1851

At the recent&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.edible.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisee-earns-a-double-win-at-the-edible-conference-2727623" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Edible®</a> conference, Pennsylvania-based franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-cotton?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisee-earns-a-double-win-at-the-edible-conference-2727623" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Keith Cotton</a> 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.<h2>A Legacy of Dedication</h2>Cotton’s journey with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/edible">Edible</a> 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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;“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.<h2>A Community Ambassador</h2>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.”<h2>Recognition Among Peers</h2>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.”&nbsp;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,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/edible/the-lifestyle-benefits-of-owning-an-edible-franchise-2727026">the joy of running an Edible franchise</a> 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&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/edible/fruit-was-just-the-beginning-how-edibles-innovative-approach-to-gifting-promises-a-sweet-future-for-consumers-2724638">innovate and expand</a>, 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.&nbsp;For more information on franchising with Edible®, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.edible.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisee-earns-a-double-win-at-the-edible-conference-2727623" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://franchise.edible.com</a>.About Edible®&nbsp;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&nbsp;<a href="http://edible.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp%3Butm_medium=article&amp%3Butm_campaign=celebrating-25-years-of-edible-a-legacy-of-innovation-and-opportunity-2727084&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchisee-earns-a-double-win-at-the-edible-conference-2727623" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">edible.com</a>.

Celebrating Excellence: Keith Cotton’s Achievements at Edible® Conference

1851 Franchise

Keith Cotton, a long-time Edible franchisee in Philadelphia, recently received two prestigious honors: the Community Ambassador Award and the Pineapple Star Award for the Northeast region.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

Franchisee Earns a Double Win at the Edible® Conference

franchisee-earns-a-double-win-at-the-edible-conference

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Layne's Chicken Fingers - VP of Culture Operations - Cuyler Esposito - 1851 Franchise

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Appoints Cuyler Esposito as Vice President of Culture Operations

laynes-franchise-cuyler-esposito-vp-culture-operations

Jollibee

Jollibee Franchise - EOY 2025 - Momentum 2026 - 1851 Franchise

Jollibee Closes Out Landmark Year With Strong Franchise Momentum Across the United States and Canada

jollibee-franchise-expansion-2025-north-america

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier Franchise - Looking Ahead to 2026 - 1851 Franchise

Building a Fitness Business With Staying Power: Why Fitness Premier Is Looking Ahead to 2026

fitness-premier-franchise-2026-growth-strategy

Fresh Coat

Fresh Coat Painters - Seph Duggan - Lakeland Florida - 1851 Franchise

Multigenerational Contractor Seph Duggan Launches Fresh Coat Painters of Lakeland, Florida

fresh-coat-painters-franchise-lakeland-seph-duggan

Fresh Coat Painters - Mary Steele - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

How a Major Life Pivot Led This Military Spouse to Open a Fresh Coat Franchise in Melbourne, Florida

fresh-coat-franchisee-mary-steele-melbourne-florida

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Domino's Franchise - North Pole - Dec 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Domino’s Pizza Brings Delivery Cheer to North Pole, Alaska

dominos-pizza-franchise-north-pole-alaska

California Pizza Kitchen’s Sale Is the Latest in the Era of PE-Backed Turnarounds in Franchising

california-pizza-kitchens-sale-is-the-latest-in-the-era-of-pe-backed-turnarounds-in-franchising

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

CNBC: McDonald’s Will Assess if Franchisees Are Offering Value for Customers Under New Standards

mcdonalds-franchise-standards-value-metric

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

What Makes Mellow Mushroom a Strong Franchise Investment? Insights From the Panos Family’s Metro Atlanta Portfolio

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Eli Cohen, Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

C5 Restaurants Grows its Texas Footprint with 40 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations Planned Statewide

eli-cohen-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

image of stephen westerman and matthew westerman, owners Fort Walton Beach Two men and a junk truck

Twin Brothers Move From Managers to Owners with New TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK Franchise on the Gulf Coast

Franchisee Earns a Double Win at the Edible® Conference

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS