How the Chapmans Have Succeeded in Making Their Melting Pot Locations into ‘Date Night’ Destinations

As multi-unit owners with Melting Pot, the 93-unit fondue franchise, Mark and Becky Chapman have cracked the code to a successful partnership. After 32 years of marriage and 19 years of business ownership, the two certainly work well together and complement each other’s strengths. However, finding a business model that aligned well with their personal values made for an even better fit.

“I always say that Melting Pot is just as much about the people around the pot as it is about what’s in the pot,” said Bob Johnston, CEO. “We offer great meals, but we also offer a place to relax, connect and celebrate. Having owners like Mark and Becky who embody these values in their own lives is what makes the system so special and keeps that ‘magic’ alive.”

The Chapmans first met when they were both working in corporate IT roles. They moved from Florida to Oklahoma for career opportunities, but the 2008 recession pushed them to consider other opportunities. The pair took their family to a local Melting Pot; they loved the experience and began to look into Melting Pot’s philosophy and culture.

Having always prioritized time together and regular date nights, the Chapmans appreciated the emphasis that Melting Pot placed on connection and gathering, and everything fell into place. Now, after nearly two decades in business with the brand, they are managing three restaurants and see a bright future as both business partners and life partners.

“We complement each other very well. Mark and I always have the same goal. I might go to the right side and he goes to the left, but we both get to the same endpoint,” explained Becky. “It works well because sometimes we need to go to the right and sometimes we need to go to the left. Whoever is better at that type of work jumps in and takes care of it.”

Complementary skill sets and a shared understanding of the demands of business ownership have served the Chapmans well. They’ve even brought their daughter, Lizzie Chapman, into the business.

As the team’s full-time marketing director, Lizzie manages social media, email blasts, online reviews and local advertising partnerships. 

“She is fabulous; she’s won Melting Pot marketing awards three years in a row,” said Mark. “Now, more times than not, when we meet with the mayor or other local leaders, they say, ‘Oh, you’re Lizzie’s parents!’ She’s done what she needed to do, and she’s become a part of the city.”

Reflecting on the incredible success they’ve found with Melting Pot, Mark and Becky say a key driver has been how they approach the business. They’re not afraid to incorporate their personal values into the business model and operations.

“We want to make sure that our employees are taking time off and spending time with their spouse or family,” said Mark.

“I don’t ever want someone’s personal life to suffer because they’re a part of our business,” added Becky. “It’s not worth the finances.”

One of the most important personal priorities the pair has brought into the business model is their date nights, especially those that fall on or around an anniversary. Becky explained that, around their fifth wedding anniversary, they started what they call an anniversary journal. Each year, they go to a three or four-hour anniversary dinner and write down the important milestones that have happened in the past year. Now, they have over 25 years of dreams, hopes, friendships and priorities documented in their journal.

“We have consistently done this. If we can’t do it on our anniversary day, we make sure we have a day that we do this once a year,” said Becky. “Our married children have started that too, and they love it. That’s our gift to anyone who gets married. We give them a journal and tell them about our anniversary journal.”

This practice is reflective of how the Chapmans approach their partnership, and its positive impact has rippled out to impact their children, friends, employees and guests.

“We try to instill in our staff that there’s probably someone out for dinner trying to do the same thing,” said Mark. “They’re trying to have that anniversary dinner, and we want to make sure that we do it right — treat them special. You never know; that might be the one time that month or that year that they get any time together to connect. We want to make sure our staff understands what that dinner means to someone because we know it’s so important to us.”

Total investments range from $1.3 million–$2 million. For more information, visit https://www.meltingpotfranchise.com/.