Melting Pot

<a href="https://www.meltingpotfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-the-melting-pot-is-blazing-a-trail-in-the-white-hot-fondue-segment-2719137" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Melting Pot</a>, the 97-unit fondue franchise known for creating immersive dining experiences, has spent nearly half a century as a favorite chain of families, friends and couples. Since its inception in 1975, the brand has made a name for itself as a premium choice for upscale meals and special occasions. It continues to catch America’s attention by constantly evolving and bringing fresh ideas to the table — in addition to its delicious fondue.&nbsp;Many members of the original team who launched the Melting Pot as a successful franchise are still running the brand today, including CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-johnston-4b6b0a4a/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-the-melting-pot-is-blazing-a-trail-in-the-white-hot-fondue-segment-2719137" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bob Johnston</a>, who was just 14 years old when his two older brothers founded the company. Now, Johnston leverages his extensive experience to successfully steer the company towards the future.&nbsp;1851 Franchise spoke with Johnston to hear more about the brand’s recent success, why franchisees love the concept and the team’s vision for the future.<h4>Big News from Last Year</h4>Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the Melting Pot celebrated&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/melting-pot-experiences-29-sales-growth-comparing-2022-to-2019-outperforming-full-service-restaurant-industry-2718805#featured">a tremendous year of growth</a> in 2021, experiencing a system-wide sales increase for 2021 versus 2019, up 26%. In Q1 of 2022, 23 restaurants are up 38% over 2019. Looking at data over the end of March into early April, sales have been up between 44% to 50% over 2019. Guest traffic is also up 10% through early April in 2022 versus 2019, with the end of March into early April being up 14%–17% over 2019.The brand is also in the process of remodeling over 20 of its locations.&nbsp;“It's very sexy, contemporary with still extremely comfortable and intimate surroundings. And the stores which have gone through this are up in performance by 22%,” Johnston said. “We have all new stores being built with a sleek updated design and are remodeling all the existing stores. They look fantastic, and the guests are really loving going.”The Melting Pot team has also spent the last year rolling out new marketing campaigns to keep guests coming back. “Thursdate,” for example, is part of the company’s vision to convince customers that the fondue restaurant is not simply reserved for special events and days. It features a romantic dinner experience for a couple, reminiscent of a Valentine’s celebration but bringing it to a weeknight when their profits are typically lower.&nbsp;The “Best Fondue Friends Forever” is another marketing initiative encouraging friendship and meeting up with loved ones around some delicious food and fondue. The program has been especially popular as COVID-19 restrictions ease and people can gather in public again.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1658156632_47572157.jpg"></figure>Photo credit: <a href="https://www.opentable.com/the-melting-pot-annapolis?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-the-melting-pot-is-blazing-a-trail-in-the-white-hot-fondue-segment-2719137" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">OpenTable.com</a><h4>Why the “Eatertainment” Industry?</h4>While diners have many restaurant options, few eateries offer an entire entertainment experience. But&nbsp;<a href="https://simplotfoods.com/blog/experiential-dining-proving-to-be-more-than-a-fad?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-the-melting-pot-is-blazing-a-trail-in-the-white-hot-fondue-segment-2719137" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">according to a recent survey</a>, 75% of consumers say that unique dining experiences are worth paying more for. Now, after the pandemic, diners are hungrier for the kind of experience they can’t get anywhere else, and as a result, the ‘eatertainment’ segment is on the rise.&nbsp;Fondue is a classic example of ‘eatertainment,’ and The Melting Pot is the only fondue franchise in the United States with a menu based on sharing and conversing around the middle of the table. “It is the mission of the brand to provide guests with their perfect night out, whatever that looks like — especially today with what's gone on in the world over the last few years,” Johnston said. “Guests choose us over other options because we carefully craft an environment that encourages gathering with people they care about and spending quality time with them. The Melting Pot provides the perfect environment for that. What happens in a Melting Pot is as much about what's going on around that fondue pot as what's in that pot.”And while many choose the fondue experience for a special occasion, Johnston says the brand has been able to market itself beyond being a fancy one-off spot. They have been focusing on marketing the concept’s “eatertainment” value for weekdays when sales are typically lower and are in the process of refreshing the interiors of the restaurants. The initiatives have successfully shown customers why they should continue choosing The Melting Pot.&nbsp;<h4>Why Franchisees Are Getting On Board with Melting Pot</h4>The Melting Pot isn’t only a hit among today's consumers — business-savvy entrepreneurs are also increasingly<img class="image-style-align-right image_resized" style="width:376px;" src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1658156861_San-Diego-Gaslamp-Restaurant-Melting-Pot-020416.jpg"> recognizing&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/5-reasons-to-buy-a-melting-pot-franchise-in-2022-2718451#featured">the benefits</a> of the brand’s franchise opportunity. With consumers hungry for exceptional, in-person dining experiences, Melting Pot offers franchisees a prime opportunity to tap into consumer demand through a beloved product, streamlined operations and a flexible work-life balance.&nbsp;In the case of day-to-day operations, the Melting Pot doesn’t have a typical restaurant kitchen. “Recooks” — food sent back to the kitchen because it was either cooked incorrectly or sent out wrong — can throw a wrench into even the most efficient kitchen’s operation on a busy night, resulting in frustration for guests, servers and managers alike. It can also discourage repeat business. At The Melting Pot, steaks aren’t sent back to the kitchen because they were overcooked — because the guests cook the food at the table.This non-traditional kitchen model eases the burden of staffing — from hiring to retaining and replacing team members — as managers are not limited to competing with other restaurants in a limited pool of experienced cooks. This is a tremendous advantage in an industry still affected by&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/how-the-melting-pots-simplicity-of-operations-helps-franchisees-mitigate-labor-challenges-2718450#featured">labor shortages</a>.The simplicity of The Melting Pot concept also affords franchisees certain&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/how-the-melting-pots-flexible-real-estate-footprint-gives-franchisees-options-in-different-markets-2718628#featured">real estate advantages</a>. Because of its non-traditional restaurant model, there is a lot of flexibility with the physical plan and layout of a Melting Pot location. According to Johnston, the brand has opened locations in sizes from as little as 3,200 sq. ft. to the more standard 4,700 sq ft. This allows the brand to pursue real estate options that other restaurants cannot.“We can consider some locations that other concepts would probably die if they took it,” said Johnston. “Everybody wants an A-plus location, right? But because of the unique nature of The Melting Pot concept and because we’re not a place you go just to stop and eat, we don’t have to be on the corner of Main Street. We can take locations that are less than an A and make them perform like an A-plus.”This flexibility also makes The Melting Pot an attractive target for conversions. Suppose a restaurateur or business owner has a great piece of real estate, but their business is not performing. In that case, The Melting Pot is a great franchise for them to consider as a conversion because of the simplicity of the kitchen and overall layout.&nbsp;<h4>The Investment</h4>The total investment range required to open a Melting<img class="image-style-align-right image_resized" style="width:370px;" src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1658156916_22-ForeverFondue-Family-Viz-Event.jpg"> Pot location is $1.1 million to $1.5 million. In exchange, franchisees can be confident they are joining a system that promotes strong ROI and reliable scalability. According to Johnston, over the last seven months, Melting Pot sales are consistently up north of 35%, with most weeks seeing 40–45% bumps and some as high as 55%. And with a sales lift of 26% since 2019 — with 2,372 days of zero sales due to COVID-related closures — The Melting Pot is enjoying exciting momentum to start 2022.“We are blowing the doors off compared to casual dining and polished casual,” said Johnston. “We are very thankful that our customers support us the way they are. We're grateful.”Because of its elevated dining experience, the brand boasts price-point averages higher than other restaurants in its class, averaging $52 to $55 per person. This, paired with the low food and labor costs per guest, has resulted in significant returns for franchisees.&nbsp;<h4>Why the Leadership Team is Excited About the Future</h4>Looking ahead, Johnston says the Melting Pot shows no signs of slowing down for the rest of 2022 and beyond. The team hopes to hit the 125-unit mark in 2026, and target markets for the brand include cities across Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Ohio and Kentucky.“What gets me excited about the work we do here is that we help our franchisees realize their dream of business ownership,” Johnston said. “I enjoy helping them create a business for themselves and their families. We take the franchisees’ successes very seriously and personally. It’s important to us for them to achieve their personal objectives, their personal ambitions and their financial objectives.”For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.meltingpotfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-the-melting-pot-is-blazing-a-trail-in-the-white-hot-fondue-segment-2719137" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.meltingpotfranchise.com/.</a>&nbsp;

How The Melting Pot is Blazing a Trail in the White-Hot Fondue Segment

1851 Franchise

Bob Johnston, CEO of the nation’s largest fondue brand, shares why the chain continues to attract both franchisees and customers alike after 47 years of operations.

This brand page has been paid for by MELTING POT. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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TAMPA, Fla.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="http://meltingpotfranchise.com">Melting Pot</a>, the iconic 94-unit fondue franchise, closed its 50th year with achievements in both unit-level success and franchise development momentum. In addition to opening four restaurants in New Haven, Connecticut; Syracuse, New York; Rogers, Arkansas; and St. Petersburg, Florida; the team awarded three more development agreements, drove franchisee success with continued&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/evolution-design-2731008">Melting Pot Evolution</a> remodels and supported a growing retail presence with the launch of Melting Pot at Home across over 2,500 grocery locations.“Last year was a milestone year for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/info">Melting Pot</a>,” said CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-r-crawford-784a0810/">John “JC” Crawford</a>. “Our 50th anniversary was one to remember. Melting Pot continued to deliver the atmosphere and unique menu that guests know and love, driving our sales performance and maintaining our status as the go-to fondue concept. We saw a surge in franchise development with multiple signings and openings, setting the stage for another great year of growth and partnership with entrepreneurs committed to their communities and delivering the Perfect Night Out.”As the brand celebrated its Golden Anniversary, the team continued to support systemwide remodeling efforts, updating long-standing locations in line with new, modern brand standards. The Melting Pot Evolution remodel, while embracing a new look and feel, has proven to be a strategic driver of business, as well. The new St. Petersburg location, which launched with the new design, reported a per-person check average of over $70, outpacing the national average of $61. The Rogers location, which opened in November, had the third-highest weekly sales of the entire system in the first week of December.In addition to meaningful change throughout the system, Melting Pot drove community change with its ongoing commitment to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stjude.org/">St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital</a>. After raising $1.17 million in 2024, the system raised a record-breaking $1.23 million with its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.meltingpot.com/blog/melting-pot-launches-22nd-annual-st--jude-thanks-and-giving-campaign-benefiting-st--jude-childrens-research-hospital/">2025 Thanks and Giving® campaign</a>. To date, Melting Pot has raised over $18 million for the organization and stands alongside global giants like Target and Microsoft in its level of contribution.Looking forward to a strong 2026, Melting Pot is targeting expansion in Las Vegas; South Florida; San Jose, California; Providence, Rhode Island; Provo, Utah; Greensboro, North Carolina; Eugene, Oregon; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Houston and The Woodlands, Texas. The brand’s continuing Golden Anniversary Incentive will support franchisees looking to develop in these markets.The first five new-construction franchise agreements signed beginning July 1, 2025, will receive 50% off the initial franchise fee — a savings of $22,500. This special offer is available through March 31, 2026, or until five qualifying agreements are signed, whichever comes first. With two new-construction development agreements already signed, there are just three slots remaining. The incentive applies exclusively to new builds.Melting Pot’s continued success is only bolstered by strides made in the retail space in 2025, with Melting Pot at Home cheese and chocolate fondue now made available in over 2,500 grocers nationwide and cheese fondue available in select Publix locations during the holiday season.“As a legacy brand, Melting Pot is not a concept that needs to open dozens of new restaurants per year to represent success,” Crawford said. “Last year, we focused on intentional growth with high-quality partners, brand growth through Melting Pot Evolution, and increased awareness through our retail channels. These successes, in combination with our four new openings, signal strong momentum and a bright future for Melting Pot in 2026.”About Melting PotFounded in 1975, Melting Pot has offered a unique fondue dining experience for more than 50 years. As the premier fondue restaurant franchise, Melting Pot has 94 restaurants in 32 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. The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. (TMPRI), headquartered in Tampa, Florida, is the franchisor of Melting Pot. For more information, visit www.meltingpot.com. To learn more about franchise opportunities with Melting Pot, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.meltingpotfranchise.com">www.meltingpotfranchise.com</a>.&nbsp;

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As&nbsp;<a href="http://meltingpotfranchise.com">Melting Pot</a>, the iconic fondue franchise, celebrates its landmark 50th anniversary, the system is celebrating major progress in its&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/melting-pot-evolution-the-future-of-the-melting-pot-franchise-2728124#stories">Melting Pot Evolution</a> redesign program. The systemwide initiative, which encompasses both new and existing locations, is a push to modernize the design of the brand, streamline operations and revolutionize the guest experience.&nbsp;While all new&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/info">Melting Pot</a> locations are built with the Melting Pot Evolution design, existing locations have been remodeled in waves, and this effort is expected to be complete by summer 2026. This evolution is more than aesthetic, though that is a major facet. The new design also represents a strategic pivot designed to broaden Melting Pot’s appeal with increased dining options and flexibility for the evolving consumer, and the results are already validating the strategy.New locations in St. Petersburg, Florida, New Haven, Connecticut, and Rogers, Arkansas, are shattering national averages in select key performance metrics, driven by a design that puts the bar front and center and invites guests to dine on their own terms, and remodeled locations are receiving enthusiastic approval from guests and team members alike as they reopen post-renovation.<h2>Proof in the Numbers</h2>The financial impact of the Melting Pot Evolution design is undeniable. The new St. Petersburg location, which opened in April, reports a per-person average of $70.50, which is significantly higher than the national year-to-date average of $61. Similarly, New Haven, which opened in May, boasts a PPA of $64.18. In the first week of December, Rogers, which opened in November, had the third-highest sales week in the system.A key driver of this growth is the reimagined bar experience.&nbsp;In the past, Melting Pot bars were often tucked away or inactive. The Melting Pot Evolution design places them as focal points, leading to a surge in alcohol sales. St. Pete’s alcohol product mix sits at 23.7% (the highest in the system) while New Haven follows closely at 17.1%. Both are well above the national average of 12.1%, proving that the new design successfully captures the high-margin "happy hour" and casual dining crowd.<h2>A New Era in St. Pete</h2>For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/celinda-norton-347a1bb">Celinda Norton</a>, general manager of the St. Pete location, the new design represents a necessary leap forward. Having operated nine Melting Pot locations over her career, she views the move to the vibrant Central Avenue district as a game-changer."We are at the beginning of the next 50 years," Norton said. "Fifty years ago, people wanted to dine for the whole evening. Now, we still have those guests, but we also have generations with busy lives who want to come, eat, have fun and leave."In addition to the bar being more of a focal point in St. Pete than it was in previous locations, a unique garage-style door that opens to the street further integrates the bar and overall restaurant with the bustling city.”<img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1765976491_image.png">"A Melting Pot bar is not the type of place where you’d go for happy hour if it were buried in the back," Norton said. "Here, the bar is front and center, and it’s a huge draw. We have guests who come for a reservation and ask to sit at the bar instead, and we have guests who visit just for a drink and quick chocolate fondue at the bar."<h2>Balancing Tradition and Modernity in New Haven</h2>In New Haven, franchisees&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-reeve-5a62271">Jonathan</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dainasenatore">Daina Reeve</a>, long-time guests who decided to open a Melting Pot after they learned their favorite local unit would be closing, noted that the new look initially shocked some loyalists, but even the most traditional guests have come to love the Melting Pot Evolution look."We underestimated how many people missed Melting Pot," Daina said. "People walk in, and there is an immediate reaction. The modern feel shocks them at first because they are used to the traditional, dark, secluded booths. But after experiencing it, they see it as an evolution. They see Melting Pot making changes to stay with the times."The Reeves emphasized that, while the design is open and airy with quartz finishes and modern lighting, the soul of the brand remains."We shouldn’t lose sight of what makes Melting Pot what it is," Jonathan said. "For example, Lovers' Lane is still there. It’s the only place where you can have an intimate dinner for two and feel secluded. It’s nice to mix the old with the new."While the new design does “mix the old with the new,” Daina pointed out that the modern aesthetic has been carefully curated and still aligns with the warm, welcoming atmosphere guests expect from Melting Pot. The spaces don’t feel “cold” like some modern designs can."I personally think that the new design has amazing textures," she said. "For such a modern space, it feels like you're kind of in your living room. We have a fireplace, candle walls and really well-done focal points that make the restaurant super special."<h2>Building From the Ground Up in Arkansas</h2>For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-r-hickerson-69880923/">Chad Hickerson</a> and Candice Bright, the owners of the newly opened Rogers, Arkansas, location, the Melting Pot Evolution design offered a clean slate. Unlike retrofits, their location was built from the ground up with the new aesthetic in mind."It’s just really a clean restaurant," Candice said. “The focal features, like the bar and the ADA seating, are really beautiful. I’m really proud of the design.”<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.instagram.com/themeltingpotnwa/reel/DQ9WkPIEVyk/"><div class="iframely-embed"><div class="iframely-responsive"><iframe src="//cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?app=1&amp;api_key=fd3b6b3731f34f55ba1fe3&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fthemeltingpotnwa%2Freel%2FDQ9WkPIEVyk%2F" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></div></figure>"I had struggled with feeling like I was walking into a 1970s home in the old designs," Chad said. "The modernization fits a whole lot better. It’s much more open.”The Rogers location features distinct design elements like an aquifer water-vapor fireplace and sunk-in booths. And, thanks to the diversity in design, with anything from booths to high-top tables and bar seating, the restaurant has the perfect seating option for any occasion. Chad describes the different areas like different “neighborhoods” within the space.“You can come six times, sit in six different places and feel like you’ve gone to six different restaurants," he said.<h2>What Melting Pot Evolution Means for the Future of the Brand</h2>With the Melting Pot Evolution project close to wrapping up, the brand is set up well for what comes next. Early results from St. Pete and New Haven show that the move to a more open, bar-forward design is not only bringing in new guests but also giving longtime regulars a fresh reason to come back.As the franchise moves past its 50th year, the modern design serves as a physical signal that Melting Pot is evolving alongside its guests and franchise owners, all to the benefit of the brand and guest experience."We have seen the reaction of those who haven't been to a newly remodeled Melting Pot before or in some time," said Franchise Growth Strategist&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/collin-benyo-1bb36a248">Collin Benyo</a>. “From prospects to vendors to previous guests, the reaction is overwhelmingly positive.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/info">https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/info.</a>&nbsp;

How The Melting Pot is Blazing a Trail in the White-Hot Fondue Segment

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