide, have a treasure hunt, or have a piñata. Having different activities set up for the kids will keep them busy and it will make it a birthday party to remember!
Create lasting memories- Today is a day that you and your birthday kid will remember for years to come! So make those memories last by taking lots of photos throughout the day! Always remember that years down the road, if you have the photos you can pull them out and look back on that special day especially if it is an important birthday! Such as 1st, 5th, 10th, 13th birthday etc.
Snack time-Every party needs a great selection of food and snacks! It’s always important to have a good array of foods because not everybody may like what you put out. Make sure that you have both child friendly food and of course some food for the parents. A good idea is always pizza, burgers, hot dogs, and finger foods! Also make sure to use unbreakable plates and cups so you don’t have to worry about the kids breaking them by accident and hurting themselves. Plus paper goods come with some really good designs to match your theme!
Our BEST FOR KIDS’ PARTIES!KIDS PARTY FAVORITE includes ourDelicious Daisy® with sweet strawberries, pineapples, honeydew, cantaloupe, grapes and fresh watermelon bites. This arrangement comes with our NEW Chocolate Dipped Signature Berry Box™, and it is like nothing you’ve seen before! This ultra-fun box is designed to look just like our signature chocolate dipped strawberry — so much fun, and functional! Open the strawberry to reveal a tiered serving tray inside, layered with our legendary gourmet semisweet chocolate dipped strawberries. A sweet surprise for any kid’s birthday!
Did you know that behind each Edible Arrangements® store is an amazing Franchisee? Thomas Kelleher, owner of Edible Arrangements #269 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is celebrating 10 years as an Edible Arrangements® franchisee! Stop in to today for fresh fruit gifts and treats!
We are excited to announce the recent opening of a new Edible Arrangements® store in Baoding, China. Edible Arrangements® is experiencing tremendous growth in China. This new location is a step closer to our goal of 1,000 new stores in China by 2020!
Edible Arrangements® has been growing worldwide, and we are excited to announce that we have just opened our 1260th store in Guangzhou, China. This brand new store is our 66th location in China. With the continued expansion, we are working towards our goal of 1000 new stores in China by 2020!
Jeanne Rappa (Pictured Right), Owner of Edible Arrangements® Store #219 Hamilton, NJ
Owning a small business was destiny for Edible Arrangements® Franchisee, Jeanne Rappa. A lifelong New Jersey native, Jeanne came from a long line of entrepreneurs including her parents and grandparents. This month, Jeanne is celebrating 10 years as owner of Edible Arrangements® in Hamilton, NJ.
Jeanne began her career in the US Army, and then spent several years in the programming field working in telecommunications, public utilities and insurance. Destiny stepped in when an Edible Arrangements® fruit arrangement was delivered to a party she was attending. “When I saw the reaction of the party guests to the arrangement, I grabbed the hang tag from the arrangement and called EA Corporate Headquarters. Within 10 days I was at a Discovery Day presentation and I decided immediately that I wanted to be part of this growing enterprise.”
Spotlight: Aislinn A. Smith, Owner Edible Arrangements® #215 Poughkeepsie, NY
Aislinn A. Smith, Owner of Edible Arrangements® #215 Poughkeepsie, NY.
Aislinn Smith and her team at Edible Arrangements® in Poughkeepsie, NY is celebrating 10 years of serving up fresh fruit treats to the Hudson Valley. She was first introduced to Edible Arrangements® when a former colleague ordered an arrangement for an event at the nursing home where she was working at the time. After admiring the response the arrangement got, she started on the road to opening her first Edible Arrangements® franchise in 2005.
The team at Edible Arrangements® of Poughkeepsie was awarded the Edible Arrangements® Northeast Region Pineapple Star Award for exceeding customer expectations and providing superior product quality. Additionally, Aislinn received the Always There Making a Difference Award in 2012 for all of the work she does in the Ulster and Dutchess County communities.
Are you interested in learning more about how you can become and Edible Arrangements® franchise owner? Click here for more information.
Matt and Angela Ramsey, owners of Edible Arrangements® #605 in Fort Collins, CO.
We always love to brag when our Edible Arrangements® family gains amazing new franchisees. That’s why we’re so pleased to welcome Matt and Angela Ramsey as the new owners of Edible Arrangements® store #605 on Fort Collins, CO.
Matt and Angela Ramsey, owners of Edible Arrangements® #605 in Fort Collins, CO.
Matt and Angela both grew up in small towns in Nebraska, but moved to Fort Collins about 10 years ago. Angela previously worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant working mainly with Alzheimer and dementia patients in a nursing home. Matt is a business manager for ADM’s liquid feed business unit and oversees day to day operations of the business unit. They have been married for 20 years and have one son, Ethan who is 16 years old.
Have you ever thought about opening your very own Edible Arrangements® franchise? We would love to hear from you! Click here for more information.
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE ODDS OF WINNING.
Contest is open only to individuals who are legal residents of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia who have reached the age of majority in their state of residence at the time of entry (Entrants). Contest is void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend upon the number of eligible entries received during the Contest Period.
Description of Contest/Participation.
Date of Contest: Contest entries will be accepted between 8:00pm EDT on March 15, 2015 through 12:00 p.m. EDT on March 19, 2015 (the “Contest Entry Period”). The Contest will run from March 15, 2015 and will continue until April 7, 2015 when the winner is announced (“Contest Period”).
How to Enter: At 8:00pm EDT on March 15, 2015, Sponsor will Tweet and post on Sponsor’s Facebook page a request for participants to join the Edible Arrangements® College Basketball Madness pool by creating a bracket through Yahoo! Sports Tourney Pick’em™ game. To participate you must create a fully completed bracket based upon the teams you predict will win each game.
To enter the contest, you must:
have a Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo! account,
“like” and/or “follow” Sponsor’s official Facebook (www.facebook.com/ediblearrangements), Twitter (@edible) (@ediblearrangements) during the Contest Period,
Within the Contest Entry Period, you must create a bracket in the Edible Arrangements® pool pursuant to the Yahoo! Sports Tourney Pick’em™ rules. A link to the Edible Arrangements pool will be provided in the post or tweet and you can create your bracket through your Yahoo! account.
Important Notes:
You will need to create a Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo! account if you don’t already have one. Membership on each platform is free. Registration for Facebook can be obtained by logging on to https://facebook.com; registration for Twitter can be obtained by logging on to https://twitter.com, and registration for Yahoo! by logging on to https://login.yahoo.com.
If your Facebook and Twitter account is set to “protected mode,” your updates/responses may not be visible in Sponsor’s inbox and therefore may not be received by Sponsor unless you previously consented to permit Sponsor to see your updates.
Valid contest entries must contain a fully completed bracket and all other information requested, and not contain any prohibited or unauthorized material, and received by Sponsor by 12:00p.m. EDT on March 19, 2015. Entrant represents warrants and covenants that the Entrant’s use of names, addresses, email addresses, or circumstances and all other information is used with full permission, is true, and does not violate any copyrighted material or third party trademarks or intellectual property. No obscene, offensive, illegal, unlawful, defamatory, derogatory, discriminatory, inflammatory, insulting, or otherwise inappropriate entry, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, is eligible for entry and will not be considered; including, but not limited to, crude, vulgar or offensive language and/or symbols; derogatory characterizations of any ethnic, racial, sexual, religious or other groups; content that endorses, condones and/or discusses any illegal, inappropriate or risky behavior or conduct (including but not limited to the use of alcohol or drugs); personal information of individuals, including, without limitation, names, telephone numbers and addresses (physical or electronic). Bracket names must be appropriate or the participant’s entry will be voided.
There is a limit of one (1) entry per person. Duplicate entries and/or incomplete entries will be disqualified. Anyone found to be using multiple Facebook, Twitter or Yahoo! accounts to enter will be ineligible to participate in the Contest. Use of any device to automate entry is prohibited.
Entrants are subject to Terms of Service and Rules of Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo!, found at their respective Web Sites. The deadline for creation of entrant’s bracket is 12:00 pm EDT on March 19, 2015, and subject to the rules of Yahoo! Sports Tourney Pick’em™ deadlines, which can be found at https://help.yahoo.com/kb/tourney-pickem/deadlines-tourney-pickem-sln6664.html?impressions=true
All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Sponsor is not responsible for entries not received due to difficulty accessing the internet, service outage or delays, computer difficulties and other technological problems. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, illegible, misdirected, or incomplete entries.
In the event of a dispute over who submitted a winning online entry, the authorized subscriber of the Facebook/Twitter/Yahoo! account used to participate in the Contest at the actual time of entry will be deemed to be the Entrant. The authorized account subscriber is defined as the natural person who is assigned a Facebook/Twitter/Yahoo! account by Facebook/Twitter/Yahoo!
Prize(s). One (1) winner will receive an All-Star Basketball Celebration™ arrangement size large with a retail value of $107.56 (US) (values include item cost, shipping, plus delivery and applicable sales taxes). The Prize is awarded if properly claimed according to these Rules and if there are sufficient eligible entries. All other costs and expenses related to Prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided are the sole responsibility of winner. If the winner is disqualified or ineligible, Sponsor may at its discretion determine an alternate winner or decline to award the Prize.The valuation of the Prizes stated above is based on information available to Sponsor at the beginning of the Contest Period. The value of any Prize awarded to a winner may be reported for tax purposes as required by law. Each winner is solely responsible for reporting and paying any and all applicable taxes and expenses related to the Prize which is not specifically provided for in these Rules.
Prize is not transferable, redeemable for cash or exchangeable for another Prize, coupon or voucher except in Sponsor’s sole discretion.
Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a Prize, in whole or in part, with another prize of equal or greater value or alternatively, may substitute such Prize with a comparable prize at the Sponsor’s discretion (including without limitation shipment of a gift box of Dipped Fruit™), if for any reason a Prize should become unavailable, cannot be picked up by the winner, or if the recipient is not within a delivery range of Sponsor’s franchises.
Winner Selection: The entrant with the highest score based upon Yahoo! Sports’ Tourney Pick’em™ scoring system will be named the winner of the Contest. In the event there are more than one entrant with the same “highest” score, Sponsor will randomly select one (1) winning entry from all tied “winning” scores. The winner will be notified via a personal post from Sponsor on the social media platform used by the winner to submit the entry (the “Notification”), which Notification will contain instructions to email Sponsor to claim the Prize. Notification is deemed to have occurred immediately upon sending of the communication by Sponsor. The winner must respond to the Notification with his or her email address by no later 12:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday April 15, 2015, to be eligible for the Prize, and Sponsor will then send the winner instructions and forms to be completed to claim the Prize. The winner must be available to have his or her Prize delivered or picked up by April 30, 2015. If the winner is not available to accept delivery or pick up his or her Prize by the specified date, such winner may be disqualified and Sponsor reserves the right to choose an alternative Prize winner. The winner must provide eligibility information prior to being awarded the Prize. If a winner does not respond to Sponsor’s contact attempts for Prize awarding, or if a winner otherwise fails to comply with these Rules, Sponsor reserves the right to determine an alternate winner or not to award that winner’s Prize, in its sole discretion. All Prizes are awarded “as is” and without any warranty of any kind, express or implied (including, without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose), and all such warranties are hereby disclaimed. Sponsor is not responsible for an Entrant’s change of email address. Sponsor is not obligated to telephone winner, leave a voice mail, answering machine or other message. Sponsor is not responsible for and not liable for late, misdirected or unsuccessful efforts to notify a qualifier or potential winners or deliver the Prize, or if the potential winner does not claim the Prize within the appropriate time given upon notification. All decisions of Sponsor are final. By participating in the Contest, Entrant agrees to be bound by these Rules; that the decisions of Sponsor are final on all matters relating to the Contest; that Entrant is not entering on behalf of anyone else; and in the event that Entrant does not comply with these Rules, then Entrant will be disqualified.
Eligibility and Limitations. The potential Prize winner may in Sponsor’s sole discretion be required to sign and return a declaration of eligibility and any other forms necessary to verify eligibility, along with any other information and releases within forty eight (48) hours after the first delivery attempt to Entrant’s e-mail address in order to receive the Prize, unless otherwise stated herein or at the time of notification. The potential Prize winner’s failure to follow all instructions and complete and return all required forms within this time period may result in disqualification and an alternate winner may be selected in Sponsor’s sole discretion. Employees of Sponsor and its affiliates, or an Edible Arrangements® franchisee, their respective immediate family members, and members of their households are not eligible to participate or win.
Tampering and Delivery Disclaimer. Sponsor, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify and prohibit any person from participating in the Contest if Sponsor determines (in its sole discretion) that the person is or is attempting to: (i) tamper with Sponsor’s social media page and/or any part of the Contest; (ii) undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest by cheating, deception, or other unfair playing practices, (iii) annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any one; and/or (iv) otherwise violate these Rules. Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages and any other available remedies from any such person(s) responsible for any such attempt to the fullest extent permitted by law. Each Entrant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Sponsor, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo!, any Edible Arrangements® franchisee (and their respective employees, agents, officers, directors, employees, agents, licensees, associates and affiliates from and against any and all claims, losses, damages and/or liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) that may be asserted against or incurred by any of them at any time, in connection with the Entry and/or by Entrant’s or the recipient’s breaches of any representation, warranty or covenants associated with this contest. In the event of termination of the Contest by Sponsor, Sponsor reserves the right to award any Prize(s) in a manner deemed fair and equitable by Sponsor. In no event will the type and quantity of Prizes awarded exceed the number or value of Prize described in these Rules.
Publicity; Use of Personal Information. By participating, where allowed by law, Entrants grant Sponsor permission to use their names, characters, photographs, entries, voices, and likenesses in connection with promotion of this and other contests and waive any claims to royalty, right, or remuneration for such use. By participating in the Contest, where allowed by law, Entrants agree that Sponsor may use such information for marketing purposes, and may include the names of winners in a publicly available winners’ list.
Releases and Conditions. By participating in the Contest or accepting a Prize, each Entrant and winner waives and unconditionally releases any and all claims of liability against Sponsor, each Edible Arrangements® Franchisee, Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo!, and their respective employees, agents, officers, directors, employees, agents, licensees, associates, and affiliates for any injury, loss or damage which may occur from the conduct of, or participation in, the Contest, or from the Prize receipt and/or use or misuse of any Prize, including any travel related thereto. Winner agrees to allow Sponsor to use Winner’s names, voices, photographs, likenesses, biographical material, in any advertising or broadcasting material relating to this contest, without additional financial or other compensation, and where allowed by law, sign a publicity release confirming such consent prior to acceptance of the Prize. Sponsor is not responsible or liable to any Entrant or winner or any person claiming through such Entrant or winner for failure to supply the Prize or any part thereof, by reason of any acts of God, any action, regulation, order or request by any governmental or quasi-governmental entity (whether or not the action, regulations, order or request proves to be invalid), equipment failure, air raid, blackout, act of public enemy, earthquake, volcanic eruption, war (declared or undeclared), fire, flood, epidemic, explosion, unusually severe weather, hurricane, embargo, labor dispute or strike (whether legal or illegal) labor or material shortage, transportation interruption of any kind, work slow-down, civil disturbance, insurrection, riot, or any other cause beyond the Sponsor’s sole control. All taxes (other than the state sales tax associated with the Prize, if any), related fees, other costs and expenses related to Prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided are the sole responsibility of Prize winner. Sponsor has no further obligation to winner. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with; Facebook, Twitter or Yahoo! Entrant affirmatively releases Yahoo!, Facebook, and Twitter from any and all claims related to the promotion. Entrant is providing entry information to Sponsor and not Facebook, Twitter or Yahoo!
Edible Arrangements® Founder and CEO Tariq Farid recently made a generous donation to the North Haven Fire Department, providing the department with a check for $12,000 to purchase a brand new jaws of life.
Tariq’s connection with the local community is something he, as well as Edible Arrangements® and its employees, take great pride in. He consistently demonstrates his appreciation for all the work and support local organizations provide the community, and knows that it takes a combination of belief and trust of all local business to build a tight knit community.
“We live in this great town; we are very successful in this state, and there is a responsibility with this success to make sure you are on the lookout that the local fire department and the residents may have,” said Tariq. “It’s an honor to help and it’s the right thing to do.”
Press Release
For Immediate Release
November 26, 2014
For more information:
Anna Mariotti
amariotti@edible.com
(203) 774-8238
(Wallingford, CT) – Edible Arrangements® announced today it has created a fruit arrangement exclusively for Taste of Home, the world’s largest food and entertaining magazine.—
“As the originator and industry leader of delicious, healthy and creatively designed fruit arrangements, we are thrilled to provide an exclusive arrangement at a special price for the Taste of Home audience,” said Tariq Farid, founder and CEO of Edible Arrangements. Offered at $10 savings, the exclusive Taste of Home arrangement is a sumptuous fruit bouquet overflowing with gourmet chocolate dipped pineapple daisies, strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe and honeydew, along with apple bits dipped in decadent semisweet chocolate with white swizzle.
“People who love delicious, healthy food and home entertaining are sure to appreciate Edible Arrangements’ visually stunning arrangements that are delicious yet healthy,” explained Robert Price, President of Edible Arrangements. “Creating an arrangement for the Taste of Home audience is a natural fit.”
The Taste of Home arrangement will be available on the Taste of Home website starting today.
ABOUT EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS®
With more than 1,200 franchise locations open or under development worldwide, Edible Arrangements International, LLC is the world’s largest franchisor of shops offering creatively designed fresh cut fruit arrangements. Select Edible Arrangements® locations also carry the company’s rapidly expanding Edible To Go® line which features all-natural, fresh fruit smoothies, dipped fruit, fresh squeezed lemonade and orange juice, and fresh fruit salads, sundaes and parfaits and treats. Since its founding in 1999 in East Haven, Connecticut, the company has been recognized as an industry leader, ranking first in its category in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500,” Entrepreneur’s Top 40 of “Fastest Growing Franchises” and “America’s Top Global Franchises” as well as being included for eight consecutive years among the “Inc. 5000” list of the fastest growing privately-held companies. Edible Arrangements® fresh fruit bouquets, chocolate DippedFruit®, Fresh Fruit Smoothies and other products can enjoyed at any of the 1,200 franchise locations worldwide. Gifts can be ordered online at www.edible.com and by telephone at 1-877-DO-FRUIT. EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS® and other trademarks noted are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements, LLC.
We are proud to announce that we have moved our food handling training program to the next level by partnering with the National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe® training program. Beginning in October 2014, the ServSafe® curriculum for Food Handler training and certification will be used for thousands of Edible Arrangements® franchisees and store employees at approximately 1,100 Edible Arrangements® locations across the United States. ServSafe® is the industry leader in safe food handling with standards based on the Food and Drug Administrations’s (FDA) Food Code.
“At Edible Arrangements® we take pride in the fact that we offer a healthy, superior product so it makes sense that we also employ the best in safe food handling training to our thousands of franchisees and store employees,” state Tariq Farid, Founder and CEO of the company.
The ServSafe Food Safety Training Program provides current and comprehensive educational materials to the restaurant industry. More than 5 million food service professionals have been certified through the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Exam. ServSafe® training and certification is recognized by more federal, state and local jurisdictions than any other food safety certification.
Jeff Conway, Edible Arrangements’® Director of Training and Guest Experience, agreed, noting that, “We are always looking for ways to ensure the optimal experience and quality for our Guests. Moving our food safety program to the National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe program is the industry leader in providing the best training in safe food handling and will ensure that the very best standards are employed consistently across all Edible Arrangements locations.”
Better Connecticut's Scott Hanney and Edible Arrangements' Product Development Chief, Olivia Dupin
Edible Arrangements® very own Product Development Chef, Olivia Dupin, stopped by WSFB Channel 3’s Better Connecticutthis week to whip up some festive fruit dips inspired by the flavors of fall. Naturally, Olivia’s fruit dips are an amazing complement to Edible Arrangements® fruit bouquets. These super simple recipes only include 3 ingredients and make the perfect addition to autumn gatherings or for an indulgent afternoon snack! Check out the full clip here and scroll down to view the full recipes.
Better Connecticut’s Scott Hanney and Edible Arrangements’ Product Development Chef, Olivia Dupin
Pumpkin Spice Whipped Cream
2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon honey
1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
Place the heavy cream and honey into a bowl. Using an electric mixer, whip the cream on high until soft peaks form. Sprinkle in the pumpkin pie spice and continue to whip until stiff peaks form. Transfer into a serving bowl and serve cold with fresh fruit for dipping.
Cinnamon, Almond, and Maple Dip
1/3 cup maple syrup
2/3 cup almond butter
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1-2 tablespoons of water, if needed
In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the maple syrup, almond butter, and cinnamon. Stir until all ingredients are warmed through and thoroughly blended. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water to thin the dip, if needed. Transfer into a serving bowl and serve warm with fresh fruit for dipping.
White Chocolate Ricotta Crème
¾ cup ricotta cheese
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¼ cup white chocolate chips
In the bowl of a mini food processor, combine the ricotta and vanilla extract. Pulse until smooth and creamy.
Meanwhile, place about 2 inches of water in a saucepan or double boiler, bring to a low simmer. Place the white chocolate into a bowl and place on top of the pan of simmering water, and stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
Transfer the melted chocolate to the food processor with the ricotta mixture and process until thoroughly combined, and smooth. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve cold with fresh fruit for dipping.
When hiring new talent for your company, proper onboarding starts before a new employee’s first day. Many organizations discuss the cost of hiring talent, but we often forget to focus on the value of retaining and growing that talent. So when does the focus on retention begin? It actually starts long before the employee walks in the door for their first day.
Here are a few tips on how to sweeten up the onboarding process for new employees:
1) The offer letter. Does your company call the candidate before the letter goes out to inform them that the letter is on its way? This helps gauge the candidate’s true interest and provides them the opportunity to voice any concerns. During this call you can also test the offer by sharing some of the details. This way if the offer is not in line with expectations it can be addressed before the offer letter is ever received.
2) How is the offer delivered? One of my best memories was receiving my offer from a small start-up based in CT. It arrived via FedEx. When I opened the box I found a beautiful company branded Portfolio case. Upon opening the portfolio, I discovered my offer letter. My tenure at this company was 10 years and it all started off on the right foot thanks to that simple gesture.
Delicious Fruit Design®
3) How do you confirm your commitment and excitement of having someone join your team before their first day? Why not send something the Friday before they join (most employees tend to start on a Monday). Several companies work with Edible Arrangements® when onboarding a new employee. Nothing says celebration or “WOW” like a fruit arrangement or Chocolate Dipped Fruit™.
4) Day and week one should be filled with planned introductions. The persons work space should be ready to go and lunches should be planned during their first week to ensure they can make new friends, meet management and network with others on the team.
After that, it’s about the experience you provide your new employee. The Bureau of Labor reported in their JOLTS report that the separations rate in July 2014 was 3.3 percent. How is your company performing against this national average? Remember, you only get one shot to make a first impression. Make your new employees say “WOW”.
Edible Arrangements® is proud to announce our membership into the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior (SNEB), the leading organization of nutrition educators in the US and worldwide. This coincides with the announcement of our healthy, all-fruit alternatives to cakes and cookies for in-school celebrations. In addition, our 1,200 U.S. franchisees will also be offering discounted products to schools.
Happy Birthday Pineapple Pops™
Our fresh fruit Edible Pops™ are a healthy and fun way to celebrate classroom birthdays or in-school holiday parties. They come in a variety of kid-friendly shapes that will spark the imagination and encourage kids to snack on fruit more regularly. “Exposing children to the benefits of enjoying fresh fruit on a regular basis can help develop healthier habits for life,” said Edible Arrangements’ President Rob Price. “Our membership with SNEB is a step in providing other ways to get everyone to incorporate healthier eating in their celebrations.”
To help kick-off this initiative we’re offering 50% off our pineapple Edible Pops™ to any teacher who is purchasing for a classroom when they show their faculty I.D. in-store. In addition, we’ll also make nutrition education resources available to educators to help reinforce healthy eating in the classroom. Offer is valid for in-store pick up only, so find your local Edible Arrangements® store here and stop by or call to place your classroom order today!
One of my great pleasures as the CEO of Edible Arrangements® is the opportunity to recognize the outstanding achievements of our franchisees.
Each year, as I join the management team in presenting the awards at our international convention, I continually marvel at the diversity of our franchisees and their backgrounds, yet how all share a deep passion for their business and their customers.
This year’s convention reminded me again how blessed I am to be able to share this opportunity with so many wonderful people.
Because we have so many extraordinary franchisees, it is always difficult to decide who deserves to be recognized for their achievements. I wish I could recognize them all.
But there are a special few who make you say “WOW.” These franchisees are shining examples of the Edible Arrangements spirit, going above and beyond to deliver an unforgettable Edible Arrangements experience for their guests. And I want to publicly recognize and congratulate this year’s winners.
Edible Arrangements® President Robe Price joins me in presenting the Franchisee of the Year Award to Pamela and Jeffrey Shirk
Our Franchisees of the Year are Pamela and Jeffrey Shirk, who have locations in Lebanon, Lititz and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Pamela and Jeffrey represent everything that is great about our franchise system. Their enthusiasm, commitment to customer service and desire to succeed have made them model franchisees and among our most successful in the world.
International Franchisee of the Year Jianyi Wang
Our International Franchisees of the Year are Jianyi Wang and Zhigang Liu, who operate franchises in China and are among the most enthusiastic brand ambassadors a company could have.
Kathryn and Jeffrey Good receive their Guest Services Award
Our Guest Service Award was presented to Jeffrey and Kathryn Good of Lafayette, Indiana. They were nominated by fellow employees because they exemplify the best of Edible Arrangements and they ALWAYS have a WOW attitude.
Each year we also present Pineapple Star awards to a franchisee in each region of the country. The award recognizes franchise owners who excel in sales, local store marketing and delivering service with a WOW attitude. This year’s recipients were:
Lita Heckler with her Pineapple Star Award
Mid-Atlantic Region — Lita Heckler, who operates stores in Camp Hill and York, Pennsylvania.
Pineapple Star Award winner Nicholas D’Alleva
Northeast Region — Nicholas and Emma D’Alleva, who have Edible Arrangements in Beverly, Lynn and Peabody, Massachusetts.
Pineapple Star Award winner Linda Ekendahl
Midwest Region — Linda Ekendahl, for her location in Elmhurst, Illinois.
Pineapple Star Award winner Joshua White
Central Region — Joshua White, Jeffrey Sanders and Ronald Vaughn of Tulsa and Owasso, Oklahoma.
Pineapple Star Award winner Ibrahim and Hashim Choudhry
West Region — Ibrahim and Hashim Choudhry, who have one of the most successful collection of stores in the system, located in Laguna Hills, Fontana, Claremont, Moreno Valley and Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Canada — Jovita and Gerardo De La Torre of Guelph, Ontario.
In an emotional moment for everyone, Chet Koch receives his Pineapple Star Award
Southeast Region — Chet Koch and his late wife, Jean, who operate stores in Southaven and Olive Branch, Mississippi. In one of the most moving moments of the convention, Chet received a standing ovation from the more than 700 Edible Arrangements franchisees in attendance as he accepted the award and remembered his wife among a tearful crowd who remembered her as a beloved member of the Edible Arrangements family. Jean passed away earlier this summer. She was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce and served on the local high school Parent Teacher Association (PTA). She was described by her fellow employees as a star.
The Outstanding My Store Marketing award went to Rory, Hillary and Seth Friedland of Plainview, Port Washington and Hicksville, New York. They simply excel when it comes to sales, local store marketing and delivering service with a WOW attitude.
Ted and Deborah Kostisin receive their award for Best Multi-Unit Owners
The Best Multi-Unit Owner was presented to Ted and Deborah Kostisin, who have six locations in Providence, Warren, Cranston and Smithfield, Rhode Island, and South Attleboro, Massachusetts. They are a perfect example of what can be accomplished when you take advantage of proven systems and processes to build a chain of businesses.
Manager of the Year Bethanni Langdon
The Manager of the Year was Bethanni Langdon of our Austin, Round Rock, Corpus Christi and Cedar Park, Texas locations. Bethanni exemplifies what it means to “take care of customers.” A story was shared in which she made an impression on one special guest who visited her store. The guest tearfully discussed buying arrangements to thank the staff of the animal hospital that treated her yellow Labrador Retriever that had passed away the previous week. The customer’s grief and heartfelt conversation stayed with Langdon and she sent a personal arrangement to the family, leaving them in awe.
Rookies of the Year Megan and Richard Revels
The Rookie of the Year award went to Megan and Richard Revels, who opened their Winter Haven, Florida, store in October. From the start the Revels have proven to be exceptional operators with their “never-say-no” attitude that has already generated great customer and employee feedback.
Randy Taylor accepts his Delivery Ambassador Award
Delivery Ambassador of the Year was Randy Taylor of Rochester, New York, who was nominated by fellow employees for his leadership and for always going the extra mile. They shared a story of how, while making a delivery to an elderly woman, he put the arrangement in the refrigerator for her because he knew it was too heavy for her to lift.
Our Social Media Superstar was Prashant Patel of Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, who continually amazes us and gives us creative ideas.
WOW Award winner Vikki Brown
Vikki Brown of Farmington and Lake Orion, Michigan, received the WOW Award. This is one of our most prestigious honors and is presented to the owner of an Edible Arrangements franchise that works to better the brand as a whole. Vikki was recognized as a true “Fruit Expert®,” always bringing helpful thoughts and ideas to the corporate team that benefit the entire organization. One of her ideas was the fruit truffle challenge that took her community by storm this summer.
Of course running a business is ultimately about sales, and our franchisees continued to demonstrate exceptional results:
Highest Sales: 0 -24 months — Limor Ziarno and Sylvia Uziel of Brooklyn, New York.
Highest Sales: 24 – 36 months — Limor Ziarno and Sylvia Uziel of Howard Beach, New York.
Highest Sales: 36+ months — Robert and Moses Mignosi of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Highest Sales: Valentine’s Day — Robert and Moses Mignosi of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Highest Sales: Mother’s Day — Ibrahim and Hashim Choudhry of Moreno Valley, California.
Our Vendor of the Year was burton + BURTON. The success we have enjoyed over the years would never have been possible without such great business partners.
Jennifer Brown was my very-deserving selection for this year’s Chairman’s Award
Finally, I presented my Chairman’s Award to Jennifer Brown, who has locations in Grapevine, Fort Worth, Irving and Grand Prairie, Texas. This is considered the most prestigious award and is given to an Edible Arrangements franchise owner who I feel best exemplifies the Edible Arrangements brand and has a strong entrepreneurial drive that brings the company to the next level.
Jennifer continually inspires me with ideas and actions for where we want to take the Edible Arrangements brand. She always has a positive and helpful attitude and is loved in the community, supportive of all of her fellow franchisees and could not be more deserving of this award.
Congratulations to all of these exceptional award recipients and to ALL our Edible Arrangements franchisees, who made the past year one of the most successful in our history. I am continually inspired by all of you.
I close with a few more highlights from another inspiring convention.
Franchise Business Leader Jeffrey LarsonEdible Arrangements® franchisee Scott GreenbergFranchisee Ron TaylorFranchisee Leslie Robinson
In a recent interview, our Founder and CEO Tariq Farid sat down with Sales Bench™ to discuss how Edible Arrangements® has been able to brand itself so incredibly well in such a short 15-year time span. Tariq’s keen interest, willingness to learn from, and eventual membership in the International Franchise Association® (IFA), has been instrumental in helping him make smart, successful decisions over the years.
Established in 2013 by Tariq Farid, the founder and CEO of Edible Arrangements®, the Tariq Farid Foundation is a philanthropic, non-profit corporation providing support for worthwhile causes in the US and throughout the world.
The mission of Tariq Farid Foundation is to alleviate suffering by providing for the basic needs of food and healthcare, and to improve lives through the support of education and skill development opportunities that enable individuals to reach their full potential.
Edible Arrangements® franchisees Jodi and Kathy Bermel were recently a focus in The Des Moines Register’s weekly segment, Local Business Spotlight. The feature, which typically interviews successful local businesses within the Des Moines, IA surrounding areas, highlights the duo’s business, from the various types of fresh fruit used, to the Edible to Go point of difference they offer in their West Des Moines location.
At Edible Arrangements,® fresh fruit is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we’re proud to feature products with your heart in mind too! Did you know that raspberries are one of the best foods for heart health? That’s right! Raspberries have natural antioxidants, fiber and potassium which have all been proven to lower the risk of heart disease. In fact, The Cleveland Clinic has named raspberries one of the 40 top foods for heart health. Raspberries may be one of the smallest fruits we feature, but they pack a big punch!
Our New Raspberry Fruit Truffles® feature raspberries delicately placed in the middle of our semisweet chocolate topped with white drizzle. These bite-size truffles have big flavor with the combination of fresh raspberries and chocolate. Stop by your local Edible Arrangements® location and ask to try a free sample, or dig your teeth in to our Swizzle Raspberry & Pineapple Fruit Truffles® box at a special introductory price of $39. Click, call or stop by any of our 1,200+ locations today to order!
Thanks to its recent partnership with Edible Arrangements®, the available options for guests shopping at Hospital Gift Shop (HospitalGiftShop.com) have grown substantially! Those in need of a delivery for a special someone can now find some of our favorite fresh fruit and dipped fruit offerings on the company’s website, which serves as a delivery service of gifts to over 8,000 hospitals across the United States and Canada.
Recovering from illness? Choose Edible Arrangements®. Celebrating the birth of a newborn? Choose Edible Arrangements®. Want to say thank you to that special nurse or doctor? Choose Edible Arrangements®!
Feel Better With Fruit
So whether in sickness or in health, find your next purchase on HospitalGiftShop.com and be sure to read the full press release here.
Edible Arrangements® was a proud participant at the Connecticut Food Bank’s ground breaking ceremony on Friday, June 6th, as the organization kicked off the construction of its new distribution center in Wallingford, CT. The building will serve as Connecticut Food Bank’s new home, and will help the organization gain efficiency as it distributes food to nearly 700 local food pantries statewide.
Edible Arrangements® is really picking up some speed! We’re so excited to be featured on the No. 1 Cessna Edible Arrangements Chevrolet SS driven by Jamie McMurray at the Poconos this Sunday, June 8. The Edible Arrangements® logo will be featured on the rear bumper of the car as Jamie McMurray races around the track.
No. 1 Cessna, Edible Arrangements® Chevrolet SS
And we’re not the only ones who are looking forward to Edible Arrangements® professional racing debut. Driver Jamie McMurray said, “I am excited to have Edible Arrangements on our car this weekend. I’m a big fan! I have ordered and received their arrangements for gifts and special occasions many times. I think it is a really exciting way for Cessna to leverage their partnership with our team to have their customers be a part of the team.”
Jamie McMurray and the No. 1 Cessna 2014 car
We know some of our fruit fans are also racing fans so we’ve also got a sweet contest planned just for you! Simply follow @edible on Twitter starting at 8am on Sunday June 8, 2014, and we’ll post a special race day hash tag. Tweet us using the hash tag, and you’ll be automatically entered to win an autographed Jamie McMurray photograph and a small Delicious Celebration® Dipped Strawberries & Pineapple.
We’ll be bringing you live updates and pictures from race day on Sunday, June 8.
“Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram by searching @ediblearrangements.
Today it is our pleasure to introduce Robert Price as the new President of Edible Arrangements®. This is an incredibly exciting time for the company. As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, we also are embarking on an era that promises dramatic growth opportunities. A lot of our focus over the past year has been on putting the pieces in place that will allow us to take full advantage of these new opportunities. The addition of Rob, with his experience and expertise, significantly enhances the talented leadership team we have in place.
Rob comes to Edible Arrangements® with more than two decades of marketing and brand building experience at some of America’s most highly regarded retailers. He most recently served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for CVS/pharmacy, where he led all marketing, advertising, sales promotion, e-commerce, customer insights, store design and customer loyalty programs for the 7,400-store pharmacy chain.
During Rob’s tenure at CVS/pharmacy, the company:
• Grew retail revenue over $20 Billion.
• Increased membership in the company’s loyalty program to 69 million households.
• Drove personalization through new mobile tools, more effective e-mail marketing and the first-of-its-kind personalized digital weekly advertising circular.
• Nearly doubled online sales and drove a tenfold increase in mobile engagement.
• Introduced a new store prototype with data-driven variations based on local market conditions.
Rob’s experience also includes leadership positions with convenience retailer Wawa Food Markets and the H-E-B Grocery chain. He also worked for the parent company of Hardees and Roy Rogers restaurants. Rob began his career at The Monitor Company, a management consulting firm.
Rob graduated from Cornell University with a BS in Applied Economics and earned an MBA from the Harvard Business School with high academic distinction. He is also a member of the 2012 class of Henry Crown Fellows at the Aspen Institute, an honor given to just 21 people in the country each year.
On a personal note, Rob and his wife, Sue, have three sons — Sam (16), Max (14) and Jack (12) – and recently celebrated their 20th anniversary.
Rob shares our passion for the importance of creating a culture of service, innovation and collaboration. Like us at Edible Arrangements®, he has retail in his blood. His grandparents and great grandparents were shopkeepers, and his personal retail experience includes time on the front line. We have no doubt that Rob’s experience and skills are a perfect match for our leadership needs as we embark on this exciting new era of growth.
Edible Arrangements® founder and CEO Tariq Farid has officially announced the re-launch of his blog, tariqfarid.com. There, Farid plans to routinely share some of his own entrepreneurial insights for today’s hardworking, business-minded individuals, and provide updates on the latest happenings and developments at Edible Arrangements®.
As the founder and leader of a brand that has achieved phenomenal success, with over 1,100 stores around the world and over $500 million in sales in 2013, it’s without question Farid has a great deal of knowledge to share!
The winter holiday season has officially begun! And to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, we are proud to present our most recent feature commercial; a frosty, fruit-filled Winter Wonderland. From evergreen trees made of Granny Smith apple wedges, to sweet pineapple gingerbread men dipped in gourmet semisweet chocolate, this artfully crafted scene is full of some of our season’s most festive fruit offerings.
Edible Arrangements Fruit World
Crafted by internationally-recognized foodscape photographer Carl Warner, our Winter Wonderland gives our guests a fresh look at the individual pieces of fruit that combine to make our SWEET and FRESH arrangements. Pineapple doves dipped in white chocolate and our popular Swizzle Berries™ lead eyes down the coconut-snow lined path, towards a cozy log cabin constructed of cinnamon sticks. Cinnamon chocolate apple wedges, chocolate dipped strawberries with coconut, sweet pineapple stars and grapes round out the decorative scene (which took Carl Warner and team over 12 hours to shoot).
Holiday House Bouquet™
With over a decade of foodscape photography under his belt, Warner’s ability to organize each particular item in its precise spot, find the proper lighting, and make the fruit come to life is truly an art form. And to think, he did it all while ensuring that his hot photography lights didn’t melt our precious chocolate covered fruit!
Be sure to check out Edible Arrangements® and Warner’s collaborative commercial, and take care to view our full Christmas and New Year’s Holiday Collections.
We believe the start of the New Year is always the perfect time for something fresh. So, we’re kicking off 2013 with some all-new fresh fruit gifts, available for a limited time only. This year, we’ve expanded our seasonal Pear Collection, adding even more fresh fruit arrangements and gourmet chocolate dipped fruit boxes. Every fruit bouquet and box in the collection features a winter fruit favorite: crisp, Anjou pears dipped in gourmet chocolate!
(Plus, our guests can choose to add 8 or 16 chocolate dipped pears to any other arrangement at checkout as a special, limited time, add-on, too!)
As we like to say, it’s truly the perfect way to treat your senses to a mini, winter-weather escape, and indulge your taste buds a little slice of PEARadise!
Our seasonal Pear Collection is available only until March 31.
At Edible Arrangements®, we truly appreciate the bravery, commitment and sacrifice of the military men and women who serve our country. We believe so strongly in these remarkable servicemen and women that we recently announced a major initiative in collaboration with the International Franchise Association (IFA), starting with a donation of $125,000 to the IFA’s VetFran program.
And, we’re also excited to announce that we’ll be launching our new “Hero’s Welcome” program this year! This program will help veterans become Edible Arrangements® franchisees, including specialized training, a franchise fee discount, and mentoring from existing Edible Arrangements® franchisees who are also veterans. In addition, we’ve set a goal of providing job opportunities and a career path for an additional 1,000 veterans throughout our franchise locations nationwide!
“The brave men and women of our military are the ones who have made it possible for each of us to enjoy the American Dream,” said Edible Arrangements® CEO Tariq Farid. “I believe it is our obligation to help those who have sacrificed so much by doing what we can to give them the tools and support to achieve that dream themselves.”
Read more here, or for more information on Edible Arrangements® franchise opportunities for veterans, contact us!
With its launch in the summer of 2012, our Cupcake Collection has quickly gained recognition and praise as one of Edible Arrangements® most successful product launches in company history. Check out our Confetti Fruit Cupcake™ arrangement recently featured in Times Square!
Cupcake Collection Featured in Times Square, NYC
“We knew the Cupcake Collection would be popular, but it has surpassed our expectations,” said Edible Arrangements® CEO Tariq Farid. “The Cupcake Collection is perfect for those occasions that happen 365 days a year, from thanking a teacher to celebrating a promotion at work to wishing a loved one happy birthday. It’s a delightful and unexpected way to ‘WOW’ that special person.”
The Edible Arrangements® 7th annual international convention concluded last week in Orlando and I could not be more pleased as to how it went. I am always amazed at the energy and enthusiasm radiating from all the franchisees, vendors, corporate staff –well, from everyone. It’s electric. This year’s convention was truly inclusive in that our franchisees led the roundtable discussions and spearheaded the conversation. Over the years we learned that franchisees find it much more valuable when they hear from their peers and pick up tips from them on preparing for the holidays, unique marketing and public relations ideas, hiring and so much more. I cannot tell you how impressed I am every year to hear from our franchisees and what they are doing in their businesses and communities.
This year the theme was ‘Be Our Guest’ because it is our franchisees, the ambassadors of the Edible Arrangements brand, who truly strive to treat every person like a guest in their home. Our franchisees are your neighbors and friends in your communities who work hard every day to make sure that you –our guest –receives the highest quality, freshly made fruit arrangements or fruit treats such as our incredible smoothies, fruit salads and dipped fruit every single day. Their passion for what they do is what has made Edible Arrangements so successful and helps make your visit into the wonderful world of Edible Arrangements so memorable. I truly feel blessed to be in the presence of so many dedicated individuals and humbled by the work they do to ensure Edible Arrangements meets your expectations every time.
One of the most pleasurable events for me at the convention is the awards ceremony where we recognize some of our outstanding franchisees. It gets harder and harder every year deciding which franchisees deserve to be recognized for their outstanding achievements in many critical areas. There are so many franchisees who are extraordinary and who deserve recognition. I wish I could recognize them all at the convention as they are all deserving of such accolades. But each year there are a special few who really exemplify and embody the Edible Arrangements spirit, who go above and beyond to deliver an unforgettable Edible Arrangements experience for their guests.
Today I want to publically congratulate the franchisee who I personally chose to receive the President’s award, an award given to a franchisee who is an indefatigable evangelist of the brand on a daily basis. Maurice Welton, who owns four stores in Texas (McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville and Weslaco) is truly a patriot and unrelenting advocate for Edible Arrangements. Maurice is a man who pulled himself up by his bootstraps by his sheer will and determination and is now building his own Edible Arrangements enterprise. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army from 1997-2003, and after Katrina forced him and so many others to rethink their plans, Maurice moved to Texas where he opened his first Edible Arrangements store in McAllen in 2007.
Maurice Welton
His positive attitude is infectious and he is an amazing role model for his staff and other franchisees. With Maurice, the glass isn’t only half full, it’s overflowing every single day. I’ve never met a more proud, personable, positive man. He truly makes me smile every time I speak with him and brightens the day for so many in his community. It was such an honor and privilege for me to personally hand Maurice the President’s Award at the convention. I anticipate so many great things in the future from Maurice and I know he will continue making immeasurable contributions to his community. Congratulations Maurice -you deserve it! Keep up the hard work and keep on smiling!
In my next few blog entries I will be highlighting a few more of our incredible franchisees who received an award at the convention. I hope you will find their stories inspiring and pick up a few tips of your own that you can use in your business or in everyday life.
A few years ago I decided that Edible Arrangements® needed a new mission statement. The mission statement had to be simple, easy to remember and more importantly, had to reflect the culture of Edible Arrangements and what I thought our products and our brand meant to our guests, franchisees and staff.
Why the change? Well, one day I asked a simple question during our weekly companywide staff meeting. I asked if anyone can recite our mission statement. All I got back were blank faces and silence. Never mind that we had large copies of our mission statement printed and displayed all over the corporate building. Nobody could remember it, and embarrassingly enough, I hate to admit it but neither could I. That is when I knew we had a problem.
So many companies just write a mission statement, or assign the task to the marketing department, because they feel they have to, without really thinking it through. Also, I believe it is also very difficult for young companies to really define their mission statement because young companies are still finding their way, still growing, still forming their culture and defining who they are and what they want to be. We created our first mission statement only a few years into our formation as a franchise company. It was too soon –we didn’t have the maturity yet to truly write a mission statement we could all believe in, a statement that really represented the DNA of the company and what it stood for.
Believe it or not, our new mission statement was simple and easy to come up with. It should be if you really understand your business and culture. If you have a lot of difficulty deriving your mission statement then I believe you just aren’t ready yet. What is our mission statement at Edible Arrangements now? ‘To Wow You’ –that’s it! Those few words say it all about Edible Arrangements. Our mission as a company, as a brand, is to ‘Wow’ our guests with our amazing products and exceptional experience every single day, ‘Wow’ our franchisees with impeccable, first-rate guidance and service, and ‘Wow’ our staff and create a culture that makes them proud. The ‘Wow’ effect was there from the very beginning when I first started the business in a corner of one of my flower shops. Many naysayers told me this idea I had would never work, but I had confidence because every time someone saw or received one of our arrangements the response was always the same –Wow!
At Edible Arrangements, ‘To Wow You’ is not just a mission statement. It’s not just a few words written on a piece of paper to be forgotten. Instead, we really believe in it, really feel it, live it and breathe it every day. With over 1,000 stores across the world, the people that really matter, the people that must believe in Edible Arrangements mission is our franchisees. Our franchisees are who you interact with, talk to and see every day. If they don’t believe in their mission, well, then we simply could not ‘Wow’ you. They are Edible Arrangements. But ‘Wow’ you they do. I’m blown away by our amazing franchisees and their dedication and commitment to ‘Wowing’ their guests all the time. Their belief in our mission –in their mission –is what makes us so successful.
Jim Echols, grandson Jameson and Tariq Farid
Last year was the first time we presented the ‘Wow Award’ to a franchisee at our annual Edible Arrangements convention. It was awarded to an amazing franchisee, Leslie Robinson of Troy, Michigan. This year, our ‘Wow’ award was given to another amazing franchisee who exemplifies everything Edible Arrangements is and stands for. Jim Echols, owner of the Charlotte, NC store ‘wows’ not only his guests, but really ‘Wows’ us at the corporate office and all our franchisees. He carries out the Edible Arrangements mission to perfection every single day. Nothing gets past him –and I mean nothing. His desire to please, to go above and beyond, to really ‘wow’ his guests, staff and community reverberates across the system. We all follow his lead and feed off of his passion. Thank you, Jim! Thank you for helping to bring the Edible Arrangements mission to life, and on top of it, for being a really nice, caring person. Congratulations and keep on ‘wowing’ us all.
The World of Edible Arrangements™ is unique, fresh and beautiful. There are always a lot of new products, promotions and site enhancements that make our consumer website the perfect way for our guests to experience that world first-hand online. Here’s a snapshot of just some of the great new things happening on EdibleArrangements.com:
Make It Easy with PayPal
Guest satisfaction is the number one priority on EdibleArrangements.com. For our guests, an easy checkout process is a must. On September, 17th, 2012, we launched PayPal as an alternative payment method. Guests with PayPal accounts now benefit from an even faster shopping experience, with a convenient payment option besides their credit card.
This enhancement to our website has been extremely well received by our guests. Kaitlin Reiss, Vice President of Ecommerce, says: “We’ve already seen great results by adding the PayPal feature to our website in just the first few weeks alone, and we’re excited to see that continue as we enter our 4th Quarter with the strong initial momentum”.
Fresh Fruit Cupcakes
There’s no doubt that our variety of fresh fruit bouquets and chocolate covered fruit is part of what helps make us loved, but every once in a while, we launch a truly unique product that simply WOWs our guests in ways we never have before. The most recent of these product launches is our new Cupcake Collection, a series of delicious arrangements that feature cupcake-shaped pineapple dipped in white and semisweet chocolate. And yes, they’re delicious. Our guests have been eating them up (literally), and enjoy them for a variety of occasions, like birthdays, anniversaries and thank you gifts.
Seasonal Products Win Big
Fall is in the air with our Harvest Collection. These limited time fruit bouquets have proven so popular in the past that we’ve made it an annual fall tradition. These arrangements feature leaf-shaped pineapple and our unique Cinnamon Chocolate Apples Wedges®. We’ve also expanded the collection this year to include additional sizes large enough for a party, or small enough to be perfect for one.
Shown: Harvest Apple Daisy with dipped strawberries
In my last entry I spoke about the Detroit area Edible Arrangements franchisees who are passionately involved with charitable causes in their communities. This is not an anomaly. So many of our franchise owners across the country and world make community involvement and support a priority. It’s who they are –who we are –and we are proud to show that Edible Cares.
I know a while ago I briefly mentioned our amazing franchisees in Massachusetts and their yearly support for a very important cause –the fight to find a cure for multiple sclerosis. However, I really want to single out one franchisee in particular who is leading the effort in Massachusetts as the disease is very personal for him. Nick D’Alleva, co-owner of three Edible Arrangements stores (Beverly, Lynn and Peabody, MA) knows personally the effects MS has on loved ones. Nick’s brother-in-law Carl, Carl’s mother Carmella and Carl’s daughter (Nick’s niece) Melissa have MS, and the entire family has been very active in raising awareness and money to find a cure for MS. In 2006, Carl’s brother Kevin created a team, The Lombardi Party, a family movement in itself, to (as their website states) “stop MS, restore what’s been lost, and end MS forever.”
Seeing three generations of family members stricken by this debilitating disease, Nick became extremely active in the family’s mission to create a community, and national, effort to bring people together to help the cause. Nick rallied his neighboring Massachusetts Edible Arrangements franchisees who, every March (March is MS Awareness month), donate a portion of the sales of the Orange Blossom® arrangement to the National MS Society. Last year, Nick and the Massachusetts franchisees raised $10,000. Wow!
Nick, holding check, Chris Dellamarggio, our very first franchisee, far right
However, Nick’s dedication to promoting awareness and volunteerism, and raising funds for MS, goes much further. One example –he hits the pavement. Last week Nick and his family, the Lombardi Party, and hundreds of others, walked 50 miles over 3 three days in Cape Cod for the MS Challenge Walk, one of ten walking event destinations held throughout the country for MS.
Nick, second from right, and family
To Nick, the Massachusetts franchisees, and all our Edible Arrangements franchisees who daily support so many charitable organizations and causes, I’m so impressed with your passionate contributions to your communities. I am confident, one franchisee at a time, one person at a time, that we and others working together can make a difference and have a tremendous, positive impact in the lives of others. Thank you for all you do!
What does it take to be number one – the top in business or field of expertise? Some may say it is luck. That successful people are just in the right place at the right time, lucky to have found that perfect location for their business, stumbling across the right idea at the right time, blessed to have met the perfect person to help them reach their goal, or that success just –well, just happens. In my opinion, nothing is further from the truth. Can luck play a small role in starting your way to success? Maybe, a small part, but business is what you make of it and success depends on how much you put into it. To be number one and successful in business you need to manage. What you do not manage doesn’t happen.
What do I mean by you need to manage your way to the top? What I mean is you must plan, strategize and practice. You must have a plan for what you want to achieve, strategize and think hard about what you need to do to get there, and then put your well-thought out strategy, your plan, into practice. As I’m sitting here in Toronto Pearson International airport, reflecting on the most successful Mother’s Day week, the most successful week ever by the way, in Edible Arrangements history, I would like to tell you about one of our franchisees who in just over two short years turned around one of our stores and took it all the way to number one –number one in sales – in the Edible Arrangements system.
Before I tell you about brothers Ibrahim and Hashim, I must first give a huge thank you to all of Edible Arrangements amazing franchisees. Together, they fulfilled over 700,000 orders in one week, making countless mothers and loved ones happy this past holiday. Every single franchisee managed this holiday perfectly, following a plan they worked out months, and in some cases, years in advance. Such is the case of Ibrahim and Hashim, who had a goal from the day they bought their first store in Claremont, California in 2009 to be #1 in the entire Edible Arrangements system.
Shortly after opening their Claremont store, Ibrahim and Hashim decided to purchase their second store in nearby Moreno Valley. Up to this point, Moreno Valley was a store that had not yet lived up to its potential but the two brothers had a plan and were convinced with proper management they could take this store to the top –quickly. With laser like focus, they implemented their strategy, one that they created in turning their first store into a success, that in short, details how to not only better manage their business during busy holiday times, but manage their team members and the overall business throughout the entire year. It didn’t happen the first week, month or year, and they knew nothing would happen instantaneously, but in just over two short years they reached their goal of having the highest sales in the Edible Arrangements system during the Mother’s Day holiday week. Ibrahim and Hashim had a goal from the very beginning to be at the top, and it wasn’t luck that took them there in such short time, but proper management and planning. Today, three years after opening their first store, Ibrahim and Hashim have four very successful stores in California: Claremont, Moreno Valley, Rancho Palos Verdes and Laguna Hills.
So, what does it take to get to the top? Managing –managing your destiny! What you do not manage will not happen. Leave the luck to the unprepared!
The past few weeks across America many students were celebrating with their families graduation from or promotion to the next grade in school. It’s a time for new beginnings, excitement of what’s yet to come and accomplishment of obtaining, and in some instances continuing, an education. It should also be a time of reflection, to think back and appreciate the teachers who are major contributors in our growth, and who may have inspired and guided us through some of the most challenging years in our lives. So many people can say without hesitation that there was one teacher in particular that had a tremendous influence on them. I was blessed to have such a teacher in my life, someone who I am convinced was an angel sent to provide me with the foundation from which I was able to build my confidence and a fulfilling life in America.
On August 14, 1981, my family and I emigrated from Pakistan to the United States. I was 12 years old and about to enter 6th grade at Forest Elementary School in West Haven, CT. Sixth grade is tough for anyone, especially for someone who was unfamiliar with the culture and customs of America and didn’t speak very much English. Add to that I, like all other sixth graders, was at an age where I was very impressionable and eager to start asserting my own personality and opinions. Nevertheless, I was just so excited to be here and was looking forward to my first day at school. As you can imagine, on that first day, I felt lost, confused and eager to fit in and be accepted. Luckily, there was the kindest teacher at my school who helped shaped my perception of others, build my confidence and set me on my way being the person I am today.
Ms. Beckwith, my 6th grade teacher, was the type of teacher that cared about everyone and always went out of her way to help. The passion she had for teaching and the wellbeing of her students, and people in general, was infectious. She went above and beyond to teach me proper English, the importance of proper pronunciation and ensure that I had the necessary skills to succeed in this country. I remember she let me borrow a machine that would help me pronounce words. I would spend hours at home every night running these cards through the machine listening to the machine repeat words such as “tire,” “car” and hundreds of others so that I can learn and speak the language correctly. My mother became enamored with this machine as well and would sit there with me learning the words at the same time. Ms. Beckwith would spend extra time afterschool tutoring me, making sure I was keeping up with my studies and helping me navigate my way through the social landscape that is the 6th grade.
Flash forward 31 years. As the founder and President of Edible Arrangements International, Teacher’s Appreciation Week and National Teacher’s Day are two important occasions for the company. Although almost every day I think about Ms. Beckwith and the influence she had on my life, I never made the effort to find her and personally thank her for all that she did for me. I was driving to the office the day before Teacher’s Appreciation Week, which was May 6 this year, and finally decided I needed to locate her and let her know the impact she had on my life. The problem was I didn’t know where she was living, if she was still teaching, if she was married with a different last name, or if she would even remember me. After all –it has been 31 years. With the help of a wonderful woman from the Superintendent of School’s office in CT, we were able to locate Mrs. Warner (formerly Ms. Beckwith), who was still teaching 6th grade but at a different school in Connecticut –Norton Elementary School in Cheshire.
I decided to surprise her at the 6th grade “promotion” ceremonies on June 18. To say I was nervous was an understatement. However, I just wanted her and all her students to know that she was the one who forever defined for me that the nature of people is good, showed me that a teacher is a special person who must be cherished and appreciated, and convinced me that a teacher’s role in society is unparalleled. It was a special day, an emotional day, that I will never forget. Luckily she remembered me and I was able to thank her in person.
Tariq Farid and Carol Warner
So, as the summer begins, take a few minutes to reflect on your own past experiences and think about that teacher, or teachers, that had an influence on your life, like Mrs. Warner had on mine. If you are still in school, take a moment to thank those special teachers in your life and let them know they are appreciated. If you are no longer in school, pause for a few minutes to send a thank you note to that teacher who influenced you. I’m forever indebted to Mrs. Warner. Thank you Mrs. Warner for all that you did for me, and continue to do for hundreds of other students. Rest assured that you are loved, appreciated and respected by many.
The Immigrant Learning Center in Malden, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston, assists immigrants and refugees by providing free English classes. The center recognizes that a working knowledge of English is the key that unlocks opportunities for immigrants in the United States. I came to this country when I was eleven years old so I know firsthand how vital it is for immigrants to be able to read and speak the national language of their new country. The ILC’s approach is simple: they use an immersion learning program to teach English as a Second Language.
Recently the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Immigration Policy Center of the American Immigration Council worked together to explore the issue of job creation by immigrant entrepreneurs. In January they jointly issued a report that makes a number of policy recommendations to make it easier for immigrant entrepreneurs to contribute to the American economy. The report also acknowledges the Immigrant Learning Center’s first installment of the Immigrant Entrepreneur Hall of Fame which was published on their Website on January 25. ILC created the Immigrant Entrepreneur Hall of Fame to demonstrate the breadth of the contributions that immigrants have made to American business, culture and society. I was honored and humbled to have been included in this select group of entrepreneurs that includes Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Alexander Mellon, Alexander Graham Bell, E. I. du Pont, Levi Strauss, William Proctor and James Gamble, Charles Pfizer, John W. Nordstrom, and many others whose names are less well known but their companies are household words: eBay, Google, Kraft Foods, Kohl’s, Comcast, Sun Microsystems, You Tube, Yahoo! and Radio Shack, just to name a few. You can see who else is in the hall of fame and learn more about the Immigrant Learning Center at their website www.ilctr.org.
I never cease to be amazed by the ways in which peoples’ lives are positively impacted by becoming part of the Edible Arrangements franchise. This is especially true, I find, of families. The Skidmores would be a fine example of this phenomenon.
After 20 years of traveling up and down the East Coast, Ryan and Kris Skidmore are finally staying put in South Carolina—and they have no plans to move again anytime soon. That’s because, as of January 30, the Skidmores are now the new owners of the Edible Arrangements store in Greenville, SC.
Ryan is a sales manager for a Fortune 100 insurance company, and his career has forced his family to be constantly on the move, taking up residence everywhere from Florida and North Carolina to Virginia and Ohio. In fact, Ryan learned about the Greenville store from one of his agents, who was the insurance agent for the store.
Now Ryan and Kris, along with their young daughters Keely and Lindsey, can finally enjoy a more settled-down family life—and join our family of Fruit Experts in the process. I am confident the family will not only be exemplary franchisees but also a big part of the community. Please stop by the store and help welcome your new neighbors.
Here at Edible Arrangements, we hold those who serve our great nation in very high regard, and are honored whenever a former member of the military decides to join our franchise and become one of our Fruit Experts. It pleases me to say that not only will we be having a serviceman opening up two stores very soon in the Seattle area, but he is also someone who has helped preserve the health and well-being of his fellow servicemen and servicewomen.
Kirk
Serving in the United States Navy since the late 1990s, Kirk most recently worked as a Medical Services Corps Officer, supporting the medical and dental components of the Navy Reserve in both an administrative and technical capacity. Kirk worked closely with military physicians, dentists, nurses and allied health personnel for years, and upon leaving the Navy, decided it was time to obtain his goal of starting up his own business.
Kirk recently signed on to open a brand new store in Seattle, and plans to develop a second location in nearby Federal Way by the end of the year. I’m thrilled that he chose to go into business with us, and I wish this distinguished veteran great success in growing his new enterprise.
Very often, the franchisees who are the most successful are the ones who allow their dedication and desire to lead the way, and insist on taking the greater challenge, rather than the easier path. For some, this means making the leap into multi-unit ownership in relatively short order. While slowly and steadily nurturing a single unit is the chosen approach for some, it’s not for everyone.
Take Dhananjaya “DJ” & Sathya of Alpharetta, Georgia, for example. This hard-working husband/wife team just opened their first Edible Arrangements location in nearby Suwannee less than three months ago. Yet rather than resting on their laurels, they’re immediately expanding their enterprise to a second location right in their hometown of Alpharetta.
As with their first store, DJ and Sathya intend to share the responsibilities of owning and operating their Alpharetta location, delivering happiness to as many northwestern Georgians as possible. With their kind of work ethic, I’m confident those potential customers are in very good hands.
After bringing one of our delicious, made-to-order Edible Arrangements bouquets to an event and instantly becoming the center of attention, Jack got an inkling that there might just be something special about this unique brand and its fresh fruit product line. Once he discovered that all EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS® franchise locations are locally owned and operated, he knew he wanted one of his own. And now, he and his wife Rebecca are opening their third Florida location, in Orange City.
Working for years as a computer technician, Jack now enjoys a more people-centric role, bringing joy to the public on a regular basis. In fact, he moved from New Jersey to Florida in the first place just to be a part of our franchise. He is a franchisee who truly lives by the EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS® mission –“To Wow You”:
“It comes down to that WOW factor that we always speak about. Nothing beats experiencing it. That will push you more, day after day, to perform and to give to the business. Sometimes I take deliveries myself when I’m short on drivers, and even after five or six years in this business, I still enjoy seeing those beautiful smiles when people open the door, or you walk into the office and they see the basket. This is something that keeps fueling my engine.”
Jack’s positive attitude and entrepreneurial courage have enabled him to succeed as an EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS® Fruit Expert–so much so that he was recently profiled by Fairwinds Credit Union, the banking institution he works with in Florida. And now, with the new Orange City store—added to locations in Orlando and Lake Mary—his story continues to inspire.
I always feel so proud when one of our franchisees gets called upon to participate in an educational business event. I am a big believer in continually learning from your peers and other successful business owners, and strongly advocate that you attend various discussions and business related forums to hear from others who have walked and are walking in your shoes as a business owner.
So I was thrilled to read that one of our Edible Arrangements franchisees, Lauren Little, proud owner of two Edible Arrangement’s stores in Jacksonville, Florida, was asked to offer her advice to other business owners at the Beaver Street Enterprise Center’s ‘The Sweet Taste of Success’ event in celebration of Women’s History month. Please click here to read the story.
Lauren is the perfect example of a business owner who sets goals and challenges herself to take the next step in her business, and life. She is an amazing franchise partner as she exudes the community spirit and engagement that is so prevalent throughout the Edible Arrangements system. On behalf of Edible Arrangements, and the approximately 799 stores that are partially or fully owned by women business leaders, we congratulate Lauren for being a role model not only for all business owners, but in particular women business owners. Thank you Lauren and keep up the great work!
Summer is the season for spending time outdoors, enjoying our families, and taking much needed vacations. Unfortunately, the need for blood donations never takes a vacation. When we learned that summer is a typically slow time for blood donations we decided to do something to give people an incentive to visit their local Red Cross and donate.
We asked Edible Arrangements franchisees in the 35 states where there are American Red Cross blood drives if they wanted to participate in an incentive program. These independent owners and operators of EA stores overwhelmingly voted to help. The idea came from our stores in the Boston area who, working with their local Red Cross have been running a similar incentive program for several years. So during the entire month of August, anyone who donates blood at a Red Cross blood drive in one of the 35 participating states will receive a voucher for a free box of six pieces of chocolate dipped fruit. Blood donors can take the coupon right to their nearest store as soon as they donate, or save it for another day – it’s good until September 15.
This incentive program is a great opportunity for us and our local franchises to give back to our communities, and it dovetails with our “Random Acts of Happiness” program that began in late April and runs until August 31. For this program we created a “Random Acts of Happiness” website (actsofhappiness.com) and invited people to submit the little acts that bring people joy in their lives – whether it’s something they have done, or something nice that someone else did for them.
Visitors to the site can vote for their favorite random acts. At the end of August, the person whose random act of happiness got the most votes will win $10,000 and the organization with the most votes will win $20,000. But that’s not all. For every vote cast, up to 20,000 we are donating $1 to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America, for all the happiness they bring to kids across the country.
Our blood drive events in 35 states are designed to give a little happiness to the blood donors who, through their donations, are performing random acts of happiness all during the month of August. It’s our way of saying thank you to all of them for their generosity.
States Participating in the American Red Cross Blood Drive Incentive Program: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.
Two weeks ago Edible Arrangements® held its sixth annual convention in Las Vegas, NV, our first one since we simplified our mission statement. Like many companies, we used to have one of those lofty run-on sentences full of buzzwords that sound good when you are saying them but are totally forgettable. Last summer I decided that our mission statement really ought to be nothing more than what we strive to do every day, so we changed our mission statement to simply “To WOW You!” It’s a mission that we truly live by, and a statement we – and our customers – can actually remember. Even more that just remembering it, anyone can measure it. After all, you know when an amazing product or over-the-top customer service wows you, and it’s a whole lot different from something that is just OK. For us, OK is definitely not OK!
Which brings me to the Edible Arrangements® convention two weeks ago. Our theme was “Nothing But WOW!” and we delivered! Our conventions are always packed with educational breakout sessions, a vendor tradeshow and general sessions, and this one was our best yet, with many more interactive activities for franchisees, a Tech Center with all the newest technology advances available to store owners and managers, and a full size storefront featuring our new Edible To Go concept! And as always we unveiled some exciting new technologies and other surprises to give attendees a sneak peek at upcoming products and promotions.
It’s so important to have an annual event so franchisees, store managers, vendors and corporate employees can all be together in one place and learn from each other. There’s no substitute for the opportunity for franchisees to get together to help each other with tips and suggestions, meet with vendors, and give face-to-face feedback to the corporate team.
We set out this year to provide an amazing experience for everyone by offering outstanding presentations and sessions and to have everyone leave with great ideas and reinvigorated energy to take their enterprises to the next level. Customers can see that our franchisees are living our mission to WOW you every day . . . now that’s a statement!
Despite what the Franchise Times calls “the Great Recession,” Edible Arrangements shot up their Top 200 Systems list, from 163 last year to 150 this year. In addition, they’ve called us out as one of the “fastest growing retail franchises” from their ranking, with 17.3% sales growth and 7.8% unit (store) growth. The article reports that, on average for the same time period, franchise retailers only saw sales growth of 3% and unit growth of 1.5%.
New Franchisee to Open 15 Locations Throughout Turkey in Next Five Years
WALLINGFORD, Conn., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire/ — Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in hand-sculpted, fresh fruit arrangements, announced today the signing of a Master Franchisee agreement with Kemal and Emre Aydin. The brothers plan to develop 15 locations throughout Turkey.
The first location is slated to open in Istanbul in 2010 and the remaining locations will open over the next five years. With this agreement, Edible Arrangements is now available to consumers in nine countries outside of the United States and Puerto Rico.
Emre currently owns one of the largest online florist businesses in Turkey and Kemal has a strong background in information technology. Kemal moved to the Unites States in 1995 and five years later started his own consulting company, Satreno that has locations in the United States, South Africa, Ireland and Turkey. The brothers are now focusing their business attentions on developing Edible Arrangements franchisees in Turkey.
“We are excited to introduce Edible Arrangements to consumers in Turkey and welcome Kemal and Emre into our system,” said Tariq Farid, CEO and Founder, Edible Arrangements, Inc. “We see great promise in these cities and know our new master franchisees will be great ambassadors for the brand.”
Currently, Edible Arrangements has 900 locations with the goal to reach 1,000 units by 2010. These recent signings are part of an aggressive growth strategy that includes expanding in existing markets and countries while continuing Edible Arrangements domestic growth in California, Texas, Arizona, Florida, Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Philadelphia and New York. In addition to finding qualified new franchisees, the company’s growth strategy includes continuing to grow its existing franchise base into enterprise multi-unit operators.
“My wife received an arrangement as a get-well gift and I was taken with the concept of beautifully arranged fruit designs and immediately knew that I wanted to expand this concept to our native country,” said Kemal Aydin. “With my brother’s experience in the floral industry combined with our expertise in customer service, delivery systems and the gift-giving industry we are prepared and eager to introduce the brand to Turkish market.”
Most recently, the company announced the launch of its new “core and station” store enterprise development program and the company’s evolution into multi-unit franchising. A central component of the new strategy is Frutation by Edible Arrangements, a grab-and-go concept offering customers fresh-fruit smoothies and juices, fruit bouquets and green salads, dipped fruit and a variety of other fresh-fruit products.
Tariq Farid, recently the recipient of two Entrepreneur of the Year awards from the International Franchise Association and Ernst & Young in Metro New York, developed and launched Edible Arrangements in 1999 in East Haven, CT, after many years in the floral industry. He learned early that corporate support can make the difference between a struggling or thriving franchise. It is for this reason that Edible Arrangements offers its franchisees comprehensive corporate and onsite level training, unparalleled technology, national brand recognition and extensive support.
The company’s proprietary technology platform and point-of-sale system is the critical backbone of each Edible Arrangements and Frutation store, where franchisees have 24/7 access to its industry leading on-line support system. Technology also assists in the development of the proprietary tools used to design arrangements, which enhances the product’s look and increases profit margins. The company has developed a fully integrated national marketing program focusing on television, magazine and online advertising.
Since its inception, Edible Arrangements has earned countless accolades from the industry, including its ranking as first in its category by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Annual “Franchise 500” Ranking in 2007, 2008, 2009, as well as one of the magazine’s “HOT 100” franchises in 2008. In addition, the company has ranked for three consecutive years in Inc. Magazine’s top 5,000 fastest growing privately-held companies and AllBusiness.com ranked Edible Arrangements as 23rd in overall growth and 65th in system size due to a doubling of units since 2006.
Individuals seeking to own and operate an individual Edible Arrangements’ franchise should posses a minimum liquidity of $50,000 and the ability to invest approximately $154,920 – $298,005. Multi-unit store networks, international master franchisee licenses and financing options are also available for qualified applicants. For more information, please visit www.eafranchise.com or call 888.727.4258.
About Edible Arrangements
Edible Arrangements International, Inc., is the leading purveyor of delicious, high quality, artistically designed, fresh fruit arrangements that are practical and healthy gifts. Founded in 1999 in East Haven, CT. by Tariq Farid, Edible Arrangements earned the 27th spot on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “2008 Hot 100 List of Fastest-Growing Businesses in America.” With 913 locations operating or opening soon worldwide, Edible Arrangements is rapidly expanding across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Italy, and Hong Kong. Customers may order arrangements by telephone at 1-877-DO-FRUIT, at one of the company’s retail stores, or on-line at ediblearrangements.com.
BusinessWire – The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) has announced the winner of its 2010 “Hot Retailer” award, which recognizes innovative retail concepts that are driving consumers into shopping centers around the world. Based on a survey of ICSC’s worldwide members, Edible Arrangements was chosen as one of the “hottest” concepts and Edible Arrangements have received the award during ICSC’s Global Retail Real Estate Convention, RECon, on Tuesday, May 25, 2010, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“ICSC is pleased to announce and award its ‘Hot Retailer Award’ to retailers that have worked hard to create products and services that drive customers to shopping centers around the world,” said Michael P. Kercheval, ICSC’s president and CEO. “These retailers create exciting and interesting shopping experiences that contribute to the success of the shopping centers that have them as tenants. ICSC is pleased to add these five retailers to our annual list of ‘Hot Retailers’ and spotlight them during RECon,” Kercheval added.
This year’s Hottest Retailer is:Edible Arrangements®
Edible Arrangements® has a fresh fruit bouquet to make any occasion special – from birthdays, anniversaries and congratulations to business events and client gifts. Bouquets are made fresh with premium fruit arranged in a variety of stunning displays. Customers can visit one of the chain’s 940 stores worldwide, order online or via phone. Each bouquet can be complemented with chocolate dipped fruit including dipped strawberries, dipped pineapple daisies, dipped banana slices, dipped Granny Smith apple wedges and more! Make every occasion special with Edible Arrangements(R).
As the pioneer and leader in hand-sculpted, fresh-fruit arrangements, Edible Arrangements experienced strong growth in 2009 with the opening of 74 new stores and franchise agreements for more than 85 locations in the U.S. and internationally. In addition, development agreements have been signed with new and existing franchisees for the opening of more than 85 stores in the U.S., Rome, Hong Kong and Turkey. For more information, visit https://www.ediblearrangements.com .
WALLINGFORD — Edible Arrangements, which specializes in “floral” arrangements made of fresh fruit, has signed its 1,000th franchise agreement, company officials announced.
The company said it is not yet known where the 1,000th franchise will open, but the agreement with its franchisor has been finalized.
“We started franchising in 2001 and the continuous growth of Edible Arrangements has been very exciting,” company founder and Chief Executive Officer Tariq Farid said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have met our goal of signing our 1,000th store before year’s end.”
The chain is coming off a successful 2010, he said, attributing the company’s strength to “our proven franchise system; healthful, high-quality products; and our franchisees.”
Last year, Edible Arrangements opened 84 U.S. stores, nine international ones and signed commitments for 123 new locations.
Store openings are planned over the next several months in San Francisco, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Utah. Also this quarter, locations will open in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Jordan and Italy.
“We look forward to evolving our brand and company further in 2011,” Farid said.
The chain now has more than 1000 open locations and serves consumers in 11 countries outside the United States and Puerto Rico.
Company officials are aiming to put additional deals in place to bring new franchises to Minnesota; Los Angeles; New York City; Washington, D.C., and Marin County in California.
In addition to adding more locations, the company is focusing its strategy partly on cultivating existing franchisees into multiple-location owners, according to co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Kamran Farid
The company’s website estimates the total initial cost of opening a franchise is between $152,980 and $299,257. That includes an initial $25,000 franchise fee paid to the company, as well as expenses such as rent, equipment, inventory, insurance and grand opening marketing.
As part of its growth strategy, Edible Arrangements last year introduced more “male-focused” items, company officials said, such as fruit arrangements featuring licensed Harley Davidson logos and NASCAR drivers and logos.
Edible Arrangements was founded in 1999 in East Haven by brothers Tariq and Kamran Farid.
Now through January 31st, 2014, Edible Arrangements® is hosting the first ever Guest Appreciation Event, so get ready for a whole lot of love! We really do appreciate all of our guests, and we’re working hard to show you just how much this month, and we’re showing you with giveaways, special offers, and tasty surprises.
First, with every $40 purchase, we’re giving away a FREE dipped fruit 6-box all month long. How sweet is that?! And that’s just the beginning—here’s what else is happening this month during our Guest Appreciation Event:
Starting January 9th, you can enter to win an entire year of arrangements! Yes, an entire year.
From January 14th– January 17th, we’re giving away FREE Dipped Pineapple Pops™!
We’ll be surprising select guests with even more fresh treats.
Edible Arrangements® earliest franchise partner, Chris Dellamarggio, was recently profiled as a top Waltham entrepreneur by Wicked Local. Chris opened his first Edible Arrangements® store (the very first Edible Arrangements® franchise location!) in Waltham back in 2001, and has since expanded his ownership to 5 additional stores in the Greater Boston area [in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Newtown, and West Roxbury]. Read the full story here.
Are you an entrepreneur looking for your own business to build? Visit our Franchise Opportunities page now to learn more.
After weeks of anticipation, we’re thrilled to officially introduce our new Fresht-tini™ Collection! This fun and colorful collection features five new reasons to get your friends together, with artfully arranged fruit bouquets in reusable martini glass-shaped containers – Kick back, relax, and experience a whole new way to #DoFruit.
We’re so excited to shake up your next get together that we’re offering $10 off your first Fresh-tini™ now through March 23rd with coupon code FRSH3318.
Edible Arrangements® has proven to be more than just a novelty, and Forbes.com is taking notice. Founder and CEO, Tariq Farid spoke to Forbes in an article published on April 8th about his path to taking Edible Arrangements® from a $500,000 system-wide sales year in 2001 to a $500 million system-wide sales year in 2013. Read the full article here: “How Edible Arrangements Sold $500 Million of Fruit Bouquets in 2013” .
This is Nancy Hall, Communications Specialist at Edible Arrangements® International and, as of Friday, a proud graduate of Edible University! As promised last week, I want to tell you about the second half of this incredible training program.
The first half of the week, we focused on local store marketing, finance management, and holiday store preparation. Presentations were given to the class by corporate team members and provided valuable information for success. Then, as we neared mid-week, we began to prepare for the most intense experience of the entire program – Live Store Day!
In preparation for Live Store Day, Edible Arrangements® corporate employees bid on a variety of arrangements for the EU class to make. All money collected is donated to charity through Edible Cares™. The winning bidders place their orders to the EU storefront during Live Store Day. This allows the class to gain more experience in building various arrangements as well as working with Guests and fulfilling orders in a simulated store environment.
Edible Arrangements corporate employees place orders with Leslie Zenarosa (center) while Asim Ahmed and Cierra Taylor (background right) make Edible To Go® drinks and Training Manager Ramona Mosley (bottom right) helps to sort orders.
Don’t let the term “simulated” fool you, though! This is a very hectic day for the EU class as we processed and produced orders for arrangements and boxes while also serving up drinks, fruit salads and individual fruit pieces from the Edible To Go® collection. It’s a non-stop flurry of excitement from open to close. When the day came to an end, we released a collective sigh of relief and took great pride in everything we were able to accomplish.The corporate team attended our graduation on Friday, and we bid a fond farewell as our newest Franchise Partners and Managers left to put their EU knowledge into action. Rather than have me go on and on about this incredible program, I thought I would share insight from a few of my EU classmates:
“This program has been so helpful, especially gaining hands-on experience before we get into our store. It’s good to know that we are going in with some prep and training. The hands-on learning really makes a difference. This is a great program!” – Cierra Taylor, Hunstville, AL
“This has been an effective adult learning process, combining hands-on building, simulated store experiences and real store experiences. Ramona [Mosley, Training Manager] and Todd [Lamson, Manager of Training & Guest Experiences] were incredible and very high energy. The testing was built to help us learn the material, not just to get a good grade. Two weeks may seem like a long time, but it is well worth it.” – Russ Marable, San Clemente, CA
“From this experience, I will take home a renewed love for lime juice! But really, I am taking home some great ideas for how to better run my business, especially local store marketing. It’s been a long and short 2 weeks – long to be away, but short to learn everything. I’m glad for the experience and look forward to using what I’ve learned.” – Asim Ahmed, Denton, TX
“My favorite part of EU was the hands-on building and guidance for every aspect of the business. I also appreciated learning how to pull reports that will be beneficial to the business. There will still be a learning curve, but it will certainly not be as great now thanks to this training.” – Mark Taylor, Huntsville, AL
“Live Store Day was a crazy, fun, tiring, amazing experience! I dipped so many Apple Fruit Truffles in the production area – it was like truffle mania! Working in the storefront was such a great learning experience, dealing with Guests and taking orders. One big takeaway for me – the Edible To Go drinks are so good!” – Katie Bhandare, North Lauderdale, FL
Congratulations to all of my fellow EU graduates! Would you like to join me as an alumnus of Edible University? Visit our franchise site for more information!
Edible Arrangements® is celebrating its 15th Birthday and we are so excited to share what we’ve been up to! In 15 short years, Edible Arrangements® has gone from a single flower shop in East Haven, CT to an international enterprise with franchise partners who own and operate over 1,100 stores worldwide. Lead by our Founder an CEO Tariq Farid, Edible Arrangements® is looking to continue to grown, and to keep raising the bar in the gifting industry for years to come.
Edible Arrangements® Timeline Wall
Every milestone deserves a party, and the team at the Edible Arrangements® corporate headquarters in Wallingford, CT celebrated in style. The team kicked off the celebrations with the unveiling of a new timeline wall in our offices. it dosucment some of the “greatest hits” in the history of the company from 1985 to present day (and leave room for the years ahead, too!). Then, it was party time with appetizers and desserts including a custom 15th Anniversary fruit bouquet with extra special white chocolate dipped pineapple stars.
15th Birthday Fruit Bouquet
Our guests can get in on the 15th birthday celebration, too! Right now we have a very special offer for $15 dipped fruit boxes (that’s up to 40% off) through April 16th. It’s just one of the way we’re showing our gratitude and saying thank you for an amazing 15 years.
Here’s to 15 phenomenal years, and many more to come!
Want to wish us a Happy Birthday? Use the comments section below to share your favorite Edible Arrangements® memory.
We are always proud to share the news the hard work of our team gets recognized, and we couldn’t be more excited to be part of Internet Retailer’s latest list of social media heavy hitters: the 2014 Social Media 500! The list is compiled of North American web merchants driving the most traffic and sales from social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube. This is our first time appearing on this list, making our debut at number 499.
Social media marketing is an important part of our marketing strategy, and we are constantly working to deliver engaging content, build our social following and to cultivate true brand ambassadors for Edible Arrangements®. So, it’s truly an honor for us to be part of a list that helps establish industry benchmarks for social performance.
Edible Arrangements® has also appeared on the Internet Retailer Top 500 list for the past two year in a row, breaking the Top 100 each time. We were also previously recognized for our social media marketing efforts on 1851’s Social 100, a list of the “Most Successful Franchises in Social Media.”
To see what we’re up to on social, make sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest now!
For a limited time only, Edible Arrangements® is offering one exceptionally sweet deal: Get a FREE Apple Fruit Truffles® 6-piece box with any purchase of $65 or more!
This highly appealing offer shines the spotlight on one of our newest and most exciting chocolate dipped fruit creations: Fruit Truffles®, which are bites of fresh Granny Smith apple dipped in gourmet semisweet chocolate with tempting toppings.
Click, call or visit to place your order before this offer ends on March 16th, 2014.
Leading into Valentine’s Day 2014, you may have seen our Edible Arrangements® national television campaign airing during some exciting primetime programming! A few of our most prominent TV spot placements included the Beatles 50th Anniversary Special and American Idol, and we appeared during several NCAA basketball games, the Olympics, as the finale of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and the finale of the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. These prime commercial airings were just part of our robust, 360 degree national marketing plan for 2014!
For the rest of this year, we plan to focus our national TV efforts on the optimum balance of holidays, everyday occasions, and support for some exciting new product launches, too! You’ll want to say tuned to see what we have coming up next!
Tell us where you’ve seen our TV spots airing in the comments section below!
Trying to find an extra special Valentine’s Day gift for your special someone this year? We’ve got you (chocolate) covered. Each holiday, we issue a gift guide exclusively for our email subscribers, but we’re giving you an inside look at some of our fresh picks for Valentine’s Day 2014 here, too!
With so many delicious options for Valentine’s Day this year, the only question is, how will you decide?!?
To make sure that you receive our gift guides for Valentine’s Day and other holidays s (not to mention special offers and exclusive savings), make sure you sign up to receive our emails here.
At Edible Arrangements® we take pride in our marketing strategy and where it has brought us to date. From the first national television campaign in 2008 to working with a renowned artist to create worlds entirely out of fruit in 2012, we have without a doubt blazed the path in the fresh fruit category. Over the years, our marketing strategy has changed to adapt to the needs of our business, evolving from the essential first step of creating national brand awareness to driving long term brand affinity and ultimately, sales. As we celebrate our 15th anniversary, it’s important that we continue to evolve in order to keep our marketing strategies fresh (no pun intended).
To set us up for near-term and long-term growth, we are excited to announce our new Chief Marketing Officer, Jeff Lobb. He joins Edible Arrangements® with over 30 years of experience in marketing in the United States and Canada at such renowned companies as Nestle,PepsiCo and Walmart. In joining Edible Arrangements®, Jeff’s goal is to build a marketing organization that is “best in class”. This will not only make for memorable and effective marketing campaigns, but it will empower our franchise partners by providing them with content to utilize and promote at the local level, in turn, growing our business to continue on the path to success.
With Jeff’s leadership and knowledge in his field backed by a strong team of marketing professionals including the corporate team and our agency partners, we are committed to presenting consumers with a new, exciting marketing campaign. We are confident that Jeff’s leadership and vision will contribute to another 15 years of success.
Our newest fresh fruit smoothies make their debut this week exclusively in our Edible To Go® locations, including unique, tasty and trendy fruit combinations. Our new “Green Smoothies” include Kale-Pineapple, Kale-Pineapple-Banana, Kale-Pineapple-Honeydew and Kale-Pineapple-Cantaloupe. We also have three new Chocolate Indulgence® Smoothies, featuring Chocolate Banana, Chocolate Strawberry or Chocolate Pineapple. (It’s like drinking out chocolate dipped fruit through a straw!)
Visit your local Edible To Go® store and order one of our newest smoothies today, and tell us which one delights your taste buds the most in the comments below!
Bloggers Note: You’ve probably noticed that we use Papyrus in our logo. (And if you haven’t, just ask any graphic designer you know — we’re pretty sure they have.) We get comments pretty frequently on social media and otherwise from people who have opinions about our use of this font. Well, it’s been in in our logo since the very beginning… and who knows what may happen in the future… but in the spirit of fun and a little humor, please enjoy our take on what Papyrus would say about our long relationship.
Dear Fruit Fans,
Fifteen years later, and I think now is the perfect time to talk about something that’s been on my mind a lot lately. This has been one of the longest and most fulfilling relationships of my life, and it all started in 1999 when Edible Arrangements® was founded. When the sign went up for the very first store in East Haven, CT, it featured yours truly, Papyrus. Now, in over 1,000 locations worldwide, there I am, still front and center.
But I see what people sometimes say about me nowadays. I’ve noticed the comments about me on social media, and I admire Edible Arrangements® for defending me. I’m grateful for their loyalty as a founding member of #TeamPapyrus.
And, I’m happy to see that there are others (like @DavidVogelDotCo and @ToeMarroe) that also appreciate and respect the commitment Edible Arrangements® and I share.
There are very few other than my good friend, Comic Sans, who can understand my pain. We often talk over lunch about our relationships and the connections he’s made with #TeamComicSans. While we know it’s never easy to be a part of the font industry, it’s no secret that Helvetica and Myriad Pro have it easier. I mean, how often do you see a blog or tweet bashing either of those guys?!
Okay Fruit Fans — sorry, if I’ve gotten a little off topic with my sob story — I’m usually much more relaxed. I just get so frustrated sometimes! (I spend a lot of time at day spas to unwind.) My point is, while I’m more than certain Edible Arrangements® knows how much you love them and appreciates your brand loyalty, I appreciate their loyalty and dedication all these years. #ForBetterOrWorse
I hope you can understand… and maybe even cut me a little slack. 🙂
We’re just a few days into 2014, and we’re already officially announcing one of our most anticipated product launches of the year! Our NEW Dipped Pineapple Pop™ bundles are now available online, in stores, and by phone! These awesome fresh fruit treats are made with just the good stuff – fresh fruit, gourmet chocolate and tempting toppings – making them a fresh choice for your party favors, bridal showers, baby showers, weddings, birthdays, kids parties, classroom events… you get the idea! Plus, they’re available in 12, 24, and 36-count bundles, so you can order to suit any occasion, large or small.
Starting today as part of our Guest Appreciation Event, you can enter to win an entire year of fruit bouquets from Edible Arrangements®! That’s right — this could be the BEST. YEAR. EVER. If you’re our lucky winner, we’ll send a different arrangement to you every month!
For your chance to win, visit us online at www.edible.com/2014 and submit your email address. To increase your chances of winning, you can enter daily. AND, if you visit your local store, you can get TEN more entries, too!
Find all the details here, and enter now through January 31st, 2014 for your chance to win!
Candi Connors, owner of Edible Arrangements® stores in Tewksbury, Methuen, and Haverville, Massachusetts, pictured with Edible Arrangements® International's Vice President of Compliance, Sarju Patel.
Edible Arrangements® franchise partner, Candida “Candi” Connors, first became interested in owning a store as a customer herself — back in 2004, Candi wanted to send her mother an arrangement in an area of Massachusetts that did not yet have an Edible Arrangements® store close enough to offer local delivery. Was this fate? Candi thinks so.
Read the entire story in this article from Wicked Local Tewksbury.
Candi Connors, owner of Edible Arrangements® stores in Tewksbury, Methuen, and Haverville, Massachusetts, pictured with Edible Arrangements® International’s Vice President of Compliance, Sarju Patel.
With Christmas just a few weeks away, we are officially in holiday party season! We have tons of great ideas to help you keep this year’s party fresh — visit our Holiday Party Ideas Pinterest board now for inspiration and tips for your décor, centerpieces, and more (including some of the cutest Christmas photo booth props ever).
Here are a few bonus tips to make your holiday party run smoothly this year:
Try to prepare as much as possible the night before — that includes all of the decorating, and some food prep as well. And if you have your hands full with appetizers, we can help make your life a little easier by delivering a fresh, gourmet dessert!
Create a playlist with your favorite holiday music to set the tone of the party. This way, you’re not playing host and DJ on the day of the main event.
A great centerpiece can inspire the rest of your holiday décor. You can order a fresh fruit bouquet for your table from Edible Arrangements® now, and it will be made fresh for pickup or delivery on your party date.
For even more great options for your holiday party, visit www.edible.com.
This holiday season, we’ve expanded our national reach by scheduling our new “When Words Fail” TV spot to air during some of the most popular and highly anticipated holiday programming. We know many of our current and potential guests will be huddled around the TV for this appointment viewing, so our goal is to help drive brand awareness around this key holiday time period.
If you were watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, you probably saw us then! We are thrilled to have had our holiday commercial air during such a historically popular parade, and are even more pleased that this year’s parade received its highest TV ratings since 2002. The next major sighting of our commercial was aired during the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting on Wednesday, December 4th.
In addition, we will have a spot during the Sound of Music Live, starring Carrie Underwood and Stephen Moyer, airing tonight, Thursday, December 5th at 8 p.m. EST on NBC… and that’s still not all! Our commercial will be featured during several other hot holiday programs on NBC throughout the month of December, allowing us to reach millions of viewers!
We’re excited to have our commercial air during these major holiday programs, hosted and starring some of the biggest names show business. Let us know which program you saw our commercial in the comments section below!
The Edible Arrangements® corporate offices in Wallingford, Conn. began a new stage of expansion last fall, with the purchase of a 23,057-square-foot commercial building and its accompanying five acre property.
“With 150 employees at our corporate headquarters, we were quickly outgrowing our corporate offices,” says Kamran Farid, COO of Edible Arrangements International. “We wanted to expand our property in Wallingford, rather than uproot our staff and move to a new location. Purchasing this building was the best way to make that happen, and we’re looking forward to future expansion and continuing to build our team.”
Future plans will connect the two properties and create a beautiful suburban campus-like environment.
This marks the most exciting office expansion project since our initial corporate relocation from Dixwell Avenue in Hamden, Conn. back in 2007. In the five years since, as the Edible Arrangements® has grown to over 1,100 franchise stores in 15 countries worldwide, the corporate headquarters has also continued to grow in support of the brand.
Dec. 1, 2011 — Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in hand-sculpted, fresh-fruit arrangements, announced today that it has doubled its veteran’s discount from $5,000 to $10,000 off its initial franchise fee. This savings of $10,000 is now being offered to all qualified U.S. veterans and further demonstrates Edible Arrangements’ commitment to assisting more veterans make the transition from the military to the civilian and business community.
“The veteran franchisees in our system have proven to be incredible leaders and dedicated to operating a successful business, despite the difficult economic conditions over the past several years,” said Tariq Farid, CEO and Founder, Edible Arrangements, Inc. “We’re excited to offer such a deep discount that re-emphasizes our commitment, and hope that by doing so we help more veterans find their way to business ownership.”
One out of every seven franchise businesses are owned and operated by veterans of the U.S. military, according to a recent study conducted for the International Franchise Association Educational Foundation based on U.S. Census data. More than 66,000 veteran-owned franchise businesses in the U.S. provide jobs directly for 815,000 Americans, and generate more than $41 billion in GDP.
“Edible Arrangements provided me with the necessary training, tools and support to help me grow my business and succeed,” said Maurice Welton, Edible Arrangements Franchisee and U.S. Veteran. “In fact, I just opened my third store in Brownsville, Texas last week and it’s already off to a great start. I encourage other veterans to explore the franchise business model and take advantage of Edible Arrangements’ significant discount.”
Since Edible Arrangements was founded 12 years ago, the fresh-fruit retailer has grown to 1,096 locations in 14 countries worldwide. The company has earned countless accolades from the franchise industry since its inception, including its ranking as first in its category by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Annual “Franchise 500” Ranking for the past five consecutive years and the winner of the ICSC’s 2010 Hot Retailer Award. In addition, the Edible Arrangements has also ranked for seven consecutive years in Inc. Magazine’s top 5,000 fastest growing privately-held companies, ranked ninth on Forbes “2011 Top Franchises to Start for the Money” and was recently named one of Inc’s “10 Promising Franchises for 2011.”
Individuals seeking to own and operate an individual Edible Arrangements franchise should possess the ability to invest approximately $148,000 to $286,000. The initial franchise fee is $30,0000; however, all qualified veterans will receive a $10,000 discount with the company’s new veterans program. Multi-unit store development plans and financing options are also available for qualified applicants. Edible Arrangements offers its franchisees comprehensive corporate and onsite training, unparalleled technology, daily store support and national brand recognition marketing programs.
All franchise offerings are made only by Franchise Disclosure Document.
For the entire month of October, we hosted a Fresh Fall Giveaway on Facebook, giving one lucky fruit fan a complimentary fresh fruit bouquet or dipped fruit box each week! The purpose of the giveaway was to increase awareness for this year’s Autumn Collection, and to increase engagement on Facebook.
To enter, guests had to first “Like” us onFacebook, fill out an entry form signing up to receive our promotional emails, and answer our True or “Falls” trivia question of the week. Anyone who answered correctly was automatically entered for a chance to win. (And if that’s not easy enough, all of the answers to the trivia question could be found on the Edible Arrangements® Facebook timeline!)
While the giveaway was hosted on Facebook, we also cross-promoted it on all of our social media pages including Twitter, Google+, and Instagram, and to our current email subscribers as well.
The results:
Over 18,000 entries
More than 10,000 new emails subscribers
Over 7,000 new “likes” on Facebook during the giveaway period
Posts related to this promotion resulted in over 690,000 impressions on Facebook alone
To see our latest social media promotions and activity, make sure you follow Edible Arrangements® on Facebook now!
The early bird gets the fruit this holiday season at Edible Arrangements®! From November 1st through November 24th, you can enjoy two extra sweet offers when you shop early for fulfillment in the month of December.
Early Bird Specials: $10 off any order up to $99 OR a FREE mixed chocolate dipped fruit box with any purchase of $100 or more!* Find out more, including the coupon codes you’ll need to take advantage of these offers, on our Early Bird page here. *See Early Bird offer page for details.
So, when will you start your holiday shopping this year? Tell us in the comments below!
Local Economy Benefits As Facility Opens Serving Over 900 Retail Locations in the US and Canada –
WALLINGFORD, Conn., April 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in hand-sculpted, fresh-fruit arrangements, announced today the opening of a new west coast design and distribution center located at 14540 Innovation Drive in Riverside, California. The new facility belongs to BerryDirect, LLC which sources and manages the containers designed specifically for Edible Arrangements’ artistically designed fresh fruit products.
How do you keep a smooth supply chain when you sell perishable goods on an international scale? Edible Arrangements’s COO Kamran Farid shares his secret.
(Edible Arrangements’s COO Kamran Farid talks about supply chain challenges and solutions as the company continues to expand overseas.)
In 1999, the first Edible Arrangements store, which offered delivery fruit bouquets, opened in East Haven, Connecticut. Today, brothers Tariq and Kamran Farid have an empire over 1,000 stores, spanning 10 countries like Italy, Saudi Arabia, Puerto Rico, and Turkey. But banking their business on perishable fruit bouquets poses unique supply chain challenges as the company continues to expand overseas. Kamran, the company’s COO, recently spoke to Inc.com‘s Nicole Carter.
When you are considering entering a market overseas, what are the initial steps?
We actually go there, scout out the produce markets and local farms. That’s step one. We try to figure out what they grow, and if that can compliment what we want to sell. When you look at our arrangements, there are five or six basic fruits. If we find the fruits we are looking for, we then look at sizing, pricing, what the yeilds would be (since the box units vary in size from place to place), and then we see if the price model will work.
What happens if a foreign market doesn’t produce one of your desired fruits locally?
We either fly in the item or compliment with a similar local item. Take pineapples—which don’t grow everywhere. The pineapples used in our Dubai or Saudi Arabia stores are usually flown in from somewhere else, like Costa Rica. Also, the best strawberries are usually from right here in the United States. We ship those to a lot of our overseas markets. Our dry goods are also, for the most part, shipped in. We’ve actually just opened a warehouse in Dubai, which helps streamline a lot of the shipping process. If we can’t ship in, we substitute with something similar in color, taste, and texture. We try to find a balance.
What if the locals don’t like the fruits in the traditional arrangements?
This is, of course, something else we consider. What does the local market want? In Saudi Arabia, you’ll see dates in the arrangements, which is a local favorite.
What was the biggest challenge when you guys decided to expand?
Definitely picking the right producers to partner with. We need a partner that is a master in that market, because it’s very important to have someone that can help further develop the brand. We say no to a lot of deals, but I’m okay with that. It’s about quality. Bottomline: If we can’t do an item and do it well, I don’t want to be there.
Which international location has been growing the fastest?
Saudi Arabia is a top market and so is Dubai. There’s a lot of extra income in those markets and, when it comes time to give a unique gift, we do well.
What’s next on the international check list?
Korea. China. We just signed a deal in India, and we will be opening soon. But there’s no longterm list. We are doing this one step at a time, because we want to be good at it.
It seems that there is quite a cross-cultural demand for fruit bouquets!
That’s the beauty of fruit. We can adapt it to whatever holiday or culture because at the end of the day, people like eating fruit.
In the past few years, we began to see a distinct trend on social media – more and more guests were seeking “social customer service.” While many guests do still use more “traditional” customer service routes [like calling our Call Center or a local Edible Arrangements® store directly, or contacting us through our website or email] many people turn to our Facebook and Twitter brand pages for customer service. That’s why we created our Edible Arrangements® Social Media Concierge Team. As a result, no comment goes unread, and we respond to all feedback, both positive and negative, in a timely way.
The Good (aka Compliments): It’s always great to hear about the WOW-worthy experiences our guests have when one of our fresh fruit bouquets or gourmet chocolate dipped fruit boxes is delivered! Our guests regularly post about these special moments on our social pages, often including photos. (We LOVE this!) And when local Edible Arrangements® stores receive a compliment or call out from a guest on social media, we always share that positive feedback with them. Our Social Media Concierge Team always writes a personal “Thank You” to the local store on behalf of the guest, including their comments, to make sure our local Fruit Experts® know that the work they do each day doesn’t go unnoticed.
The Not as Good (aka Complaints): Of course, we know that there are times when things might not go exactly as planned, and we want our social media pages to be an open forum. It’s really important to us for our guests to be able to share both the good and bad experiences they may have had. We believe it’s an opportunity for us to get honest feedback, to learn from it, and to improve. So, in any case where a guest may not have been WOW-ed, we respond right away to try to resolve the issue quickly. On platforms like Twitter, it can be a challenge to respond sincerely, effectively… and briefly! Since we’re limited to 140 characters or less, we typically ask that guests on Twitter send an email to us at a dedicated account so we can work with them to get more details. But no matter how a guest may contact us, once we receive any complaint, we always work closely with our local franchise partners to make them aware of the issue and to turn a not-so-great experience into a WOW.
What do you think? How do usually contact companies for customer service? Have you ever used social media to post a compliment or complaint? What was your experience? Tell us in the comments below and keep the conversation going!
Did you know that Edible Arrangements® offers same-day service? Even though same-day pickup and delivery have been a part of our stores’ operations since the early days, we know that there are still a lot of guests (or potential guests) who aren’t aware of this great and convenient service option.
So, what are we doing to make sure people know that Edible Arrangements® is the ultimate choice for fast, fresh, last-minute gifts that are available same-day? Read about some of the ways we’re promoting same-day service in this recent Marketing Sherpa article.
Looking for a last-minute fresh fruit gift yourself? Shop now!
What are some of your go-to choices when you need something same-day? Did you already know that Edible Arrangements® offers same-day pickup and delivery? Tell us in the comments below.
Have you ever wondered where our pink chocolate-filled collection of Breast Cancer Awareness arrangements originated? Edible Arrangements® franchise partner, Candi Connors, and one-time employee and breast cancer survivor, Kathy Smith, from our Methuen store shared the story behind our Breast Cancer Awareness Collection with the Boston Herald this weekend. Read the full story to find out more: https://bit.ly/16HPqCs
[box_light]And, make sure to check out our Breast Cancer Awareness Collection this month here: https://bit.ly/1clOkNz[/box_light]
It might be hard to believe that we’re more than three-quarters of the way through 2013, but nothing reminds us that another year is almost over like the roll out of our next official wall calendar. And, the 2014 annual Edible Arrangements® calendar will be available in participating stores starting in mid-October! This calendar features a colorful spread of fresh fruit arrangements and chocolate dipped fruit boxes that will brighten up any home or office wall next year, and reminds our guests to visit us for their special occasions all year long, of course. We’ve also filled the 2014 Edible Arrangements® calendar with exclusive savings and special offers, sneak peeks at some of our upcoming promotions, plus monthly events and fun fruit facts.
Call or stop by your local Edible Arrangements® store to find out if they have our 2014 calendars available starting on or around October 15th, 2013.
Local Edible Arrangements® stores sell individual pineapple pops (and pineapple pop bundles) for a fresh fruit treat, available any time. From fresh pineapple daisies to chocolate dipped cupcake-shaped pineapple, these fresh fruit pops are the perfect way to enjoy a little something sweet, for any reason at all (even if that’s just walking the dog)!
Recently, our social media team started spotting a fresh pineapple pop trend: people were posting their photos of our pineapple pops in fun and interesting ways, and in everyday settings, on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! We were inspired. We decided to use what social media users and Edible Arrangements® fans were already doing on their own to launch an engaging mini-movement around this idea. Thus, we created Pineapple Pop-arazzi!
The idea: capture some of our own pineapple pop images, and invite social media users to do the same. The photos can be unique, artistic, adorable or exciting, but they can also be suuuuper simple. (After all, who doesn’t love seeing those photos of celebrities doing something “normal” like pumping their own gas or buying their own groceries? We think the same idea applies here – pineapple pops can be enjoyed while you’re on a wild Las Vegas vacation or just on your office lunch break!) Then, we post or share the best pineapple pop photos on the Edible Arrangements® social media pages.
It’s been just a few short weeks since we introduced the idea of “Pineapple Pop-arazzi” to our social media fans and followers, but it’s official – no pineapple pop is safe from those telephoto lenses and iPhone cameras!
Share your best pineapple pop shots with us now on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. We want to see your fresh takes, and (of course) we’ll repost our favorites.
To help support the marketing efforts of local Edible Arrangements® stores, earlier this summer, we rolled out a new and improved Marketing Module for our franchisees! Our goal was to provide all Edible Arrangements® franchisees an easy to use “one stop shop” to manage all of their local store marketing activity, from planning and implementation to tracking and more.
The new Edible Arrangements® local Marketing Module enhances upon our existing capabilities, and introduces brand new marketing features to our franchise system as well. Some of the latest enhancements include a new dashboard with easy-to-use navigation panel, a dedicated section for system-wide best practices and case studies from fellow Edible Arrangements® franchisees, a variety of local marketing toolkits that house marketing materials promoting everything from holidays to new product launches and so much more!
Interested in learning more about Edible Arrangements® franchise opportunities? Submit your information here and one of our Franchise Development Consultants will contact you!
They’re small, round, gourmet chocolate dipped apple goodness, and they’re covered with a variety of toppings like rich chocolate micro drops, cinnamon chocolate and white drizzle. They’re our NEW Fruit Truffles®— the latest fresh fruit creation to hit Edible Arrangements®!
On Tuesday, September 3rd, we unveiled a new, expanded collection of Fruit Truffles®, including dipped fruit boxes and fruit arrangements. There are three variations of 30-count Fruit Truffles® boxes: Premier, Swizzle , and Classic Apple Fruit Truffles®. We also have a sweet selection of smaller, 6-piece boxes, which you can add to any order during checkout. And, we have a number of Fruit Truffles® arrangements in our collection, too, like the Delicious Fruit Design® Swizzle Apple Fruit Truffles®. Plus, we’ve also introduced half-dozen and full-dozen Fruit Truffles® add-on options, so you can add our Swizzle Apple Fruit Truffles® into any arrangement design during checkout!
These all new tasty fruit treats, made from the freshest Granny Smith apples, are the perfect gift for birthdays, business gifts, and any other special event or everyday occasion.
Have you tried our new Fruit Truffles® yet? Tell us what you think in the comments section below!
For the eighth year in a row, Edible Arrangements® made the Inc. 5000 list! The list, released annually by Inc. Magazine, ranks the top 5000 fastest growing, privately-held companies in the United States. Find out where Edible Arrangements® ranks this year, and take a look at the full Inc. 5000 list here.
What does Inc. say the top 5000 all have in common? Performance!
We’re thrilled to officially announce that we’ve chosen creative powerhouse The Richards Group as our new creative advertising agency, and industry leader Horizon Media as our new media agency of record.
The Richards Group is the largest independently owned agency in the country, and has worked on breakthrough creative for an all-star list of recognizable brands, including Chick-fil-A, The Home Depot, T.G.I. Friday’s, Motel 6, and many others. Their memorable “Farmer” commercial for Ram Truck definitely left an impression on us, and it was ranked by many services as the #1 commercial on the 2013 Super Bowl telecast!
Horizon Media is one of the fastest growing media services agencies, and is currently ranked as the 8th largest in the US according to Advertising Age (which also named Horizon to their Best Places to Work list for two years running)! Horizon has racked up industry awards and recognition, earning thinkLA’s 2013 Media Agency of the Year, MediaPost’s 2011 Independent Media Agency of the Year, Fast Company’s 2011 Most Innovative Marketing and Advertising Campaigns.
We are so excited to work with these amazing new agency partners, and together, to take the Edible Arrangements® brand to the next level. We are planning to launch our first new campaigns later this year, and we cannot wait to share more, so stay tuned!
Read more about our new partnerships, and see what our CEO Tariq Farid has to say, here.
Today, for the first time ever, Edible Arrangements® is hosting a flash sale exclusively for our fans and followers on social media. The offer? From 4-7pm EST on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013, we’re giving away free 6-count dipped fruit boxes with any online purchase!
In order to redeem this special offer, guests will need to place an order online between the hours of 4pm and 7pm EST today, and enter one of 2 exclusive coupon codes at checkout. The required coupon codes can only be found on the Edible Arrangements® Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram pages.
(The tough part will be deciding between the two tasty free box choices: our 6-ct Tropical Sunrise™ box and our new 6-ct Double Indulgence™ box!)
“We’re proud to be the title sponsor of the IFA’s 2013 FranCamp event,” said Edible Arrangements® Vice President of Operations, Frank Garrido. “Being engaged and continuing to improve our digital marketing and technology as the space and trends move so fast is imperative to our long term success.”
At Edible Arrangements® we’re constantly pursuing opportunities to learn more about how we can further optimize our email program, and engage our email subscribers in new, innovative and (ultimately) successful ways! Last week, we attended Responsys Interact 2013, the yearly conference “designed for marketers, by marketers” to get more email insights from industry experts.
“Attending the Responsys Interact conference was truly inspiring,” said Wambui Kihanya, Senior Lead Ecommerce Manager at Edible Arrangements International. “It’s always great to engage one-on-one with our Responsys team, and others who are using the same platform. We were all there to learn more about engaging our guests at the right time, via the right channel, with the right message.”
The conference, held from May 21 – 23 at the Marriott Marquis in San Francisco, CA, welcomed a variety of high profile presenters from the online marketing community, as well as speakers and leaders in related industries.
Merchandising our storefronts is a huge opportunity for us to engage with Guests, whether they are driving by or walking in. And, with such beautiful products available year-round, we want to make sure that our Guests are always aware of the new and seasonal items we offer. To that end, we send an Edible Arrangements® store Signage Kit to every North American Edible Arrangements® store twice a year; each kit supports holidays, new product launches, promotions and everyday occasions for a 6-month period.
Our most recent Signage Kit arrived in local stores in the United States, Canada, Quebec and Puerto Rico just last week! The latest kit highlights key products from Father’s Day through the December holiday gifting season. Each Signage Kit includes both Window Signs and Interior Posters. In addition, our most recent kit also includes several key local store marketing pieces, like hang tags and box inserts.
Our Signage Kit project is a collaboration among many corporate teams including Marketing, Strategy and Research & Development. Once all teams align on the product features, the Marketing team works with our national agency of record on the creative execution, including crafting attention-grabbing headlines and capturing beautiful photography from a skilled food photographer.
We’re focused on making every local Edible Arrangements® storefront a destination for shoppers. In sending these Signage Kits to Edible Arrangements® franchise partners twice a year, we hope to help draw even more guests into our stores, create an inviting atmosphere, and shine a spotlight on key products during crucial selling periods.
Take a peek in the windows of your nearest store to see some of our latest work now!
Why do you like your favorite brands? Assuming Edible Arrangements® is one of your top picks, you might initially like us because you like our fresh fruit bouquets and chocolate dipped fruit. Then, you might “like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to stay updated on our latest promotions and product launches. While that’s a part of what we offer Edible Arrangements® fans and followers on social media, we believe social media users are more engaged and more invested when they see complementary content that supports our overall message: that a truly fruitful life is one that is healthier, more fun, and filled with surprise and delight daily!
We want our friends, fans and followers on social media to find value in having us appear on their newsfeeds. When you see a post pop up on your newsfeed that makes you laugh, teaches you something new, or even gives you a great recipe idea to try at home, it’s always a plus, right? That’s why part of our social media strategy is to provide exclusive social content that is relatable, useful and entertaining. That’s what we mean by a “shareable” post; a “shareable post” is something that you see that makes you want to pass that message along to your own network of friends or followers. (After all, why would anyone share irrelevant, useless, boring content?)
And when you scroll through your feed, how cool is it to find a recipe for a drink or product that you can’t buy at a local store? Everyone loves a DIY project! Our goal is to give our guests tips and tricks to “WOW” their own guests at home.
For our social media team, collaborating to produce “shareable” content is one of our own favorite projects…well, because it’s fun! We get to create custom images at impromptu photo shoots, taste test our own fresh fruit recipes, research fresh tips that are truly unique and more.
To get an inside look at shareable content from Edible Arrangements®, make sure you like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, add us on Google+ and follow us on Pinterest.
What kind of social content makes you want to “share?” Tell us in the comments below and keep the conversation going!
Three months ago I made a return visit to Beijing after being away for eight years. As soon as I stepped off the plane I was amazed at the difference. I remembered many of the sights I saw along the way, but they were not recognizable. Everything in view was much more developed, sophisticated and modern – I could have been in any city in the US or Europe! Before I even reached my hotel, I was convinced that Edible Arrangements had to expand into China. I visited two more times since then, and have been diligently working towards the goal of bringing Edible Arrangements to China.
We are honored to be coming to Beijing, to one of the best locations in the city. I am convinced that the success we have achieved in this venture so far is directly connected to the great people we’ve met, and to the people we expect to serve here – our first franchisee and the initial consumers who will show their confidence in our brand by becoming Edible Arrangements customers.
I feel blessed to be able to partner with our China Master and GOD wiling we look forward to working together to WOW every consumer in beautiful Beijing and all of China.
This week is a very special week for a special group of people. This week, May 20-26, is National Small Business Week, which recognizes the enormous contributions that small businesses, small business owners, make in our economy and in millions of people’s lives. As the President, and many economists, correctly state day in and day out –small businesses are the backbone of our economy.
Not only do small businesses help drive the economy and employ millions of people, but small businesses are the leaders in innovation which create new markets and new jobs. I will always be a small businessman at heart, and will always operate Edible Arrangements like a small business (as should you) no matter how many people we employ or revenue generated. What I mean is that no matter how large your business becomes, your business must never lose that entrepreneurial spirit, desire for change and to push boundaries, and commitment for innovation. Those characteristics make any business thrive, no matter the size. You must always seek to improve, to change to stay ahead of the competition or enter new markets, take calculated yet informed risks, and act with intelligent passion, and never get stifled by a rigid corporate hierarchy or culture.
Probably one of the most satisfying aspects for me in being a part of Edible Arrangements astounding growth from the first franchised location in 2001 to over 1,000 locations worldwide today is watching so many people realize their dreams of becoming small business owners. Just like me when I opened my first flower shop when I was a teenager, so many people have a passion to chart their own destiny and open their own business. It’s part of the American psyche and in its DNA –a thirst for entrepreneurship and mapping your own path. The opportunity is there –now grasp it! I find it encouraging that according to media reports, more than half of today’s youth, particularly the more than 46 million Millennials (people in their 20’s to early 30’s), or Generation Y as they are known (I wonder who comes up with these names) want to start their own businesses. Naysayers may say that this is because of the economy and difficulty in finding a job, but I would like to believe there is more to it than that. I believe that people are finally recognizing the personal satisfaction, challenge, enrichment and opportunity available by becoming a small business owner, and the desire to have more control over their lives.
People such as Judy Annunziata, an Edible Arrangements franchisee who opened her first store in Newburgh, NY in 2006, and now owns 2 more stores in Middletown and Monroe, NY, was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug at an early age. She worked in the family restaurant for years before temporarily getting a “corporate” job as a paralegal then, after realizing her passion belongs in the small business world, went back to the family restaurant before opening her first Edible Arrangements store. I would like to also add that Judy is now also the face of Edible Arrangements as she is featured in our latest whimsical “World of Edible Arrangements” TV commercial. So many people are like Judy, except for starring in a TV commercial, who share a dream and a passion to be a small business owner, and then act on it.
Let’s all celebrate small business week together, and maybe, just maybe someday soon, you will finally carry out your dreams of becoming an entrepreneur and start your own business. I’m living my dreams as a business owner helping others becoming small business owners. Nothing makes me happier than celebrating their successes.
Have you ever been so moved by a special person that you become so grateful that there are people like them in this world. People whose generosity of spirit and caring for others shines brightly on everyone they touch and come in contact with.This year at the Edible Arrangements Annual Convention I was so proud to give the award for the North American Franchisee of the Year, and along with it our own soon to be fabled blue jacket, to one of the most amazing franchisees we have in our system, Reva Gartzke of Austin, Texas. What makes Reva so special is not just her business acumen and razor-sharp intellect, but her generosity and caring for others. I’ve always believed that the true mark of person, how that person will be viewed by others and the world, is determined by their unselfish willingness to sacrifice and care for, assist and lead others. I believe Reva embodies these attributes and makes her a giant in our franchise system and in her community.
Reva Gartzke and Tariq Farid at the 2012 Edible Arrangements Convention
In the past 6 or so years I have known Reva, she has opened three very successful stores, two in Austin and one in Round Rock, with a fourth coming soon in Cedar Park. More importantly, she has been instrumentally involved with helping us improve operational efficiencies throughout the system. I, and all of my colleagues at Edible Arrangements and the other franchisees, value her opinion highly. What struck me even more at the convention was a video shown just before the award was given to Reva where three of her employees passionately described what Reva means to them. Their heartfelt testimonials proved to all of us the impact Reva has on their lives, the impact she has on many people’s lives. All of them described her compassion and caring for them and others, interest in their well-being and leadership in helping them build successful lives and careers. She shows the same caring for her guests as she does her employees, friends and strangers. To Reva, it’s not just about business, it’s about people.
In addition, Reva, like many of our franchisees, is active in her community. But I feel her involvement and total commitment in one cause sets her apart. Reva is heavily involved in Big Brothers Big sisters and has been for many years. She is so involved and appreciated that in 2010 she was named the Texas Big sister of the Year. Please watch a video of Reva and her little sister, Nacaya, by clicking Here.
All of us at Edible Arrangements feel privileged to have the opportunity to know Reva, and grateful for having her as franchisee. She is a friend and leader to so many. For Reva understands that when you gave back you get so much more in return.
Pioneer in Fresh-Fruit Arrangements Also Sees Record Increase in Same-Store Sales for Father’s Day
WALLINGFORD, Conn., July 1 /PRNewswire/ — Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in hand-sculpted, fresh fruit arrangements, is rapidly expanding its national footprint with today’s announcement that the company has experienced double-digit growth since January 2009, including the addition of 28 new franchises in 13 states coast-to-coast including Florida, New York, Texas, Missouri, Michigan, Massachusetts, and California, among others.
In addition to its strong franchise sales growth, Edible Arrangements also recorded a 19 percent increase in same-store sales in the U.S. over Father’s Day week compared to the same period last year. Locations in Canada benefitted from a same-store sales increase of 27 percent.
Currently, Edible Arrangements has 887 locations with the goal to have 1,000 units by year 2010, which is part of an aggressive growth strategy that includes expanding in existing markets while continuing its growth in emerging markets such as California, Texas, Arizona, Florida, Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Philadelphia and New York. In addition to finding qualified new franchisees, the company’s growth strategy includes growing its existing franchise base into enterprise multi-unit operators. Of the locations sold above, 16 were purchased by existing franchisees.
“We’ve built a solid franchise system over the last 10 years by giving our franchisees the necessary tools, training and equipment to ensure success,” said Tariq Farid, Founder and CEO, Edible Arrangements, Inc. “Even in a down economy, our company continues to grow and prove its universal and widespread appeal.”
Recently the recipient of the International Franchise Association’s “Entrepreneur of the Year Award,” Farid developed and launched Edible Arrangements in 1999 in East Haven, CT, after many years in the floral industry. He learned early that corporate support can make the difference between a struggling or thriving franchise. It is for this reason that Edible Arrangements offers its franchisees comprehensive corporate and onsite level training, unparalleled technology, national brand recognition and extensive support.
The company’s proprietary technology platform and point-of-sale system is the critical backbone of each Edible Arrangements’ store, where franchisees have 24/7 access to its “industry leading” on-line support system.
Technology also assists in the development of the proprietary tools used to design arrangements, which enhances the product’s look and increases profit margins. The company has developed a fully integrated national marketing program focusing on television, magazine and online advertising.
Since its inception, Edible Arrangements has earned countless accolades from the industry, including its ranking as first in its category by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Annual “Franchise 500” Ranking in 2007, 2008, 2009, as well as one of the magazine’s “HOT 100” franchises in 2008. In addition, the company has ranked for three consecutive years in Inc. Magazine’s top 5,000 fastest growing privately-held companies and AllBusiness.com ranked Edible Arrangements as 23rd in overall growth and 65th in system size due to a doubling of units since 2006.
Individuals seeking to own and operate an Edible Arrangements’ franchise should posses a minimum liquidity of $50,000 and the ability to invest approximately $154,920 – $298,005. Multi-unit store networks are also available for qualified applicants. Financing options are available to qualified applicants. For more information, please visit www.eafranchise.com or call 888.727.4258.
About Edible Arrangements
Edible Arrangements International, Inc., is the leading purveyor of delicious, high quality, artistically designed, fresh fruit arrangements that are a practical and healthy gift. Founded in 1999 in East Haven, CT. by Tariq Farid, Edible Arrangements earned the 27th spot on Entrepreneur Magazine’s “2008 Hot 100 List of Fastest-Growing Businesses in America.” With nearly 900 operating locations worldwide, Edible Arrangements is rapidly expanding across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Italy and throughout the United Arab Emirates. Customers may order arrangements by telephone 1-877-DO-FRUIT, at one of the company’s retail stores, or on-line at ediblearrangements.com.
Husband and wife, Tony and Jennifer, have opened their sixth Edible Arrangements store in Colorado Springs . Tony and Jennifer’s five other stores are located in Arvada, Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver and Parker, Colorado. They have expanded their enterprise rapidly since opening their first store in the summer of 2006. Family and community are important to Tony and Jennifer and it’s a combination of their focus on customer service and attention to detail that have generated such good will in their area. After noticing a flyer in a local newspaper, the couple decided Edible Arrangements provided an excellent business model and an opportunity that would benefit both their family and community. We are so pleased to be able to share in their success. Please be sure to visit one of their stores soon.
Sisters Claudine and Laurie, owners of the Roseville, MN store have just signed an agreement to open an Edible Arrangements store in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They brought a combination of business experience, talent and enthusiasm to their first store, opened in 2006, that is sure to make them successful in their expansion. I know firsthand how gratifying it can be working with family – I started my first business with the help of my parents, and worked with family members over the years in the floral industry, our computer technology companies, and still today at Edible Arrangements!
Like most siblings, Claudine and Laurie share many of the same likes and interests – golf, the Minnesota Twins, and traveling. They also have a good natured debate going on about how they first heard about Edible Arrangements. Laurie says she saw an advertisement in a magazine. Claudine says one of her clients received an Apple Blossom arrangement, and Claudine was so impressed she contacted the store to learn about franchising opportunities. The debate goes on, but their mother thinks she has the answer: Mom insists that the daughters heard about Edible Arrangements through her after she saw the company on the Food Network!
Claudine and Laurie bring a wide range of business skills to their enterprise. Before opening their first Edible Arrangements store Claudine spent over 10 years designing commercial space and selling business owners everything they needed to set up their business. She was also a construction manager for a scenic construction company that designed and built interiors for the Rainforest Café Restaurants and scenery for Betty Crocker, Relax the Back Stores, the WNBA Hall of Fame in Nashville, Disney World, Mall of America and Times Square. In addition to her experience as an EA franchisee, Laurie has many years of office management, volunteer coordination, fundraising, bookkeeping and Human Resources experience in a variety of mid to small organizations and non-profit settings.
I know that these complementary skills will continue to serve Claudine and Laurie well running their Edible Arrangements enterprise. Business administration experience, people management skills, creativity, and passion for what you do are the keys to success for any small businessperson. Claudine and Laurie have it all!
Father and daughter team Ignatius and Kimberly have recently signed an agreement to open their third Edible Arrangements store. This new location will be in Douglasville, Georgia. Franchisees since August of 2006, they currently own stores at 8651 Hiram-Acworth Hwy, Suite 119, in Dallas, Georgia (678-501-5540) and at 2312-C Hunters Woods, Village Center, in Reston, Virginia (703-476-2933).
A new Edible Arrangements® store is coming soon to Johnson City, Tennessee! The new owners are Melissa and Nicholas . Melissa is a personal finance manager and Nicholas is a sales manager with a pharmaceutical company. Congratulations on signing on with Edible Arrangements and welcome to your next business venture!
Alicia Kelso @www.qsrweb.com
