Edible: Meet the Franchisee of the Year

Anita Bustos, one of the top performers in the Edible franchise network, has woven a story that transcends the typical business narrative. From a young library intern with dreams bigger than her circumstances to the prestigious title of Edible’s Franchisee of the Year, Bustos’s journey speaks to the power of passion and the transformative effect of bringing emotion into business.

“My story started as a very young mom when I was working for the Chicago public library as an intern,” said Bustos. “During that time, I kind of applied for a job at Edible by accident and found myself bouncing around a couple of stores in various roles.”

Bustos spent the next decade learning the ins and outs of the Edible business and worked her way up to becoming a store manager. "About 12 years ago, after gaining experience at various suburban stores, I was invited back to this original North Chicago location when one of the owners departed,” she said. “I took on the role of manager, essentially running the entire operation. When the opportunity arose to purchase the store, I didn't hesitate."

Franchise success story

The Edible franchise, celebrated for transforming the global gifting market with its innovative approach and expansive product range, saw in Bustos a franchisee who embodies the brand's ethos of creating life-long memories for customers.

“I really love the brand so much. We sell emotion, not just fruit,” said Bustos. “Just today I had an order from a mother in Florida whose twin daughters live here and are turning 40. She’s so sad — it’s the first birthday she’s spending without them — so she asked me to make it extra special. I just love what we do. We are offering something much more personal than a gift.”

Over the years, Bustos’s Chicago store has become synonymous with exceeding customer expectations and fostering community connections. During the tumultuous times of COVID-19, for example, her store became a beacon of hope and connection for many families in the area. "Every day was busy, seven days a week. It was magical," Bustos said. "These families couldn't see each other so we were helping them during a very scary time."

Business growth and community

And the results speak for themselves: Her store is one of the top performers when it comes to annual sales. The backbone of her success, Bustos says, comes down to a dedication to her team and the community at large.

“We go the extra mile for everyone who walks through the door,” said Bustos. “We listen to the occasion. The client is always right and we want to make it special. Everyone who works here has been here for over 10 years and we have a very family-run business; my brother does deliveries and my cousin is my manager. We do whatever it takes to get it done.”

This commitment extends beyond the walls of her store as well, with her “Team Promo” heading out into the city every week to drive in-store sales with sample distributions and special offers.

But despite her success, Bustos says it was still a shock when she was recently recognized as Edible’s Franchisee of the Year in 2023.

"It really makes me feel the work doesn’t go unnoticed," said Bustos. “I actually almost didn’t make it to the convention because my brother was in the hospital. Thankfully, my business coach was very adamant that I show up. Now I know why! It was really an honor. My daughter was 16 months when I first started with Edible, and she’s about to be 20 years old. It's been quite the journey."

Edible brand legacy

As Edible continues to innovate and expand, with its diversified product range, franchisees like Bustos are at the forefront, ensuring that the brand's legacy of unique gifting experiences and celebrating special moments endures.

"Our franchisees are the heart of our brand and the success of our stores is a reflection of their hard work," said Somia Farid Silber, president of Edible. "Their dedication to offering top quality products and unmatched customer service showcases the essence of what Edible aims to be."

Overall, Bustos’s journey to a celebrated franchise owner exemplifies the essence of the Edible franchise opportunity — a blend of innovation, community and the sweet taste of success.

“I wake up excited every morning to come to work, and that's because it doesn’t feel like work,” said Bustos. “I had to save every penny to be able to purchase this franchise. I was by no means wealthy, and it was scary to put all the eggs in one basket, but it's something I enjoy doing, so I knew I would never have to work another day in my life. We had over 900 orders this past Valentine’s Day and it didn’t feel like work at all. It was just nice to see the happy faces and feel like we made a real difference.”

The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Edible Franchise ranges from $240,000 to $531,000. This includes the $53,400 - $98,800 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate. For more information on franchising with Edible®, visit: *