Franchisee Earns a Double Win at the Edible® Conference

At the recent Edible® conference, Pennsylvania-based franchisee Keith Cotton walked away with two prestigious honors: the Community Ambassador Award and the Pineapple Star Award for the Northeast region. These accolades reflect not just his business acumen, but his deep commitment to community engagement, customer satisfaction and brand excellence.

A Legacy of Dedication

Cotton’s journey with Edible began nearly two decades ago when he stumbled upon the brand by chance. After a successful career in the high-tech industry, he was drawn to the fresh and innovative approach Edible offered. Over the past 17 years, Cotton has built a thriving franchise by focusing on community involvement and fostering strong relationships with his customers.

The Pineapple Star Award is a significant achievement, awarded to franchisees who meet a rigorous set of criteria based on their Quality Assurance Review, in-store mix growth, WOW score and sales success. Recipients must also be active owners engaged in local marketing and B2B activities. 

Cotton’s success in meeting these criteria is a testament to his dedication. His store’s performance is a direct result of his commitment to excellence, both in operations and in customer service. 

“I really love the interfacing with customers the most,” Cotton said. “I go out and do deliveries on my own because I learned very early on that this business, if you stay in the back, you’ll never meet a customer. I learned that knocking on that door was the best way to see the customer’s face. I am a people person so that was very important to me to have that interaction.”

Cotton’s store has seen consistent growth, not just in sales but in customer satisfaction. His WOW score, a key indicator of customer happiness, is nearly perfect, reflecting the positive experiences he and his team deliver every day.

A Community Ambassador

In addition to the Pineapple Star Award, Cotton was also honored with the Community Ambassador Award. This recognition highlights his active involvement in the local community and his efforts to promote the Edible brand through various social avenues.

“This is a business that requires community involvement,” Cotton said. “It’s not a business where you can hire a manager and the business is going to come. You need to be there, interacting with customers and understanding their needs.”

Cotton’s approach to community engagement is multifaceted. He is deeply involved in local events, chamber of commerce activities and other community organizations. His marketing efforts are not just about driving sales but about building relationships and making a positive impact on the community he serves.

"We have very much embraced all the social media platforms, and we’ve also been doing a lot more community involvement, through the chamber of commerce, and local marketing,” he said. “These things make a big impact.”

Recognition Among Peers

Winning these awards was a moment of pride for Cotton. "I felt very surprised at first,” he said. “But it really felt absolutely great to be recognized amongst my peers.” 

Cotton’s success is not just about numbers; it’s about the relationships he has built with his customers and the community. His story is a powerful example of how franchisees can grow their businesses by staying true to the core values of customer service and community involvement.

As Cotton continues to lead his franchise, his focus remains on maintaining the high standards that earned him these awards. His approach to business — hands-on, customer-focused and community-oriented — will undoubtedly continue to drive his success in the years to come.

For Cotton, the joy of running an Edible franchise comes not just from the business itself but from the connections he makes every day. “I really love what we do. We are offering something much more personal than a gift,” he said. This personal touch is what sets him apart and is at the heart of his success.

As Edible continues to innovate and expand, franchisees like Cotton will remain crucial to the brand’s ongoing success. His achievements at the recent conference are a testament to what can be accomplished with dedication, passion and a commitment to excellence.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Edible Franchise ranges from $240,000 to $531,000. 

For more information on franchising with Edible®, visit: https://franchise.edible.com.

About Edible® 

Founded in 1999, Edible® has revolutionized the gifting industry, uniquely leveraging the synergistic power of an innovative e-commerce hub and locally owned brick-and-mortar locations across the globe. Edible's platform seamlessly blends the convenience of online shopping with a vast retail footprint that services over 80% of U.S. households within an hour. Expanding beyond its iconic fruit arrangements, Edible has a range of offerings, including delectable dessert boards, cookies, brownies, cakes, farm-fresh flowers and more – perfect for every celebratory occasion and any treat-yourself moment. For more information, visit edible.com.