Category: Edible Arrangements

Edible Arrangements was named one of America’s fastest-growing privately held businesses in America by Inc. Magazine and has been ranked first in its category by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Annual “Franchise 500” Ranking for the past seven consecutive years. In 2011, Edible Arrangements was ranked 9th on Forbes.com ‘Top Franchises for the Money” listing. In February of 2009, Tariq was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the International Franchise Association, whose members include more than 1,300 franchise systems, 11,000 franchisees and 500 suppliers. In June 2009 Tariq was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Award in the Retail and Consumer Products category in Metro New York.

I’ve just returned from a two-day special training session sponsored by the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives (ICFE). ICFE held this session right before the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) 52nd Annual Convention so franchise executives could attend both with only one trip away from their businesses. I could not stay for the entire IFA Convention as it conflicted with Valentine’s Day – one of the biggest holidays of the year for Edible Arrangements, but as a Certified Franchise Executive I did not want to miss out on the opportunity to present at one of the ICFE sessions. I was honored to be asked to be a part of the “Managing System Change – Challenges and Opportunities” training session. The session was moderated by Michael Seid, CEO and Managing Partner of MSA Worldwide. Michael has been a huge influence in my life and has helped guide me since the very beginning (I’ll save that story for another blog entry). Other presenters were Kay Ainsley, CFE, Managing Director at MSA Worldwide; John Francis, Strategic Business Advisor at PostNet International Franchise Corporation and Stuart Hershmann, Partner at the law firm of DLA Piper, whose area of expertise is franchise law and who has been Edible Arrangements external franchise attorney, and trusted friend, for many years.

The session focused on the unique challenges of managing change in the context of the franchisor/franchisee relationship and understanding the types of things that drive change: brand innovation, pricing strategies, different classes of franchisee ownership, second generation franchisee ownership, international expansion, mergers and acquisitions, and introducing or eliminating products and services. We also explored case histories with examples of successful and unsuccessful change strategies.

I am particularly interested in the subject of change in business because to me, change is synonymous with growth. A smart company continuously examines its product offerings and operational procedures, and measures what it’s doing against what customers want. If you are not adapting to respond to consumer’s ever-changing appetites, market trends, economic conditions and other factors that directly impact your business, you are not growing. And when you’re not growing, your business is dying. It’s that simple.

ICFE offers a wide range of continuing education programs to franchise executives for professional development. They also offer a certification program that leads to the “Certified Franchise Executive” (CFE) designation. . For more information on becoming a Certified Franchise Executive visit the IFA website.

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What makes for a successful franchisee? That’s certainly not an easy question to answer; in fact, there are many possible answers. But one of them is certainly enthusiasm. In order for your enterprise to work, you must be excited about it. You must be excited about the product you are offering customers. Granted, with a product line as fresh, delicious and visually appealing as that of Edible Arrangements, this part comes easy for many.

Among these enthusiastic franchisees would be Rory and Hillary of New York. They’ve been with us for nearly seven years now, back when we only had a little more than ten percent of the locations we currently do. With stores in Plainview and Port Washington running successfully for years, they will now be adding a third location in Westbury, and I’m sure that the enthusiasm will no doubt be carried right over.

In fact, Hillary—who runs day-to-day operations on the stores while Rory works as territorial manager for a major pharmaceutical company—has already personally expressed her excitement at the new venture. A former sixth grade teacher, Hillary certainly knows what it’s like to manage her time and the needs of many individuals at once. I have great confidence that this new location will be a piece of cake for her—or perhaps more appropriately, a piece of cantaloupe…

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Welcoming a Naval Veteran to the Edible Arrangements Franchise System

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.

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Forbes names Edible Arrangements “Top 20 Franchises for the Buck”

I was honored to learn that Edible Arrangements has been named by Forbes as one of the “Top 20 Franchises for the Buck.” It is a privilege to be recognized for this prominent publication whose reputation as an expert on American business is unparalleled. In developing this list of Top 20 franchises, Forbes considered 110 companies that were recommend by World Franchising, a known franchise expert that provides an online guide to help individuals find the franchise that is right for them. Forbes examined a number of criteria including total locations, average initial investment, domestic growth in the last three years, closure rate over the last three years, and the number of training hours available to franchisees. Forbes is well known for their famous lists, and it’s great to be on such a prestigious one of them! Please go to Forbes.com for the complete article and list

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Franchising: A Family Affair

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.

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