Kamran Farid

Kamran Farid is a Pakistani born, American serial entrepreneur, inventor, and philanthropist. He is the co-founder of Edible Arrangements, a U.S. based franchising business that specializes in fresh fruit arrangements, melding the concept of fruit baskets with designs inspired by the floral business. He is also the founder of the Kamran Farid Foundation, K Capital Group, and BerryDirect. He currently serves on the Edible Arrangements® Board of Directors,[1] and the Board at Southern Connecticut State University's School of Business.[2]

Early life

He was born in Sahiwal, Pakistan before his family emigrated to the United States of America. He has five siblings from his parents Ghulam and Salma Farid most notable among them, Tariq Farid, with whom he co-founded Edible Arrangements with.[3] His family moved from Pakistan to the United States. His father had to work three jobs to make ends meet for his wife and six children. Challenges increased when he was diagnosed with Leukemia but he was lucky to receive the best health care and was saved.[4]

Entrepreneurship

After designing the computers, training manuals and production and profitability tracking they decided to franchise the concept and since then it has grown to more than 1200+ stores. Edible Arrangements was ranked among the Top 40 by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2013.[5] This is because it had been one of the fastest growing franchises in the US for five consecutive years. It was also named among the Top 100 Internet Retailers in 2015 by the Internet Retailer Magazine.[6]

Philanthropy

Kamran Farid has set up a foundation "Kamran Farid Foundation" that has made a number of donations.[7] He has also donated to a meal program in Branford.[8]

Controversy And Lawsuits

Islamic School Tax Case

In 2014 he sued the town Branford, Connecticut over property taxes assessed on a vacant Islamic school owned by himself and his brother Tariq claiming that the school was tax exempt. The case was settled for approximately half the town's claims.[9][10][11]

Terrorism Support Controversy

In 2014, Edible Arrangements faced controversial allegations of supporting the Hamas, Al-Qaeda and Muslim brothers through donations. Kamran and his brother Tariq, denied the allegations.[12] In response, the Anti-Defamation League came to their aid by consenting the claims as false.

References

  1. ↑ "Fruit Bouquets in Every Time Zone".
  2. ↑ "Southern Connecticut State University Business Advisory Council".
  3. ↑ "Edible Arrangements grew from a flower shop".
  4. ↑ "Tariq Farid Foundation Renews Support For Tommy Fund For Childhood Cancer".
  5. ↑ Entrepreneur, Magazine (5 May 2017). "2013 Top Franchises from Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 List". Entrepreneur Magazine. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
  6. ↑ "Edible Arrangements® Named to Internet Retailer Top 500 List".
  7. ↑ "Donation funds psychological support for cancer patients".
  8. ↑ "Branford Resident Donates $20,000 Which Pays for 4,000 Meals for Branford Kids".
  9. ↑ Islamic Academy in Branford sues town over decision to tax school site, New Haven Register, April 2014
  10. ↑ Islamic school in Branford requests 5 years of records in tax case, New Haven Register, August 2014
  11. ↑ Town Settles Islamic School Tax Case, Branford Eagle, November 2014
  12. ↑ Phillips, Jack (18 July 2015). "Edible Arrangements Doesn't Fund 'Hamas Terror' in Gaza / Israel, Says ADL: Tariq, Kamran Farid Speak Out". The Epoch Times. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
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