Latest news with #EdibleArrangements
CNET
26-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Grab a $200 Restaurant.com Gift Card for Just $35 Right Now With This StackSocial Offer
Trying out different restaurants and cuisines can be fun, but it's not always easy on the wallet. Well, thanks to a massive deal on StackSocial, you can currently get your hands on a $200 gift card for just $35 -- that's a whopping 82% discount. This is a great opportunity to treat yourself, and it can even make a thoughtful gift for a foodie in your life; all without blowing your budget. Just be sure to get your orders in fast, as deals this big rarely last that long. Buying an e-gift card from is convenient because your credits will never expire, and they can be applied anywhere on the website, whether you're dining out or ordering takeout or delivery to enjoy at home. Several e-gift card options are available on StackSocial right now: After you select this deal, head to to redeem your code, then search for participating restaurants near you to see what's available. With more than 500,000 deals available daily, you'll likely find something to satisfy your cravings at a fraction of the cost. also partners with Edible Arrangements in case you're in the market for some unique gift ideas for birthdays, anniversaries and other events you may have coming up. Just be sure to redeem the voucher within 30 days of your purchase. (Again, the credits you get with the voucher won't expire.) Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Looking to save more on food? We've researched the best meal delivery deals, pitting the likes of Omaha Steaks against HelloFresh against CookUnity and many more. Why this deal matters It's almost impossible to turn away savings this large. With prices rising every day on tons of daily expenses, this is a great way to save big. For less than $40, you can score $200 worth of food. And since it's a gift card you don't have to spend it all at once. You can split the $200 between several different meals. If $200 is too much for you, you can opt for one of the smaller amounts. But act fast, this deal can expire at any time.
Entrepreneur
02-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
How I Built a Multi-Unit Franchise Operation Without Leaving My Day Job
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. I've spent decades as a business and management speaker, presenting to leaders about performance, leadership and building strong teams. But early in my career, I started to feel a little uneasy. I was offering advice to audiences filled with managers and experienced business owners, many of whom had far more hands-on experience than I did. I didn't want to be perceived as another speaker who talks theory but lacks real-world credibility. I wanted my insights to be grounded in experience, not just inspiration. Then one day, flipping through an airline magazine, I saw an ad for Edible Arrangements. Something clicked. Franchising intrigued me because it's a model that combines consistency and variability. Everyone follows the same system in similar markets, but performance varies. That meant there had to be a variable. If I could identify it and make it work for me, I wouldn't just build a business — I'd gain insights I could bring to my clients. My goal was never to leave my speaking career. It still is my primary passion. But I wanted to supplement it with a business that would sharpen my message and grow my income. That's how I ended up opening an Edible Arrangements franchise in 2006. Let me be clear: there was nothing "part-time" about this venture. Opening a franchise meant taking out a loan, signing a 10-year lease, investing in a buildout, managing employees, and serving customers. It required full commitment—even if I couldn't be there every day. Related: Is Franchising Right For You? Ask Yourself These 9 Questions to Find Out. We faced our share of challenges, especially early on. But eventually, we built one of the highest-volume locations in California. Later, I acquired a struggling second location and made it profitable within a year. We won awards for best customer service and manager of the year out of more than 1,000 stores worldwide — all while I was still traveling for speaking engagements. So, how did I do it? Here are six key strategies that made it possible: 1. Choose the right franchise model Not every franchise is suited for absentee ownership, no matter what the sales team says. I chose a brand that allowed for it, but quickly learned that success still requires deep engagement. You don't have to be physically present all the time, but you do have to be mentally present. I looked for a business with clear systems, brand standards, and strong corporate support. I also spoke with other franchisees to ensure my dual-career setup was realistic. I wasn't just an investor—I was still a leader, just one leading from a distance. 2. Build systems that work without you If I weren't going to be in the store every day, I needed systems to maintain visibility and accountability. Each night, the closing employee sent me a detailed report on sales, issues and feedback. I installed security cameras to monitor the store remotely and verify open and closing times. I could also log in to our system from anywhere to review dashboards and performance data. Cross-training was another key strategy. Every team member could handle multiple tasks, giving us flexibility and protecting against staffing gaps. 3. Hire (and keep) the right people Finding the right manager changed everything. My first two hires were solid but didn't stick. The third, Jennifer, joined nine months in and stayed for the rest of my ownership. She even worked with the new owner for a year after I sold the stores. Jennifer and I were in daily contact, even when I was on the road. When I was home, I'd visit at least once a week to stay connected with the team. I didn't work shifts, but I maintained presence. I wasn't micromanaging — I was culture managing. Related: Connected for Success: 4 Crucial Values of an Interconnected Organizational Culture 4. Lead the culture — even remotely Culture doesn't just happen — it must be shaped. We talked often about who we were as a team and what kind of environment we wanted. We trained slowly, coached consistently and gave employees the chance to lead. Their input helped us innovate, meet goals and stay aligned. When team members proved themselves, we gave them more autonomy. That investment paid off in loyalty and performance. The stores didn't just feel like mine — they felt like ours. 5. Let go of control (strategically) No one ran the business exactly like I would have. No one sold as much or cared as deeply. But they didn't have to. I learned that if the team could operate at 80% of my personal standard, that was enough for success, and it gave me space to keep speaking and open a second location. Letting go gave others room to step up. It made Jennifer's job easier. And it allowed me to focus on growing the business, not just running it. 6. Manage by the numbers When you're not on-site, metrics become your eyes and ears. I watched weekly sales, average ticket size, expenses and customer reviews religiously. I studied every P&L. I also tracked individual employee performance so Jennifer could coach in real time when needed. She managed the floor. I managed the numbers. That structure kept everything moving, even when I was out of town. One of the proudest moments of my franchise journey was winning the best customer service award. It wasn't just about sales—it was about the culture we'd built. That award confirmed what I'd come to believe: franchise success isn't about working harder. It's about working smarter, creating systems and growing people. The experience didn't just strengthen my speaking content — it transformed it. I had real stories. Real wins. Real setbacks. It all added authenticity to my message. You don't need to give up your day job to build a successful business. But you do need to take that business seriously. Put systems in place. Lead your people. Watch your numbers. And above all, trust the team you've built. That's how you grow something great — even when you're not there to see it.
CNET
12-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Get Your Dad a $200 Restaurant.com Gift Card for Just $35 Right Now
We are just a few days away from Father's Day now, and that means you should probably get onto buying your old man something. Sometimes your old man is your own Dad, and sometimes it's your partner who is tired and makes noises when he stands up. Either way though, food is a great gift. Well, thanks to a great deal on StackSocial, you can currently get your hands on a $200 gift card for just $35, which is 82% off. This makes for an incredible gift, and it'll be with you straight away thanks to the code you'll get. That means you've definitely got Father's Day covered. Buying an e-gift card from is convenient because your credits will never expire, and they can be applied anywhere on the website, whether you're dining out or ordering takeout or delivery to enjoy at home. Several e-gift card options are available on StackSocial right now: After you select this deal, head to to redeem your code, then search for participating restaurants near you to see what's available. With more than 500,000 deals available daily, you'll likely find something to satisfy your cravings at a fraction of the cost. also partners with Edible Arrangements in case you're in the market for some unique gift ideas for birthdays, anniversaries and other events you may have coming up. Just be sure to redeem the voucher within 30 days of your purchase. (Again, the credits you get with the voucher won't expire.) Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Looking to save more on food? We've researched the best meal delivery deals, pitting the likes of Omaha Steaks against HelloFresh against CookUnity and many more. Why this deal matters It's almost impossible to turn away savings this large. With prices rising every day on tons of daily expenses, this is a great way to save big. For less than $40, you can score $200 worth of food. And since it's a gift card you don't have to spend it all at once. You can split the $200 between several different meals. If $200 is too much for you, you can opt for one of the smaller amounts. But act fast, this deal can expire at any time.
The Age
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Meghann Fahy always had a wild side. The White Lotus unleashed it
People underestimate melon, says actor Meghann Fahy. 'I don't think they give it a chance.' It's a drizzly morning in April, two weeks before her 35th birthday, and Fahy is speaking in an Edible Arrangements outlet in Manhattan. In the first episode of Sirens, a Netflix limited series, Fahy's character receives an arrangement, the Delicious Party, which weighs as much as a toddler. 'I dragged that arrangement around for weeks,' Fahy says. Now she has come to make her own, a gesture that feels a little like homage, a little like revenge. Fahy knows what it's like to be underestimated. She performed on Broadway as a teenager in 2009 and then barely worked until 2016, when she landed a role on The Bold Type, the rare series that makes a career in journalism look fun. She didn't properly break out until 2022, in an Emmy-nominated turn in the second season of HBO's The White Lotus. This year, she has her first proper leads, as an imperiled single mother in the date-night thriller, Drop, and as a class-struggle chaos agent in Sirens. Created by Molly Smith Metzler (Maid), the series premieres on May 22. In performance, Fahy typically offers bright emotional colours on the surface and darker ones below. Her mellow prettiness is complicated by a few hard edges, and she tends to leaven the sweetness of her roles with a streak of something wild, almost anarchic. 'She's likeable and very winning and sunny, but she also has this mischievousness,' says White Lotus creator Mike White. 'She has a bit of a naughty quality in this nice container.' Even now, with two lead roles completed and more to come — starring opposite Rose Byrne in an upcoming Peacock series, The Good Daughter, and leading an upmarket film thriller, Banquet — Fahy doesn't really feel she has arrived. She spent too long being overlooked for that. She claims not to mind it. 'I like the underdog thing,' she says. As a child in western Massachusetts, Fahy sang. She was paralysingly shy, and the hours leading up to a performance were excruciating. But on stage, she could give herself over to the song, a feeling she describes as addictive. In high school, she told her mother that she wanted to pursue acting but she might need some help being brave about it. When her mother learned about an open call for Broadway singers, she took her daughter to New York. Although she panicked the night before, Fahy made it to the audition. She was cast as the understudy in the Broadway musical, Next to Normal, and spent her late teens backstage, hoping and not hoping that her friend and roommate, actor Jennifer Damiano, would have to call in sick. Fahy eventually replaced Damiano as Natalie, the troubled daughter of a bipolar mother. Then the show closed, and Fahy's community evaporated. She scrambled. She hostessed; she nannied; she auditioned, fruitlessly. 'I went through big phases of just being really, really low,' Fahy says. But she never considered abandoning acting. 'Even when I was depressed and broke, I still knew I wanted to be here, and I wanted to keep going.' In those years, she developed what she describes as a 'go with the flow' attitude, cultivated partly out of inclination and mostly out of necessity, so she could find peace when she wasn't working. She was helped by what she described as 'a deep, deep, deep knowing' that her career would eventually resolve. And it did. In 2016, she was cast in the pilot for The Bold Type, an ensemble dramedy about three friends climbing the masthead of a Cosmopolitan -adjacent magazine. Loading If the show's viewers were passionate, they were also relatively few, and Fahy could live her life more or less anonymously. That changed with The White Lotus. In season two, Fahy played Daphne, the dippy-like-a-fox wife to Theo James' Cameron. But she somehow brought heart and savvy to the part of an oblivious homemaker who can't remember if she voted. Her Daphne was a realist, a hedonist and, like Fahy, a great hang. White says that her work in front of the camera felt effortless, even mysterious. 'She has the quality that every actor wants: You really like her, but she's elusive,' he explains. 'You want more.' Fahy describes her months on The White Lotus as 'nothing short of spectacular'. She loved the hotel, she loved the surrounding towns, and very quickly, she loved her co-star, English actor Leo Woodall, who plays an increasingly sweaty grifter. 'Can you imagine going and having the best experience in the world professionally and also falling in love?' she says. They didn't share any scenes, and Fahy hadn't seen his previous work. Once the show aired, she finally saw him act. 'I was like, 'Oh, my boyfriend's really good',' she says. They now share a home in Brooklyn. Her Sirens character, Devon, is all vulnerability, even as she cracks wise and wears enough eyeliner for an entire emo band. When her father receives a diagnosis of early onset dementia and her sister (Milly Alcock) sends a compensatory fruit bouquet, Devon hauls said bouquet to a Nantucket-like island, where the sister is a live-in assistant for a steely philanthropist (Julianne Moore), to confront her. Devon is a fish out of rarefied water. Fahy responded to that, partly because she has rarely felt like the perfect fit for any part — not quite the sexpot, not exactly the airhead, not precisely the girl next door. (She wasn't even the first choice for Devon; other actors declined the role.) She admired Devon's bravery, her tenacity, her willingness to put her few self-destructive behaviours on pause to better advocate for her sister. You can see that in the first episode, when Devon, a black hole in a sea of pastels, clutching the ottoman-size arrangement of unrefrigerated fruit, debarks from the ferry. Her face conveys anger, fear, sorrow, resilience and curiosity. 'It's hard to imagine that she was ever not the star that she is,' says Nicole Kassell, who directed the first two episodes of Sirens. It seems unlikely that anyone will underestimate Fahy much longer.
Sydney Morning Herald
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Meghann Fahy always had a wild side. The White Lotus unleashed it
People underestimate melon, says actor Meghann Fahy. 'I don't think they give it a chance.' It's a drizzly morning in April, two weeks before her 35th birthday, and Fahy is speaking in an Edible Arrangements outlet in Manhattan. In the first episode of Sirens, a Netflix limited series, Fahy's character receives an arrangement, the Delicious Party, which weighs as much as a toddler. 'I dragged that arrangement around for weeks,' Fahy says. Now she has come to make her own, a gesture that feels a little like homage, a little like revenge. Fahy knows what it's like to be underestimated. She performed on Broadway as a teenager in 2009 and then barely worked until 2016, when she landed a role on The Bold Type, the rare series that makes a career in journalism look fun. She didn't properly break out until 2022, in an Emmy-nominated turn in the second season of HBO's The White Lotus. This year, she has her first proper leads, as an imperiled single mother in the date-night thriller, Drop, and as a class-struggle chaos agent in Sirens. Created by Molly Smith Metzler (Maid), the series premieres on May 22. In performance, Fahy typically offers bright emotional colours on the surface and darker ones below. Her mellow prettiness is complicated by a few hard edges, and she tends to leaven the sweetness of her roles with a streak of something wild, almost anarchic. 'She's likeable and very winning and sunny, but she also has this mischievousness,' says White Lotus creator Mike White. 'She has a bit of a naughty quality in this nice container.' Even now, with two lead roles completed and more to come — starring opposite Rose Byrne in an upcoming Peacock series, The Good Daughter, and leading an upmarket film thriller, Banquet — Fahy doesn't really feel she has arrived. She spent too long being overlooked for that. She claims not to mind it. 'I like the underdog thing,' she says. As a child in western Massachusetts, Fahy sang. She was paralysingly shy, and the hours leading up to a performance were excruciating. But on stage, she could give herself over to the song, a feeling she describes as addictive. In high school, she told her mother that she wanted to pursue acting but she might need some help being brave about it. When her mother learned about an open call for Broadway singers, she took her daughter to New York. Although she panicked the night before, Fahy made it to the audition. She was cast as the understudy in the Broadway musical, Next to Normal, and spent her late teens backstage, hoping and not hoping that her friend and roommate, actor Jennifer Damiano, would have to call in sick. Fahy eventually replaced Damiano as Natalie, the troubled daughter of a bipolar mother. Then the show closed, and Fahy's community evaporated. She scrambled. She hostessed; she nannied; she auditioned, fruitlessly. 'I went through big phases of just being really, really low,' Fahy says. But she never considered abandoning acting. 'Even when I was depressed and broke, I still knew I wanted to be here, and I wanted to keep going.' In those years, she developed what she describes as a 'go with the flow' attitude, cultivated partly out of inclination and mostly out of necessity, so she could find peace when she wasn't working. She was helped by what she described as 'a deep, deep, deep knowing' that her career would eventually resolve. And it did. In 2016, she was cast in the pilot for The Bold Type, an ensemble dramedy about three friends climbing the masthead of a Cosmopolitan -adjacent magazine. Loading If the show's viewers were passionate, they were also relatively few, and Fahy could live her life more or less anonymously. That changed with The White Lotus. In season two, Fahy played Daphne, the dippy-like-a-fox wife to Theo James' Cameron. But she somehow brought heart and savvy to the part of an oblivious homemaker who can't remember if she voted. Her Daphne was a realist, a hedonist and, like Fahy, a great hang. White says that her work in front of the camera felt effortless, even mysterious. 'She has the quality that every actor wants: You really like her, but she's elusive,' he explains. 'You want more.' Fahy describes her months on The White Lotus as 'nothing short of spectacular'. She loved the hotel, she loved the surrounding towns, and very quickly, she loved her co-star, English actor Leo Woodall, who plays an increasingly sweaty grifter. 'Can you imagine going and having the best experience in the world professionally and also falling in love?' she says. They didn't share any scenes, and Fahy hadn't seen his previous work. Once the show aired, she finally saw him act. 'I was like, 'Oh, my boyfriend's really good',' she says. They now share a home in Brooklyn. Her Sirens character, Devon, is all vulnerability, even as she cracks wise and wears enough eyeliner for an entire emo band. When her father receives a diagnosis of early onset dementia and her sister (Milly Alcock) sends a compensatory fruit bouquet, Devon hauls said bouquet to a Nantucket-like island, where the sister is a live-in assistant for a steely philanthropist (Julianne Moore), to confront her. Devon is a fish out of rarefied water. Fahy responded to that, partly because she has rarely felt like the perfect fit for any part — not quite the sexpot, not exactly the airhead, not precisely the girl next door. (She wasn't even the first choice for Devon; other actors declined the role.) She admired Devon's bravery, her tenacity, her willingness to put her few self-destructive behaviours on pause to better advocate for her sister. You can see that in the first episode, when Devon, a black hole in a sea of pastels, clutching the ottoman-size arrangement of unrefrigerated fruit, debarks from the ferry. Her face conveys anger, fear, sorrow, resilience and curiosity. 'It's hard to imagine that she was ever not the star that she is,' says Nicole Kassell, who directed the first two episodes of Sirens. It seems unlikely that anyone will underestimate Fahy much longer.
