Young Entrepreneur is ‘Selling Happiness’ with New Edible® Franchise in Michigan

Raised in a middle-class household, Travis Thomas was introduced to entrepreneurship at a young age, watching his father manage a lawn care business and rental properties. Inspired, he started his own neighborhood venture, mowing lawns and raking leaves with his younger brother at the tender age of nine. His early business adventures helped fund his education in finance, leading him to corporate roles at Blue Cross and General Motors, all while managing his own rental properties. Soon, he decided it was time to finally take the leap and follow his entrepreneurial dreams with the purchase of a local Edible® franchise in Woodhaven, Michigan.

Edible, the innovative e-commerce hub uniquely supported by locally owned brick-and-mortar locations across the globe, excited Thomas with its robust profit margins and its model that celebrated both special and everyday occasions. He saw Edible as a means to sell not just products, but happiness, through gift arrangements, dessert boards, floral bouquets, bakeshop products and a wide array of other offerings. Moreover, Thomas is committed to giving back to his community, particularly to the high school and college students working at his franchise. He plans to establish scholarships to support their higher education aspirations.

1851 Franchise spoke with Thomas to learn more about his background, his decision to franchise with Edible and his plans for the future. 

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising?

Thomas: I’ve always been an entrepreneur since I was nine years old. I’ve been a self-starter  — someone that wants to work hard. 

1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?

Thomas: I've always been fascinated by franchising and the idea of being my own boss. I've always done my own research and delved into various businesses, initially thinking that it was too expensive. But, after enough research, I realized that securing financing with a certain down payment was feasible. It seemed like an opportunity to enter the world of business ownership gradually.

You want to buy something that has been around for a while. It's difficult to start on your own and make it last. But a proven franchise with a track record — you can see their growth and how they overcame challenges. That is the type of thing I want to build my financial foundation upon. It has longevity, brand awareness and support. The Edible location I purchased was open for at least 10 years, so it was definitely proven.

1851: What made you pick Edible? What excites you most about the brand?

Thomas: While doing my research, I really liked the profit margins of Edible and decided to contact the team. I looked a little deeper into the numbers and I loved that it was a celebration-based business — there is always something someone wants to buy for someone else, whether it is just an ordinary day or a holiday. I also like that you were selling happiness in a way. Most of the sales that we do are for celebrations. It's also a very easy product to sell — it sells itself. So the work is more about getting out into the community and putting your energy into the franchise. As long as I came with that hustle, I knew it was something that could be very prosperous, for both me and the company at large.

1851: What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth? 

Thomas: The sky’s the limit. We want to increase sales at this location, consistently grow the business and eventually purchase more locations in the area. I have the energy and the will to continue to grow the business. Woodhaven is a great community and there are a lot of growth opportunities. We are nestled right in the middle of everything. 

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?

Thomas: I was lucky — I had a previous owner who schooled me and taught me the ropes. If you are interested in franchising, don’t jump too quickly. For years, I knew what I was looking for. So, when I saw Edible pop up, I knew it was something I was interested in. Edible stood out as a franchise that combined a proven business model with a strong brand name — it was something I could be proud of. I knew what I was doing before I purchased it. Just keep looking for the right fit. Call up brokers, talk to business owners who might be selling, etc. Do your due diligence, and you might find that Edible is the right fit for you, just as it was for me.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Edible Franchise ranges from $240,000 to $531,000. This includes the $53,400 - $98,800 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate. 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.