Award Recognizes Entrepreneurial Excellence in Retail & Consumer Products Category
June 29, 2009 // Franchising.com // WALLINGFORD, CT - Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in hand-sculpted, fresh fruit arrangements, today announced that its CEO and Founder Tariq Farid received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2009 Award in the Retail and Consumer Products category in Metro New York. According to Ernst & Young LLP, the award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses. Farid was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a gala event at the Marriot Marquis, Times Square, NY on Thursday, June 25th, 2009.
"It's an incredible honor to be named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young," said Farid. "Such a distinction would not have been possible without the unyielding dedication of our franchisees and corporate staff. Without them, I would not be receiving this award."
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards celebrate their 23rd anniversary this year. The program honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptionality in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
"We are proud to recognize the achievements of Tariq Farid," said Jodi Burns, Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur of the Year Program Director for Metro New York. "Winners of the Entrepreneur of the Year award build leading businesses and contribute significantly to the strength of our region's economy. Their success helps our area grow stronger."
As a Metro New York award winner, Farid is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young LLP Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 national program.
Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 14, 2009. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation's most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur of the Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors.
In Metro New York, local sponsors include Platinum Sponsors HSBC, Scherzer International and Vintage Filings, Gold Sponsor Curran & Connors and Silver Sponsors Solomon Edwards, WilmerHale and WithumSmith+Brown.
About Edible Arrangements:
Edible Arrangements International, Inc., is the leading purveyor of delicious, high quality, artistically designed, fresh fruit arrangements that are a practical and healthy gift. Founded in 1999 in East Haven, CT. by Tariq Farid, Edible Arrangements earned the 27th spot on Entrepreneur Magazine's "2008 Hot 100 List of Fastest-Growing Businesses in America." Farid was also recognized as the International Franchise Association's Entrepreneur of the Year for 2009. With nearly 900 operating locations worldwide, Edible Arrangements is rapidly expanding across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, Italy and throughout the United Arab Emirates.
About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program
Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® award celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.
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