WALLINGFORD, Conn., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in hand-sculpted, fresh-fruit arrangements, announced today it continued its remarkable growth 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, such as fruit sundaes, smoothies, parfaits, and natural, fresh-squeezed fruit beverages.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110214/MM48238LOGO )

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 extended product line. Throughout the past year, 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 its Edible Arrangements 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, Massachusetts in August 2001. Since then, Edible Arrangements now has over 1,100 stores, with 184 new stores opening in the past two years alone. As the company aims to build on its success, 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, Denver, Miami, Charlotte, Raleigh, Atlanta, and New Orleans/Baton Rouge. A strong emphasis will also be put on growth in Canada, including Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.

"Through our strong international expansion we can confidently say that fruit has universal appeal and that every country has its own unique holidays in which gift giving is customary," said Tariq. "Our goal is to enter five new countries in 2012, including regions across South America, and continue to establish Edible Arrangements as the global leader in its category."

Edible Arrangements expanded its selection in 2011 to include the new Tropical and Harvest product line of arrangements, and its runaway holiday success, the Merry Gingerbread Men Bouquet™. The company also created several arrangements for customers celebrating holidays unique to Canada and Middle Eastern markets.

Edible Arrangements has grown to over 1,100 locations in 15 countries worldwide. The company has earned countless honors from the franchise industry since its inception, including its ranking as first in its category by Entrepreneur Magazine's Annual "Franchise 500" Ranking for the past five consecutive years and also placing in Entrepreneur's top 40 of "Fastest Growing Franchises" and "America's Top Global Franchises." Edible Arrangements was the winner of the ICSC's 2010 Hot Retailer Award and the company has also ranked for seven consecutive years in Inc. Magazine's top 5,000 fastest growing privately-held companies, ranked ninth on Forbes "2011 Top Franchises to Start for the Money" and was recently named one of Inc's "10 Promising Franchises for 2011."

Individuals seeking to own and operate an individual Edible Arrangements franchise should possess the ability to invest approximately $148,000 to $286,000. Multi-unit store development plans and financing options are also available for qualified applicants. Edible Arrangements offers its franchisees comprehensive corporate and onsite training, unparalleled technology, daily store support and national brand recognition marketing programs.

About Edible Arrangements

Edible Arrangements International, Inc. 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. Edible Arrangements stores are located in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Italy, Turkey, Hong Kong, Jordan, Oman, India and China. Customers may order arrangements by telephone at 1-877-DO-FRUIT, at one of the company's retail stores, or online at ediblearrangements.com.

Media Contact:
Amanda Rich
Fish Consulting
954.893.9150
arich@fish-consulting.com

SOURCE Edible Arrangements