10 Reasons to Buy a Melting Pot Franchise in 2023

With over 45 years of reputation building and 94 open restaurants, The Melting Pot, the fondue franchise that focuses on experiential dining, has made a name for itself across the nation. After huddling to protect franchisees during the height of COVID and coming out of the pandemic on a growth trajectory, the concept is working to expand in Tennessee, Alabama, Texas and more.

Here are 10 reasons why you should consider investing with the brand this year.

A Passionate Team Makes All the Difference

The Melting Pot team functions more like a family. It is clear that the leadership team is genuinely invested in what they do, and franchise owners can feel that.

“One of the things that helped finalize the decision to invest was my initial meeting with Collin [Benyo],” explained Daina Senatore, a new Connecticut franchisee. “I was almost sure by the end of the conversation. It was eye-opening and very inspirational. I can’t say exactly why; maybe it was his love for the brand.”

In addition to the corporate support and enthusiasm franchisees receive, they consistently connect with other owners to discuss challenges, new ideas, best practices and other business development needs. While each owner is committed to the success of their own location, they are also working toward a shared goal — a stronger franchise system.

The Melting Pot Is Synonymous with Fondue

There are a few other fondue concepts on the market, but none have the reputation and reach of The Melting Pot. When guests think “fondue,” they think “Melting Pot.” Because The Melting Pot is a legacy brand, opening a location in your community positions you to become the go-to fondue spot in the community.

Lean Kitchen Requirements and Simple Operations

A simple kitchen model and straightforward operations reduce overhead costs and simplify staffing. Because guests largely cook their own food at the table, the majority of kitchen work is cold prep rather than advanced cooking. This eliminates the need for an experienced chef in-house and lends itself to a shorter ramping-up period for new kitchen hires. 

The Brand Embraces Growth and Evolution

With nearly 50 years of history, The Melting Pot has found an attractive balance of leveraging a well-known brand while adjusting where necessary to keep up with the times. Most recently, the brand embraced its Melting Pot Evolution effort, a push to remodel all restaurants in the system to embrace a more modern look that maximizes space while maintaining the welcoming Melting Pot feel.

This adjustment is already paying off with CEO Bob Johnston noting a 16 percentage point increase in 2022 unit-level sales for remodeled locations compared to those that had not yet undergone remodeling.

Strong Growth Year after Year

Aside from performance pushes associated with remodeling, The Melting Pot is performing well at a baseline. At the start of the pandemic, the leadership team made a conscious decision to back off of development efforts and shift its attention toward helping existing owners survive the shutdowns and economic uncertainties that were on the horizon.

This choice paid off, and the network came out of the pandemic on an upward trajectory. In 2022, for example, 74 restaurants achieved all-time sales records.

Support You Can Count On

From the start of the process, franchisees can count on education, training and support on topics including marketing, operations and potential expansion frameworks. Even after the initial training period, owners have access to one-on-one and group coaching sessions to continue to drive success following the day of the grand opening.

Operations Support from Those with In-Restaurant Experience

The Melting Pot’s operational playbook has been developed and honed over the span of decades. Notably, these guidelines were developed by individuals who have firsthand in-restaurant experience, and franchisees receive guidance through each step to ensure they have the operational framework necessary.

Real Estate Is Demystified

Real estate selection can be a sizable hurdle for new franchisees, especially when they’re trying to navigate the process alone. The Melting Pot not only supports franchisees but has a dedicated in-house team of experts that provide input throughout the process, helping with site selection, weighing in on design and construction, and even providing support should an owner choose to pursue new construction or a renovation project.

Strong Sales Potential

The Melting Pot business model has a strong potential for return on investment. According to the brand’s 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees generated average total sales for the lowest third and highest third of franchised restaurants of between $1,594,286 and $3,720,152. For the 12 month period ending March 31, 2023, the highest-performing location had over $9 million in sales.

Strong Community Connections

Long recognized as the place to gather, celebrate and connect, The Melting Pot is a clear staple in many communities. However, its connection goes further. 

This year, the brand is celebrating its 20th anniversary of partnering with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® to support the fight against childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. From mid-October through the end of the year, Melting Pot guests have an opportunity to donate $10 to the campaign. For each donation, guests receive a Donate & Dine card valid for $20 off a future purchase of at least $50 at The Melting Pot. So far, the brand has donated over $13 million to St. Jude’s.

With strong momentum gained at the start of the year, Benyo said the brand is looking to continue along its growth trajectory. He is looking to finalize up to eight more franchise agreements before the end of the year.

“Our goal at the start of our most recent development campaign was to focus on the Southeast — Texas, Alabama, South Carolina and Florida,” said Benyo. “We see a lot of momentum in those states specifically, but we’re seeing inquiries from prospective franchisees nationwide and welcome those conversations.”

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