WALLINGFORD, Conn., Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The third quarter was a season of growth for Edible Arrangements^® as the pioneer in hand-sculpted, fresh-fruit arrangements saw a 3 percent increase in same store sales over the same quarter last year, resulting in an 8 percent overall increase in sales for the year-to-date.

In addition to the sales growth, Edible Arrangements^® expanded its franchise network with the opening of seven new traditional Edible Arrangements^® stores, and three new Edible To Go^® locations. The leader in fresh-fruit arrangements also opened its second Berry Direct distribution facility in North Haven, Conn., to meet the needs of its Midwest and East Coast franchisees.

"The credit goes to our franchisees," said Founder and CEO Tariq Farid. "They continue to meet the growing demand for our products and do it with a level enthusiasm and exceptional customer service that makes our customers say, 'wow'."

Also during the third quarter, more than 700 franchisees, partners and vendors gathered in Orlando for the 7th Annual International Convention where Reva Gartzke of Austin, Texas, was named North American Franchisee of the Year, and Nourah Al-Rossais of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was named International Franchisee of the Year.

Edible Arrangements^® also launched "Fresh Fruit Cupcakes," a new product line featuring handcrafted cupcake-shaped pineapple slices dipped in gourmet white and semisweet chocolate topped with sprinkles. The new cupcake arrangement line includes the Confetti Fruit Cupcake™, Berry Confetti Cupcake™, Berry Lovely Cupcake™, Grand Berry Confetti Cupcake™, Grand Berry Lovely Cupcake™ and the Grand Confetti Fruit Cupcake™.

The company wrapped up the quarter with several online milestones, including reaching 500,000 "fans" on the Edible Arrangements^® Facebook page.

"This has been one of the strongest quarters in our history," said Farid. "We look forward to a great fourth quarter to wrap up the year."

About Edible Arrangements
With over 1100 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. 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. 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 five 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 in Inc. Magazine's top 5,000 fastest growing privately-held companies for seven consecutive years, 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." The company also was recently named one of the Top 100 internet retailers by Internet Retailer magazine. More information about Edible Arrangements and Edible Arrangements franchise opportunities is available at 1-888-727-4258 or online at www.eafranchise.com.

SOURCE Edible Arrangements