Category: Technology

I still get energized every time a new store opens anywhere, but there’s a particular thrill that comes with opening a new store in a whole new area of a country. The excitement of bringing Edible Arrangements to a new set of people to be amazed by our products is so gratifying, and I love knowing that another new business owner will be bringing happiness to these customers for years to come.

On January 18 Grand Opening ceremonies were held celebrating the newest Edible Arrangements store in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This store is in Al Ain, the fourth largest city in the UAE, which is located on the border with Oman. Our other store in Abu Dhabi is located on the other side of the country in the capital city of Abu Dhabi on the central western coast of the Persian Gulf, so we’re excited to bring the concept to a brand new region of Abu Dhabi.

This newest store is owned by well-known businessman Mohammed Al Khazraji. H.E. Sheikh Salem Bin Mohammed Bin Hamad Bin Rakadh Alamir, Member of the Federal National Council, was a guest of honor at the Grand Opening gala. The store is in a fabulous location at the entrance of the new Jumeirah Hotel which is part of the prestigious Al Ain Mall in the heart of Al Kuwaitat district.

I was so impressed when I first met Mohamed – his business background in IT, food service and the international franchise industry, his education, and his commitment to preserving and enriching his culture. And I consider it an honor that part of that enrichment includes Edible Arrangements. Mohammed’s family has owned an Al Ain based local cuisine catering establishment for the past 20 years. A seasoned IT professional and successful entrepreneur, Mohamed takes his responsibilities towards society seriously as an active member of the renowned charitable organization Wataniya, among others. Mohammed wanted to open an Edible Arrangements business enterprise because he felt that our concept would work well in the niche Arab and Expatriate communities. Now that I’ve met some of them and seen their reactions, I totally agree with his assessment! Mohammed is planning to open more branches in other parts of the district in the coming months, and if the reception he has gotten here is an indicator, his other locations will be just as well received.

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Fred has taken ownership of his second Edible Arrangements store in Mississauga, Ontario in Canada. He opened his first location, also in Mississauga in April of 2010. It was obviously the right choice. In July of 2011, Fred was awarded the “Pineapple Star” award for Canada, one of Edible Arrangements prestigious awarded presented each year at the annual Edible Arrangements Convention. Why did he win this word? Because his passionate about his work -and life. I’ve always believed that if you are passionate in what you do, you will succeed. Fred is the perfect example of a passionate person, as well as an amazing person and franchisee.

While Fred works with fruit now, his background traces to the very soil his products come from! He earned his undergraduate degree in Physical Geography and Geology, and did graduate work-in soil science. Fred then worked in the educational publishing industry, and the not for profit sector working for industry trade associations and community organizations.

When Fred decided to look for franchise opportunities, he did what most researchers do – started on the internet. Fred discovered the Edible Arrangements concepts, and was immediately drawn to the healthy nature of the product, which can be hard to find in a food franchise. He was further attracted by the uniqueness of the concept in the marketplace and the fact that Edible Arrangements has no direct competitors. Fred and his wife, a Registered Nurse, have two children and a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

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Finding His True Calling -Edible Arrangements

  • Edible Arrangements
  • Edible Franchise

One of the most frequent answers we get when we ask franchisees and prospective franchisees how they first heard about Edible Arrangements is one of the simplest: they received an arrangement as a gift. And that is the case with Gurpaul, who recently signed an agreement to open stores in Elmhurst and Howard Beach in the borough of Queens, in New York City. Gurpaul is no stranger to franchising: he currently owns five cell phone stores, and has been in the cell phone business since 2000. Prior to that, Gurpaul worked as an inventory specialist for major department stores. When he received his arrangement, he loved the concept, and investigated franchise opportunities. His customer service experience in the cell phone business and inventory skills will serve him well at Edible Arrangements. Superior customer service coupled with our beautiful and delicious products come together to give our customers the total “Edible Arrangements Experience” that is the cornerstone of success for an Edible Arrangements location. Gurpaul is well positioned to use his franchise business background to develop a successful Edible Arrangements business enterprise.

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Adding “Pizzazz” to Edible Arrangements

  • Edible Arrangements

Spouses Ted and Katrina along with Ted’ sister Penny, have just signed an agreement to open two stores in Calgary, Alberta in Canada. Ted has extensive franchise experience, having started working in 1998 as a server with the Boston Pizza Company, a full service restaurant/lounge franchise concept in Canada. He is now owner of three Boston Pizza restaurants. A successful multi unit owner, Ted was recently inducted into Boston Pizza’s President’s Club. Ted has extensive experience with customer service and local store marketing. Katrina has been a bridal consultant for The Bridal Center since 2006. Penny as owned numerous restaurants since 1993, including Norm’s Pub, Coyotes and King Edward. She also has worked for Royal Bank and brings banking experience to the trio’s business enterprise. Please join me in welcoming them and wishing them the best success. I’m confident they will be incredible ambassadors for the Edible Arrangements brand

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Georgia on Their Mind

Husband and wife Kevin and Vanessa have just signed an agreement to open their third Edible Arrangements store. They already have stores in Aiken, South Carolina, and Evans, Georgia, and this new store will be located in Augusta, GA. Kevin and Vanessa used to live in Massachusetts where Kevin was a municipal landscaper and Vanessa was a counselor at a Psychiatric hospital. They were first introduced to Edible Arrangements by Mike and Candi, Edible Arrangements franchisees in Methuen, Tewksbury and Haverhill, MA. Mike and Candi, recipients of the Franchisee of the Year Award in 2008, referred Kevin and Vanessa because they have a good sense of the kind of people who can do well with this business. Kevin and Vanessa were attracted to the brand because they loved the growth opportunity provided by Edible Arrangements. The potential that they saw is bearing out for them as they expand their business enterprise with a third store.

Kevin and Vanessa

The key to their success is their local marketing that focuses on community involvement. Kevin is very active in his local chamber of commerce, supporting new businesses when they enter the market. “I go to every ribbon cutting for each new business that opens in my area, and I present an Expressions arrangement to everyone cutting the ribbon.” Kevin has said that “the best way to get your name out there is to get yourself out there!” and he does so with sampling and strategic marketing. For example, he leaves his brochures in the gift shop of the local hospital, and he brings arrangements to the hospital so the crowds of workers and visitors can see them. The unique arrangements attract attention and people stop to talk to him. And Kevin says he never goes anywhere without a pocketful of brochures. He also wears his Edible Arrangements logoed shirts, hats, and jackets so people ask about his business. “You’d be surprised at the level of saturation a simple thing like that provides. People know me and my stores because of my clothing.” Kevin and Vanessa have contributed to the local food bank, and even provided arrangements every day for an episode of the “Extreme Makeover” television show that built a home for a single mom in need.

We are proud to have such dedicated franchise owners in our system and congratulate Kevin and Vanessa on this most recent addition to their growing enterprise.

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