---
title: "Edible’s® First Manage-To-Own Candidate Becomes Store Owner"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/44627e79-5f3d-45ad-9433-83069d516425
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20210402_edibles_first_managetoown_candidate_becomes_store_owner.html
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
published: 2021-04-02T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T22:33:17.458Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1504674900247-0877df9cc836?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Edible’s® First Manage-To-Own Candidate Becomes Store Owner

**TL;DR:** Edible's first Manage-To-Own candidate, Tony Herlong, has become a store owner after completing a 90-day training program and acquiring a Melbourne location. Herlong plans to open two more stores in the future, with a long-term goal of owning 10 Edible stores.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2021-04-02. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20210402_edibles_first_managetoown_candidate_becomes_store_owner.html).*

## Story

MELBOURNE, Fla. - Edible® announced today that its store in Melbourne, Florida has a new owner. Tony Herlong took over operations on March 19 after joining the brand through its Manage-To-Own (MTO) program. As the program’s first candidate, Herlong went through a 90-day training program to get acclimated to Edible® and ready himself for business ownership.

“I’ve always had a passion for the restaurant industry and having worked at almost every level, that experience has uniquely prepared me for my ownership with Edible®,” said Herlong. “When I came across the MTO opportunity, it imminently sparked my interest as I’ve admired the brand for so long. My time in training solidified that as I saw first-hand the understanding the brand has for guest satisfaction which is equally important to me as a longtime restauranteur.

Becoming the owner of the Melbourne store is an honor as the location is already established in the community. Looking ahead, I’m eager to continue expanding with Edible® and put the tools I learned to use.”

Herlong has long been ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship. With 35-plus years of experience in the restaurant industry and a decorated army veteran, his understanding for business and determination to create a memorable guest experience helped establish him for Edible’s® MTO program. After successfully taking over operations at the Melbourne store, Herlong looks ahead to a bright future with Edible® with the potential to become the owner of the Palm Bay and Cape Canaveral locations. Herlong also has a long-term goal to own 10 Edible® stores.

“Our MTO program is an exciting opportunity for longtime managers and operators to become entrepreneurs,” said Patricia Perry, vice president of franchise development.

After 20-plus years in business, Edible continues to offer a variety of unique and inventive assortments of freshly made gifts with real fruit and gourmet chocolate. From bouquets to individual grab-and-go treats to bakery items, each product is made fresh and can be picked up in-store or delivered by Edible’s insulated trucks with contact-less delivery through its seamless e-commerce system. Edible’s ongoing commitment to innovation is the driving force in delivering a memorable, celebratory retail moment for guests.

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- franchise development (topic)
- restaurant industry (topic)
- entrepreneurship (topic)
- Melbourne (location)
- store ownership (topic)
- manage-to-own program (topic)
- Palm Bay (location)
- Cape Canaveral (location)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20210402_edibles_first_managetoown_candidate_becomes_store_owner.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/44627e79-5f3d-45ad-9433-83069d516425).