WALLINGFORD, CT--(Marketwired - Oct 21, 2014) - Edible Arrangements®, the world's largest franchisor of stores offering fresh-cut fruit arrangements and other fruit products, is expanding into two exciting new markets -- military bases and universities. Plus, it is pursuing similar initiatives at other high traffic locations throughout the U.S.
This November, Fort Bragg, NC, home of the U.S. Airborne and Special Operations and one of the largest military complexes in the world, will become home to the first on-base Edible Arrangements store. Earlier this Fall, Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL, became the first university to own an Edible Arrangements store. Both locations represent new paths for making Edible Arrangements fresh fruit products available to guests in highly convenient, accessible ways.
Edible's First Military Base Store
Owing to the popularity of her first Edible Arrangements store in nearby Spring Lake, NC, Laverna Alexander was approached by Army officials to open the franchise's first on-base location at Fort Bragg. Alexander, whose sister is a soldier stationed there, looks forward to a potential new guest base of 100,000 or more when she launches her Fort Bragg store in November.
"We anticipate this will be the first of many openings designed to bring Edible Arrangements products directly to the armed forces community throughout the country and the world," said Tariq Farid, Edible Arrangements Founder and CEO. "We consider it a privilege to be able to provide our fresh, healthy and delicious fruit products to the men and women of our military and their families."
Edible's First University-Owned Store
Oakwood University in Huntsville, AL, took the unprecedented step of purchasing its own Edible Arrangements franchise off-campus as a source of student employment and scholarship funding. The store, opened last month, is the first of its kind in the nation. According to Oakwood University President Dr. Leslie Pollard, the institution looks forward to providing practical working experience for many first time entrepreneurs attending the University.
"Edible Arrangements seeks to instill the entrepreneurial spirit in the next generation," said Craig A. Rubinstein, Vice President of Development. "Providing a path for more students to get hands on work experience while also realizing the dream of higher education fits perfectly with that mission."
In addition to expanding to military installations and seeking more partnerships in academia, Edible Arrangements is expanding into other dynamic, high traffic markets throughout the country.
About Edible Arrangements®
With more than 1,200 franchise locations open or under development worldwide, Edible Arrangements International, LLC is the world's largest franchisor of shops offering creatively designed fresh cut fruit arrangements. Select Edible Arrangements® locations also carry the company's rapidly expanding Edible To Go® line which features all-natural, fresh fruit smoothies, Dipped Fruit™, fresh squeezed lemonade and orange juice, and fresh fruit salads, sundaes and parfaits and treats. Since its founding in 1999 in East Haven, Conn., the company has been recognized as an industry leader, ranking first in its category in Entrepreneur magazine's annual "Franchise 500," Entrepreneur's Top 40 of "Fastest Growing Franchises" and "America's Top Global Franchises" as well as being included for eight consecutive years among the "Inc. 5000" list of the fastest growing privately-held companies. Edible Arrangements® fresh fruit arrangements and other gift items may be ordered by telephone at 1-877-DO-FRUIT, at one of the company's retail stores, or online at EdibleArrangements.com. EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS® and other trademarks noted are registered trademarks of Edible Arrangements, LLC.