5 Things You Didn't Know About Edible Arrangements

Edible Arrangements is one of those companies that was simply a good idea. We bet that countless people, upon first hearing of a company that sells bouquets of cut fruit instead of flowers, said to themselves, "Now why didn't I think of that!" But they didn't think of it; Pakistan native Tariq Farid did, and he launched the company with his brothers in 1999. Here are five things you probably didn't know about the anti-flower shop.

Farid's Parents Ran a Flower Shop
After immigrating to the United States when he was 11, his parents opened a flower shop in East Haven, Connecticut, in which he worked. Farid proved to be a computer whiz, even setting up a point of sale system that he also sold to other flower shops.

There Are Locations All Over the World
There are well over 1,000 locations worldwide, including outposts in countries like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Turkey, Hong Kong, Oman, and India.

170 Franchisees Sued Farid in 2010
Citing unfair practices, a group of franchise owners sued Farid in federal court in 2010. The company moved to have the case thrown out, but a judge ruled that it could proceed, and, after lots of negotiations, the lawsuit was settled out of court in 2013.

Farid's Request to Build a Mosque in Connecticut Was Turned Down
In 2008, Farid proposed establishing a mosque in Wallingford, Connecticut, in honor of his mother, who died in 2005. The idea was shot down by area residents, who strongly opposed it, and it failed to get zoning approval.

Farid Built and Pays for a Hospital in Pakistan
Farid used his substantial earnings to open a hospital named after his mother in Sahiwal, Pakistan, and it provides free healthcare to 33,000 people annually; he covers all the operating costs.