The parent company of Edible Arrangements has identified  Spokane as an ideal market for opening several new brick-and-mortar stores within the next year.

Atlanta-based Edible Brands, which franchises more than 1,000 stores nationwide that offer fresh fruit arrangements, flowers, chocolates, bakery items, snacks and produce boxes, conducted extensive market research before choosing to expand in Spokane.

“We think Spokane is definitely an ideal market. We think it could hold two to three stores, if not more,” said Patricia Perry, Edible’s vice president of franchise development, adding the company examined Spokane’s consumer habits, real estate availability and job market.

The company is actively searching for potential franchisees in Spokane but has not yet signed any agreements, Perry said. 

Spokane-based ARU LLC operated an Edible Arrangements store in downtown Spokane at 41 W. Third Ave., which closed last year, according to Washington State Department of Revenue records.

Edible’s potential expansion in Spokane comes after the company experienced record-setting growth at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, in part, because it was deemed an essential business, Perry said.

“It created a lot of momentum for us with orders for people staying at home,” said Perry, adding the company was able to adapt during the pandemic because of its e-commerce platform and delivery services. “We also were able to pivot and launch new products very quickly. We were able to speak with vendors and provide whole fruit and vegetable boxes that could be delivered to consumers.”

Edible Arrangements filled more than 700,000 orders during Mother’s Day week, representing a 36% increase in year-over-year sales and including some of the highest sales days in the history of the brand. 

It signed 22 new franchise agreements and experienced a 60% increase in year-over-year sales in August, according to a company release. 

“We have seen record-breaking numbers since March and we are constantly innovating with new products … we are really expanding our menu offerings and it’s opening up a lot of opportunities for investors looking to diversify and join the brand,” Perry said.