The Melting Pot’s Longest-Standing Franchisee Duo Receives Service Pot Award

When Robert Frady and Dale Wallace opened their first Melting Pot location in Raleigh, North Carolina 37 years ago, it’s unlikely either one knew what was on the horizon with the business. Now, after 30 years at their Longwood, Florida location, they are being recognized by the brand as the franchisees that best exemplify their core values. It all started back when the pair worked at the Tallahassee, Florida Melting Pot restaurant as they completed their hospitality degrees through the Florida State University School of Business. 

“We were working at The Melting Pot to pay our bills, but we just kind of fell in love with it,” said Frady. “It got into our blood. In our last year of college, the leadership team mentioned that they would be launching franchises, and Dale and I, being young and naive thought, ‘That’s a great idea!’”

In preparation to move to a brand new city and open their first Melting Pot location, the pair took a road trip to Raleigh with now-CEO Bob Johnston and his brothers to more closely evaluate the market and begin making plans for the new restaurant.

“I was 26 years old when we made that move, and I was terrified. We went, with $5,000 in our pocket, to a town that we had driven up to for a weekend. We had no contacts, no family,” said Frady. “We put a business plan together, worked out the restaurant design and probably went to every bank in the area trying to get a business loan as two young guys who didn’t really have any money or any credit.”

Throughout the entire process, the leadership team stayed by the sides of Frady and Wallace, providing the personal support, additional guidance and operational expertise Frady said the pair expected from the franchisor. Even with years of experience in and a deep passion for the brand itself, the young entrepreneurs knew they would need additional outside support, and they trusted implicitly in the Melting Pot leadership team to provide just that.

“37 years later, we’re still here doing it, so I guess we were right!” added Frady.

In 1990, the pair sold the original Raleigh restaurant and moved back to Florida. The opened a location in Longwood, Florida which was relocated to its current site in 2003. More recently, the Longwood restaurant completed the Melting Pot Evolution remodel toward the end of 2021.

Three Decades of Service

This year, as Frady and Wallace celebrate their 30th anniversary with the Longwood location, they also received the Service Pot award at the annual franchisee convention, Melting Pot’s Family Reunion.

“This is one of two major awards, and we’re really proud to receive it because this is the first time we’ve been recognized with either since the system has been this big,” said Frady. “Being these two old guys that have been in the system forever, it’s really a source of pride to be recognized due to verifiable metrics, especially when you’ve been doing it for as long as Dale and I have.”

The Service Pot award analyzes a store “report card,” social media metrics and guest feedback regarding their experiences dining in the restaurant to select and recognize the franchisee that is best exemplifying The Melting Pot’s values and executing in accordance with the playbooks provided by the franchisor.

“It’s especially gratifying for us because the award was based on something that was concrete — especially feedback from the guests,” added Frady. “We were happy to be recognized, but most importantly, this is not just an award for Dale or I. It’s a team award that has been won by every single person that works at the restaurant, and I think the recognition speaks to the great job that our management team does running day-to-day operations.”

“Robert and Dale have been with us for decades, and their experience with and love for the brand shines through in everything they do,” said Johnston. “After analyzing a long list of factors, it was very clear that the Longwood restaurant is a top performer and dearly beloved by guests in the area, and we’re excited to recognize the team for their hard work in creating a memorable experience.”

In addition to decades of experience in the system, Frady says the entire team always focuses on how events impact the guest. Whether it’s a hiccup in operations or disciplinary discussion with staff, the overarching end goal remains creating a great experience that allows guests to enjoy their visit and drives them to return.

“Every single thing we do and every decision we make is centered on how results will affect the guests,” said Frady. “We have built a culture where people understand that this is our ultimate priority, and I think it has paid off in the long run.”

While Frady notes the pair’s excitement about their 2023 Service Pot award, he also explained that the Melting Pot system has been incredibly impactful for the both of them over the decades.

“I feel blessed to have been able to do this my entire adult life and have the option to ride it into retirement someday,” he said. “In spite of some really hard times, I’ve loved every minute of it, and I feel like anybody who is interested in The Melting Pot would have the same experience. Restaurant work can be very hard, but the lifestyle it provides is really important. I was able to spend a lot of time with my kids as they were growing up and rearrange my schedule to be there for what matters. To me, The Melting Pot provides a great life for you.”

For more information, visit https://www.meltingpotfranchise.com/.