Author: Tariq Farid

  • Edible Arrangements growing staff

One of the great joys of watching this company grow is knowing that we are able to provide so many people with rewarding careers. And here at Edible Arrangements International, we’re growing in leaps and bounds, which really gives us the opportunity to do just that. Earlier this month, we were proud to announce that we’re expanding our corporate staff to more than 150 with the addition of 42 new employees in 2012 and 12 more in the first two months of 2013. Overall, Edible Arrangements plans to hire an additional 75 corporate employees this year.

This is the kind of growth that‘s needed to support our rapidly expanding franchise network of more than 1,100 franchise locations in the U.S. and 14 countries worldwide.

Our 2012 corporate expansion included the addition of three new vice presidents as well as an expanded field support staff for Edible Arrangementsand sister companies, Netsolace Inc., EA Connect and Berry Direct.

In fact, to handle this year’s anticipated expansion, we recently purchased a commercial building adjacent to our Wallingford, Connecticut headquarters, adding an additional 23,057 square-feet of available office space!

There was no doubt in my mind that this was the way to go, and I’m proud to call Wallingford, Connecticut the corporate home of Edible Arrangements International. Simply put, we‘re committed to both the town and the state. Not only is it a great place to live and raise a family, but there is a tremendously talented workforce from which we are able to recruit new employees.

It’s been so gratifying witnessing the tremendous growth of this organization, and I look forward to further growth and more exciting developments in the years to come!

 

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  • Veterans Program
  • VetFran Program
Edible Arrangements veteran program

I’m very thankful to the dedicated men and women who serve our country, as is the entire Edible Arrangements International organization. As I discussed a couple of weeks ago, we recognize the employment challenges some veterans may face upon returning home from deployment or after being discharged. That’s part of the reason for instituting Hero’s Welcome.

We have created a two-path program that provides our veterans the opportunity to achieve success, by one of two ways: Owning their own business as an Edible Arrangements franchisee, or working in one of our stores as a contributing team member with a promising career path.

It’s going to take some hard work and strong initiative to make this happen. One thing we certainly will need is a dedicated group of mentors and coaches amongst our current franchisees to help steer the program along and help our candidates achieve success as new Edible Arrangements franchisees or team members.

If you are a veteran and a member of the Edible Arrangements franchise system who feels qualified to provide such mentorship, and you’d like to help us make Hero’s Welcome a reality, please email us at heromentors@edible.com and we will send you additional information!

I’m beyond exciting for this wonderful opportunity to give back to those who have given so much.

Edible Arrangements veteran program

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The 53rd Annual IFA Convention

  • IFA Convention

Last week, it was my privilege to be able to share with you some exciting information regarding Edible Cares’ new Hero’s Welcome program, as well as our contribution to the International Franchise Association’s VetFran program. Just a few days ago, it was my honor to be able to speak about this before my colleagues at the IFA’s 53rd annual convention in Las Vegas, which I attended along with my brother Kamran Farid (COO of EAI) as well as Frank Garrido, our VP of Operations, Training and Operations Development.

The IFA is the world’s largest and oldest organization representing franchising worldwide, and for more than half a century it has been working to protect, enhance and promote franchising through government relations, public relations and education programs. In 2009, they honored me with their Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and I was pleased to be able to return to the convention this year, after having to miss part of last year’s convention, which was scheduled during Valentine’s Day, our busiest time of the year.

I was thrilled to have the chance to speak about something that’s so close to my heart and to the heart of my company. I will have more to share on this exciting opportunity very soon, including images from the event itself, so please stay tuned!

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Helping Veterans Become Business Owners and Enter the Workplace

  • Edible Arrangements
  • IFA
  • International Franchise Association
  • VetFran Program

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. I believe it’s 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.

Yesterday, Edible Arrangements International announced a major contribution to the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) VetFran program and the launch of “Hero’s Welcome,” a nationwide initiative designed to help veterans become business owners and re-enter the workforce.

Edible Arrangements contributes VetFran Program

We’re going to contribute $125,000 to VetFran, the IFA’s program through which franchise companies help military veterans make the transition to civilian life. In addition, Edible Arrangements will launch its own “Hero’s Welcome” program this year. The program, part of our Edible Cares umbrella initiative to give back, will be designed to provide special support to help veterans become franchisees. It will include 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.

Through the IFA, I’m also participating in a new Veterans Business Accelerator program established by the Department of Veterans Affairs, which will provide free courses and resources for all veterans interested in entrepreneurship, including providing financial support to wounded veterans doing the coursework.

Within the Edible Arrangements system, former veterans already own and operate some of the most successful franchise locations. So I know from personal experience that veterans bring an exceptional level of passion and discipline to their business. I also know that they often face employment challenges once their service to their country is complete.

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Farid Foundation Gives Back to a Worthy Cause

  • Farid Foundation Donations
  • Tariq Farid donations

One of the most gratifying things about the success of Edible Arrangements International is the fact that is has given me the ability to give back to the community, and to support worthwhile causes. My brother Kamran and I formed the Farid Foundation eight years ago for just this purpose. Last December, I was honored to be able to support one of those very worthy causes through the Foundation by giving a donation of $35,000 to Family Services of Greater Waterbury.

Since it began serving the Waterbury area 104 years ago, Family Services of Greater Waterbury has helped hundreds of thousands of people receive basic need services. The organization currently offers programs to help abused and neglected children, parents returning to the workforce from welfare programs and counseling for issues such as depression and anxiety.

Additionally, Family Services provides a “Basement Boutique” for its active clients, where they can receive work-appropriate clothing as well as basic toiletries such as deodorant and soap. When deciding to make the donation, I was particularly moved by the work Family Services does to help people prepare to return to the workforce.

When I was a young boy and new to this country, I was helped by another family. They gave me my first winter coat. It was a beautiful designer coat, but I didn’t know that at the time. All I knew then was that I had a fine new coat because someone cared enough to help. And that’s exactly the type of care Family Services offers to the community. I’m glad to support their work.

Tariq Farid presenting donation check to Family Services

More information on how to connect with Family Services of Greater Waterbury is available at www.familyservicesgw.org or by calling 203-756-8317.

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