Edible Arrangements continued its expansion in 2011 with the opening of 86 new stores. Ten locations are international stores, which includes the opening of the first Edible Arrangements in China and India.
Additionally, 23 of these stores carry the Edible To Go extended product line, which includes fruit sundaes, smoothies, parfaits, and natural, fresh-squeezed fruit beverages.
For 2012, the company has set forth an aggressive development strategy to sign 185 new franchise agreements and open 125 total new stores, including 18 international units, most of which are slated to include the Edible To Go line.
The brand has increased its grab-and-go selection, including Dipped Fruit Bundles, an increased assortment of dipped fruit boxes including Swizzle Berry Boxes, Chocolate Bark and Pineapple Pops, at all locations.
"We have put a strong emphasis on developing new products to sell in stores and online to meet the evolving needs of our loyal customers and attract new ones," said Tariq Farid, CEO and founder, Edible Arrangements Inc. "In 2012, we will be unveiling exciting bouquets that will build upon the 'Wow' experience that our customers have come to expect, and broaden the Edible To Go product line so that we can further position our brand as the neighborhood destination for delicious snacks."
Last year, Edible Arrangements marked the 10th anniversary of its first franchise location, which opened in Waltham, Mass., in August 2001. Edible Arrangements now has more than 1,100 stores, with 184 of those opening in the past two years.
It is seeking to expand its footprint in the Midwest, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions including New York City, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Milwaukee and Washington, D.C.
Additional cities targeted for expansion include Los Angeles/Orange County, Seattle, Portland, Ore., Denver, Miami, Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C., Atlanta, and New Orleans/Baton Rouge. A strong emphasis will also be put on growth in Canada, including Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.
In total, the company's goal is to enter five new countries in 2012, including regions across South America.
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