Former Melting Pot Employee, Now 7-Year Melting Pot Owner Celebrates Second Consecutive Restaurant of the Year Win

Chris Keys, who is now an ownership partner of two Melting Pot restaurants, started his journey with the brand nearly 20 years ago. Since taking over the restaurant in Fort Myers, Florida, which originally opened in 1988, Keys has continued to grow with the brand, providing a great guest experience and serving as a strong leader for other franchise owners in the system.

Recently, Keys accepted the 2024 Restaurant of the Year award for Fort Myers — the second consecutive win for the restaurant. While the franchisor conducts an in-depth, data-driven analysis to select the Restaurant of the Year each year, Keys attributes all of the success to a value prevalent throughout the Melting Pot system: the Perfect Night Out.

Keys took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what he had to say:

1851 Franchise: You recently won Melting Pot’s Restaurant of the Year award for the second year in a row. What do you think contributed to this success?

Chris Keys: When the Melting Pot team is selecting the restaurant of the year, they consider sales growth, guest count growth, completion of training programs, how fast tables are turned over, guest reviews and more.

Honestly, though, I don’t think we’ve done anything extraordinarily different over the past year. We just give great customer service. Melting Pot has what’s called the “Perfect Night Out” that we strive to provide, not only for our guests but our staff as well. We continue to work toward that and aim for the best reviews.

We still have one of the highest review ratings in the area and are ranked number one on TripAdvisor. Really, it’s about consistently providing a great experience for our guests day in and day out.

1851: Can you explain the importance of the Perfect Night Out as it relates to team members? How do you achieve this, and how does it impact the restaurant environment?

Keys: Absolutely. Part of the Perfect Night Out includes genuine hospitality, happy team members, exceptional food and beverage, and inviting surroundings. Happy team members are essential because if our staff isn't happy, they can’t provide great service. We work with their schedules to ensure flexibility, and we offer little perks. 

For example, if someone receives five positive reviews, they might not have side work, like rolling silverware, that night. It sounds small, but for those in the restaurant industry, these little things make a big difference. Knowing at the start of a shift that they don’t have side work that evening helps boost their mood and encourages exceptional service throughout their shift, and the positive impact just compounds.

1851: How has the longevity of the restaurant in the community impacted guests’ experiences and your own approach as an owner?

Keys: The longevity of this location is definitely a huge benefit. Folks come in and share that they first visited for prom dinner in the early '90s, and now they’re bringing their own families or even grandkids. Initially, Melting Pot was more of a couples’ experience, but over time it’s become a place for families. 

Being in this community for so long, we try to help whenever possible. We attend charitable events, donate gift certificates and sometimes host groups for dining, donating a portion of proceeds from the evening to their charity.

1851: What do you think other restaurant owners should understand about the value of providing a great service every time and giving back to the community?

Keys: We’ve been working on different ways to give back ourselves, like inviting charity groups to dine at our restaurant. They bring in their network, which can include thousands of potential guests, and we might donate a dollar from each meal that evening to their cause. This generates a win-win, supporting the charity and bringing people into the restaurant. For someone new, I’d say don’t feel you have to give things away. Allow people to be part of your restaurant so they can see what it’s all about.

1851: What specific growth plans or goals do you have for the future of the restaurant?

Keys: It’s really about continuing to give that Perfect Night Out for both our guests and staff. I’ve been part of Melting Pot for 18 years, and my heart is fully invested in what we do. We’ll keep moving forward with that commitment.

About Melting Pot

Founded in 1975, Melting Pot has offered a unique fondue dining experience for more than 45 years. As the premier fondue restaurant franchise, Melting Pot has 92 restaurants in 31 U.S. states and Canada. Known for offering a variety of fondue cooking styles and unique entrées, Melting Pot’s menu also features cheese fondues, salads, fine wines, spirits and chocolate fondue desserts. Fondue fans can join Melting Pot’s Club Fondue for exclusive promotions, special events and advance holiday reservation privileges. Melting Pot is an affiliate of Front Burner Brands, a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit www.meltingpot.com. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Melting Pot, please visit www.meltingpotfranchise.com.