Sure it sounds wonderful. An arrangement of cut fruit that resembles a blooming plant in a basket or special container. Even the promotional pictures on the Edible ArrangementsInternational’s website and in their brochures seem perfect and breathtaking.
But take a closer look at this company, the arrangements and what happens behind the scenes at the local stores.
Edible Arrangements, International was founded in 1999, and the corporate office is based in Wallingford, Connecticut. The company boasts over 700 franchised stores throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Puerto Rico. The company has a great concept of making floral-type fruit baskets, and it knows how to market its products. Edible Arrangements has seen respectable growth since its meager two-store beginnings.
The quality of the arrangements is marginal, and they are never consistent. The final outcome of an arrangement is based on the ripeness and seasonality of the fruit, the training of the production staff and designers, the ethical management of the individual stores and the supervision by corporate.
It is absolutely impossible to have perfect fruit for an arrangement. There is various fruit used including pineapple, honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon, strawberries, grapes, apples and oranges. Edible Arrangement stores are located in many different regions, and produce is ordered from just as many different suppliers whether it is local, from across the country or from foreign countries. Adding to the lack of consistency of taste, look and textures is Mother Nature. Fruit is “in season” at different times of the year, and no human can change that fact.
Training of the production and designing staff before a store opens is better than average, but quickly deteriorates once corporate trainers leave the site. Most stores seem to generally follow corporate instructions on food preparation and designing, but then pompous store management teams and egotistical employees will step in and change the approved processes without giving due cause. There are several stores in the southeast region of the United States where this takes place, and employees have offered to me firsthand knowledge of this occurrence. Who knows how many other franchisees practice this policy?
Ethical store management – or should I say unethical store management is becoming more of problem with Edible Arrangements franchises. Managers care more about the quantity of arrangements produced than their quality, or the well being of their employees. Examples of confirmed reports include doing business outside the boundaries of franchise ownership, making employees work 6 or more hours without breaks or lunch breaks. There have even been reports of employees working 12-17+ hours without breaks and allowing only one half-hour lunch break. There are also confirmed reports of hiring discrimination of the senior population and those with disabilities.
Corporate supervision of franchise stores is severely lacking by Edible Arrangements, International. They try to follow-up on training and store inspections, but as soon as a corporate field representative has completed a visit, everything goes back to the way it was. Some of the above questionable tactics used by certain franchises have been reported to corporate and other authorities, but many have not due to employee fears of losing their jobs. Also, corporate doesn’t seem too quick to resolve unfair issues, nor supervise on-going training and final product quality.
Price point can be the deal breaker for many companies, and most likely, educated consumers will become tired of Edible Arrangements, International’s high price point.
The least expensive item on the menu is box of chocolate dipped strawberries is $25, and that’s for only 12 strawberries! The average cost of most arrangements is $48-$75. Keep in mind, however, if you want any of the items delivered it’s an extra $10, $20, $30 and sometimes even a whopping $50!
Remember, you can never be certain what you, a loved one or business professional will receive from Edible Arrangements. Inconsistency runs deep. The picture representations of the arrangements are a far cry from the actual product, and the prices are outrageous! You are better off to not to send anything from Edible Arrangements…that way you and your recipient won’t be disappointed and your relationship will stay intact.
