Edible Arrangements® to Expand Corporate Staff in 2013 to Support Growth
Leader in fresh fruit arrangements now employs more than 150 at corporate headquarters; expects to add at least 75 new positions this year
WALLINGFORD, Conn. (March 12, 2013) – While the economy continues to take baby steps toward recovery, it’s full speed ahead when it comes to growth at Edible Arrangements® International. The pioneer and leader in handcrafted fresh fruit arrangements has expanded its 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.
The growth is needed to support its rapidly expanding franchise network of more than 1,100 franchise locations in the U.S. and 14 countries worldwide.
The 2012 corporate expansion included the addition of three new vice presidents as well as an expanded field support staff for Edible Arrangements® and sister companies, Netsolace Inc., EA Connect, LLC and Berry Direct, LLC.
“One of the great joys of watching the company grow is knowing that we are able to provide so many people with rewarding careers,” Edible Arrangements® founder and CEO Tariq Farid said.
To handle this year’s anticipated expansion, Edible Arrangements® recently purchased a commercial building adjacent to its Wallingford, Conn. headquarters, adding an additional 23,057 square-feet of available office space.
“We are committed to Wallingford and to Connecticut,” Farid said. “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.”
To help with the recruitment of top professionals in areas such as marketing, finance, legal, development, operations and administration, Edible Arrangements® is enhancing the recruitment section of its website, http://www.ediblearrangements.com/About/Careers.aspx.
In addition, the company recently announced “Hero’s Welcome,” a campaign designed to hire at least 1,000 military veterans in franchise locations nationwide and provide incentives for veterans to purchase franchises.
This comes after Edible Arrangements® was named one of Connecticut’s Top 5 companies in Inc. Magazine’s first Hire Power Awards in 2012, which recognizes private businesses that led the way in creating American jobs from 2008 – 2011.
“For years it seemed like we were the best kept secret in Connecticut,” said Tom Horn, Vice President of Human Resources, “Now the word is out that this is a great place to work with terrific potential for advancement. As a result, we want to make it easier for top professionals to find out more about the exciting new opportunities at Edible Arrangements®.
For franchising veteran John Wuycheck, who recently joined the company as Vice President of Franchise Development, the opportunity was too good to pass up.
“It was an easy decision,” said Wuycheck. “Edible Arrangements® is one of the premier brands in franchising and retailing with incredible potential for growth.”
About Edible Arrangements
With over 1,100 franchise locations open or under development worldwide, Edible Arrangements International, LLC is the leading purveyor of delicious, high quality, artistically designed, fresh fruit arrangements that are practical and healthy gifts and centerpieces for everyday occasions and events. Brothers Tariq and Kamran Farid developed and launched the company in 1999 in East Haven, CT, after many years in the floral industry. The company has been recognized as an industry leader since its inception, including ranking first in its category in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual “Franchise 500” for the past six years and also placing in Entrepreneur’s top 40 of “Fastest Growing Franchises” and “America’s Top Global Franchises.” Edible Arrangements® was named one of the Top 5 businesses in Connecticut by Inc. magazine’s first Hire Power Awards in 2012 and has also ranked in Inc.’s Top 5,000 fastest growing privately-held companies for seven consecutive years. The company was recently recognized as one of the 'Top 100 Internet Retailers' by Internet Retailer magazine and was also named as one of 1851's 'Top 100 Social Franchises.' Customers may order arrangements 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.
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Scott White
BizCom Associates
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