Edible Site Requirements

All proposed sites for your Edible® business must be reviewed and approved by EA’s Real Estate Team. Please contact Real Estate if you are interested in submitting a proposed site location for evaluation. Specific criteria the franchisee should consider when conducting a new site Site Criteria 

• Traffic: A high volume of traffic is an essential aspect of a successful store. An abundance of complementary retail businesses that cater to affluent patrons with disposable income should be operating nearby and within the center being considered. Additionally, patrons of those stores should be walking in the immediate vicinity of the proposed store location during our normal business hours. 

• Destination: Strong sites will be logistically located in established, high traffic, major retail areas and within the territory granted in your franchise agreement. Large outdoor shopping centers, retail strips or downtown locations are all excellent sites to consider. Our store location within the site should also benefit from the traffic generated by the other complementary co-tenants. Sites with undesirable features such as poor co-tenancy, high vacancy or those in disrepair should not be considered. 

• Co-Tenants:  EA benefits from being located next to other businesses or attractions that have significant draw of customers that fit our target demographic. This will bolster brand recognition and marketing toward potential or repeat customers. Sites anchored by big box stores and other national retailers fitting the criteria are ideal for consideration. 

 Examples of other desirable businesses or attractions with which to align EA: 

• Full-service restaurants and sandwich shops: e.g., Panera Bread, Cheesecake Factory & Subway; 
• Coffee shops: e.g., Starbucks; 
• Fitness centers or gyms: e.g., LA Fitness & Curves; 
• Grocery supermarkets: e.g., Whole Foods & Kroger’s; 
• Department stores or women-oriented specialty shops: e.g., Kohl’s & Williams-Sonoma; 
• Big box stores: e.g., Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Michael’s & Target; 
• Public transportation centers or thoroughfares: e.g., commuter rail & bus terminals; and 
• Other retailers with patrons that are probable customers of EA and ETG. 

Examples of other stores that are NOT good examples of complementary businesses follow: 

1. Fast food restaurants: e.g., McDonalds, KFC & Taco Bell; 
2. Office uses such as insurance or tax-preparers: e.g., State Farm & H&R Block; and Variety or Dollar Stores: e.g. Family Dollar. 

Accessibility & Visibility: The proposed store should be easily accessible and visible from the primary road and parking area servicing it to encourage impulse buying behavior. Ideally, patrons of other complementary businesses and likely Edible customers will also be driving, parking and/or walking in the immediate vicinity of the proposed store location. 

Vehicular traffic: The most attractive sites are typically located at signalized intersections along major retail thoroughfares and have a high traffic volume drawn to the center. Sites with limited or awkward accessibility, including those with high traffic speed passing the center, should be avoided. 

Store size: A total of 1500 -2000 square feet is ideal. Minimum frontage is 21 square feet for EA only. Larger or smaller stores may be acceptable dependent on rental costs and the stores layout configuration. A traditional retail storefront with ample window fenestration is required for EA 

Signage: As effective free marketing, Landlord approval of our intended signage is essential. Signage rights should be considered during the site selection process and further pursued while negotiating the lease. Our standard signage above the storefront is essential. Signage rights on any pylon or monument signs as well as via window clings, banners and greeting card inserts should also be pursued. 

Rent Requirements: Total rental costs should not exceed 10-12% of anticipated gross sales at any time during your initial and renewal option lease terms. 

Lease Requirements: Following site approval, both the Letter of Intent (LOI) and Lease must be evaluated and approved for execution by the EA Real Estate Team. Basic lease provisions to consider prior to conducting your site search follow: 

1. EA Franchisor lease review and approval required; 
2. Current product line permitted without restriction; 
3. Exclusive rights for sale of arrangements and dipped fruit; 
4. 5 or 10-year lease term with 2-3 five-year options; 
5. Space will be delivered a minimum of 3-4 months prior to new store required open date or relocating store lease expiration; 
6. No radius restriction impeding future store development; 
7. Grease trap existing or not required; 
8. Electrical min. requirement 300 Amp.; 
9. Lease assignment rights; 
10. Vanilla shell delivery with tenant improvement allowance; and Signage rights.