Tariq Farid – Founder of Edible Arrangements ® and Entrepreneur

Happy Thanksgiving!

posted by Tariq Farid November 20, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving! As everyone prepares to gather with friends and family this week, I wanted to take a moment to share how very thankful I am for all that I have received in my life and celebrate this season of giving.

One of the greatest blessings in my life, and the one for which I am most thankful, has been my ability to help those in need. My family and I benefitted so much from the help and compassion of others when we moved to America, and I try to offer that same help whenever I can, to those in need.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to remember those that may need assistance and instill that sense of giving in not only your family but in your employees as well. At Edible Arrangements^®, we offer several ways for our employees to help those in our community, including a partnership with Junior Achievement to offer guidance to local school children. Through not only Edible^® but through our family foundation, I have always strived to help as many people as possible who may need it, and hope that those who have chosen to work with me do the same.

Before you dig into that turkey, I hope you will take a moment to reflect and appreciate all that you have to be thankful for, and I hope that you resolve to help someone in need this holiday season. I hope you all have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Entrepreneurship

Celebrating National Entrepreneurship Month

posted by Tariq Farid November 15, 2018

November is National Entrepreneurship Month- a month meant to celebrate the tenacious spirit of entrepreneurs and the positive and far-reaching impact they have on our economy.

After achieving my own success as Founder of Edible Arrangements®, it is my passion to use my experience to help other budding entrepreneurs who may not have a mentor to guide them. For those who have the drive to succeed, taking that first step can be the most difficult. For all entrepreneurs who are just starting their journey, there are a few key pieces of advice that I often give to ensure that you boost your business and achieve success.

Don’t chase money, it runs really fast. My mother used to always tell me this, and it is critical advice for anyone in business. Do not get wrapped up in the details of making money – focus on building your business and your brand, and the money will follow.
Follow the 60%/20%/20% Rule. Spend 60% of your time planning for the future of your business, 20% looking at past decisions, and 20% maintaining the present and managing day-to-day duties. This balance will keep you and your business from getting stuck in a rut and dwelling on the past or future for too long.
Always ask yourself, “If I were starting this business today, what would I do differently?” Then see if you can implement those ideas now. This is especially important as you grow and bring on additional responsibilities – take a moment to step back and think about where you started and what your overall mission is.

I hope that these tips are helpful to budding entrepreneurs who may be starting their journey. Join me in celebrating all entrepreneurs during this National Entrepreneurship Month, and make sure to support those who are beginning their journey!

Franchising and Franchisees

Providing a Pathway to Business for America’s Veterans

posted by Tariq Farid November 12, 2018

As Veterans Day 2018 – the 100^th anniversary of the end of “The Great War,” – approaches, I wanted to take a moment to honor the patriotism and honorable, selfless service to our country demonstrated by America’s veterans. The dedication it takes to serve one’s country is incredibly admirable, and I have always tried to show my appreciation, not only in my daily life, but also in my business practices.

While our service men and women face many challenges, there are a few ways that franchisors and business owners can make a difference in their lives. The International Franchise Association’s VetFran program was established in 1991 in order to help veterans returning from the first Gulf War get their foot in the door of franchising. The program provides invaluable resources to those who deserve it most by offering veterans and their spouses the ability to access franchise opportunities through education, training, financial assistance, and mentorship. To date, over 200,000 veterans and their families have benefitted from the program.

Edible Arrangements® is proud to be one of nearly 700 franchise brands that participates in VetFran. We currently have many dedicated employees and franchisees that have served our country, and it has always been my firm belief that veterans make some of the best franchisees. They bring training, organizational skills, and a commitment to teamwork that all franchisees must possess.

Offering these men and women a pathway to building their own business is just a small way to thank them for their service. I encourage you all to take a moment on this Veterans Day to thank them for their service, volunteer to help those who are still transitioning to civilian life, and always support veteran-owned businesses!

Edible Arrangements News & Press

Mike Rotondo Joins Edible as CEO

posted by Tariq Farid July 10, 2018

There have been quite a few exciting announcements here at Edible in the last few months – from our second headquarters in Atlanta to the delicious launch of our new granny smith apple donuts. These are just a few of the recent developments that point to a new energy and vibrant creative direction across our organization.

And today, I invite you to embrace another exciting announcement, as we welcome Mike Rotondo as our new Chief Executive Officer. In Mike we have a great champion for our organization. He understands, appreciates, and embraces the exciting future for our franchise network.

This is especially noteworthy as it is the first time we have brought on a CEO, as I have served in this position since founding Edible. Mike is the perfect person to take over these duties, as I move towards expanding our Edible brands.

Mike has arrived at a pivotal time for Edible, as we are in the midst of a rebranding program that will build upon our legacy and simultaneously strengthen our future position with consumers. While we will always offer Edible arrangements — it is the core of our company and the gifting business we know so well — we are in the process of offering more and more treats for our guests, including donuts, dipped fruits, and more. We are also expanding our franchise development goals, something Mike will also spearhead as he brings years of expertise and strategic vision in helping franchisors successfully advance to the next level.

And as we continue to transition into Edible’s next chapter, one thing will never change. I continue to be incredibly grateful for all of our hardworking franchisees and team members without whom our continued success would not be possible.

Edible Arrangements Franchising and Franchisees

Honoring Veterans on Independence Day

posted by Tariq Farid July 2, 2018

Every year on the Fourth of July, in the middle of all the backyard celebrations and fireworks displays, I like to pause and take a moment to remember the great men and women who make holidays like this possible. When I moved to America as a child, I was immediately struck by the patriotism and love for this country that is celebrated every Independence Day. I honor and celebrate all the veterans who make this holiday possible. I’d also like to introduce you to some veterans I’m proud to have in our Edible family.

At Edible, we have many employees and franchisees that have bravely served our country, and I have said for years that veterans make some of the best franchisees. They offer dedicated training, organization skills, and a commitment to teamwork. These qualities are exactly what we look for in franchisees, as we need team members who are not intimidated by the daily challenges of running a business.

Two shining examples of hardworking Edible franchisees are Maurice Welton and Martinez Alexander, two veterans who now operate their own Edible locations in South Texas and Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Maurice has been an Edible franchisee for years; after being forced to leave his home after Hurricane Katrina, he relocated to McAllen, Texas. Now, Maurice operates five successful stores and has become an important figure in his community. Maurice credits his success to the discipline he developed during his time in the military.

Martinez served for twenty-four years, before fulfilling his lifelong dream of owning his own business. Martinez now owns the only Edible store on a military base, giving members of the military and their families a way to show their love.

My enduring support for our veterans makes Edible a perfect partner for the International Franchise Association’s VetFran program, which offers small business ownership opportunities to veterans. Edible has been a proud member for years, and we are always looking to recruit more talented veterans for the Edible family.

While these brave men have shown the power of American entrepreneurship, there are many veterans returning to civilian life who bring positive values and a dedication to hard work. I encourage everyone to hire more veterans and urge all franchisors to bring more veterans into your system.

I hope everyone will join me in honoring these American heroes this Independence Day, and enjoy the holiday!

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