Tariq Farid: Nobody thought it would be a success. The way I did it was that I took a few precautions and started sending them from customers from us to the flower shop, and they called back and said, “That`s great. When can I order one? And then I went to a bank and said, “Look, I have this great idea. I`ve sent it to customers and they want to buy several, and they want to know when to send it. I only need $120,000 to open a store. And I was rejected. The problem began in 2010 when Edible Arrangements faced dissatisfaction from some of its franchisees. In January 2010, more than 270 franchisees sent individual letters to Farid opposing the company`s policies and practices that they considered harmful to their individual franchises. The franchisees formed the Edible Arrangements Independent Franchisee Association (EAIFA)[10] and hired a lawyer to represent them in potential litigation. [11] On September 20, 2010, the group filed a lawsuit in federal court on behalf of 170 franchisees, alleging that several changes the company had made to its franchise agreements were unfair or contrary to contractual obligations to franchisees.

[12] Edible Arrangements International responded to requests for information about the lawsuit by saying that it disagreed with the allegations and would vigorously defend the complaint. The company then filed a motion with the courts to dismiss the case, but that attempt was rejected by a Connecticut County judge on July 19, 2011, and the franchisees were given the power to pursue the case in all claims. [13] In 2013, after months of negotiations, Edible Arrangements and EAIFA settled the lawsuit amicably. [14] In 2012, the company had more than 1,100 stores serving locations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Italy, Turkey, Hong Kong, Oman, India and China. In March 2008, it was reported that Edible Arrangements had annual revenues of $195 million. [9] Feloni: How did you know how to make it work? I know someone had to explain to you what a franchise is, right? Feloni: Have you also integrated a larger part of your family into your company? I have experienced these kinds of discriminatory remarks and things before. But if you measure that by the success you`ve achieved on the other side, it`s insignificant. Tariq Farid, an outstanding example and supporter of American entrepreneurship, is the founder and CEO of Edible Arrangements International, the pioneer and global leader in high-quality, artistically designed fresh fruit arrangements. Tariq is responsible for setting the company`s strategic direction and licensing new franchises in the U.S.

and abroad. Edible Arrangements is headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut, and will celebrate its 17th anniversary in 2016. I always hoped they would do it the way Charlie did. As an A-13 teenager, we jumped through the tires for this guy because he was just an amazing guy who worked harder than anyone else, he loved his customers and he had a successful business. I think that`s what we have. We have highly connected franchisees in our community. Farid: You have to lead. I am a very practical CEO and owner of the company. I haven`t stopped working less than before.

And for me, I`ve always said that opportunities are what you`re looking for, and risk is what you mitigate. So when you look, you`re not defined by the 1% or 2% of the problems. They are defined by the 98% success. At Edible Arrangements, you can choose from great arrangements with a variety of fresh fruit and chocolate-dipped fruit such as strawberries, grapes, honeydew, melon,® apple slices, orange slices and much more. Our delicious arrangements attract duplication as beautiful centerpieces for business events that employees or guests can enjoy as a delicious appetizer or dessert. Choose a party platter filled with decadent chocolate blueberries, pineapple daisies dipped in chocolate, and apple slices dipped in chocolate for a selection of sweet treats you`re sure to love. Or opt for platters with a favorite fresh fruit mix and chocolate-dipped fruit, or tasty baked goods like freshly baked cookies, mini cheesecakes and chocolate-topped graham crackers, sandwich cookies, and Bavarian pretzels. Whatever the occasion, at Edible Arrangements you will find the perfect gifts for the occasion. ® And because it was a customer who came, and I still believe you give the customer what they want, we did it. And that`s the secret to success, that you always look at things from the customer`s point of view. It was my first franchise client. I went to the Yellow Pages and found someone who knew how to make franchises, and they guided me, and we registered our first franchise and started selling franchises about a year later.

It is not easy. There`s a lot of work behind it. We`ve spent millions of dollars over the last 20 years building a brand. Each of these products must be properly executed. And I`ll tell you what The Onion can learn from this: If you have someone quit their job and say I want to open a franchise, and take their savings and open a store on Main Street in a city in the United States, that`s a force to manage. It`s magical. Because they will work very hard to protect it, and they will take care of every customer. And I saw this man in action, where for him customers were everything and often only survival. You are a small business owner and do everything that needs to be done.

Farid: There are always challenges. I think in any business, it`s the people who do it or break it. .