EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS ANNOUNCES UK EXPANSION WITH THE HIRING OF UK FRANCHISE MANAGER

Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in hand-sculpted, fresh fruit arrangements, announced today aggressive growth plans across the United Kingdom with the hiring of Howard Williams as its UK Franchise Manager.

Under Williams' leadership, Edible Arrangements plans to open 50 locations over the next two years. The existing stores will be complemented with at least one corporate store and additional investment is being made to enhance training, technology and UK based support. Currently, Edible Arrangements has operations in Birmingham and Glasgow and recently signed a Master Franchisee agreement for development in Italy.

Edible Arrangements has 919 locations worldwide with the goal to reach 1,000 units by 2010. The company is in the midst of an aggressive growth strategy that includes expanding in existing U.S. markets and countries including Canada, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Italy, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

Tariq Farid, the recent 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, Connecticut after many years in the floral industry. He learned early that corporate support can make the difference between a struggling or thriving franchise. It’s 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, for both single and multiple-unit operators.

Since its inception, Edible Arrangements has earned countless accolades from the franchising 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.

Reporting directly to Tariq Farid, Howard Williams brings more than 10 years of franchising experience to Edible Arrangements. Immediately before arriving at the company, Williams worked with the UK’s leading Franchise Consultancy – the Howarth Group (The Franchise Centre). Prior to the consultancy, he spent nine years on the international franchising team of National & Alamo Car Rental in a variety of senior roles including three years as their quality director for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

"It's a very exciting time to join Edible Arrangements" said Williams. "As the company approaches the 1,000-unit milestone and increases its global expansion, I look forward to applying my experience in the UK to grow its international footprint.”

To drive the UK expansion, Edible Arrangements has initially targeted 15 multiple unit areas in Greater London and Greater Manchester and two more development areas around the existing stores in Birmingham and Glasgow. These areas will appeal to individuals and partnerships looking for their first franchise store, but will equally appeal to experienced franchisees from other systems who want to take on an additional concept or even take on an Area Developer Agreement.

The ideal Edible Arrangements franchisee is highly self-motivated, energetic and entrepreneurial who may have run a business before or have strong management experience. Also important is a commitment to providing the highest level of customer service.

"We are delighted to have Howard join the team. This move confirms our commitment to making a significant investment in the UK and I am excited by the potential there and throughout Europe,” said Farid. “Howard will use his knowledge and experience to develop our business and to make sure all franchisees benefit from our system and processes.”

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 over 900 operating locations 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, by walking in to one of the company’s retail stores, or on-line at www.ediblearrangements.co.uk

Edible Arrangements UK
New Bond House
124 New Bond Street
LONDON
W1S 1DX

Contact for further information:
Howard Williams
UK Franchise Manager

Telephone: 02032 866 321
Mobile: 07770 331 861
Fax: +1 203 774 8470

hwilliams@ediblearrangements.co.uk

This release was published on openPR.