Melting Pot

With 93 units nationwide and nearly 50 years of history,&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/info">Melting Pot</a>, the iconic fondue franchise, has become a part of many guests’ lives. The fondue and welcoming atmosphere of&nbsp;<a href="http://meltingpotfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-legacy-brand-has-maintained-a-loyal-customer-base-for-nearly-5-decades-2725629" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Melting Pot</a> restaurants are enough to keep people coming back, but the system has built incredible brand loyalty by leveling up the experience and cultivating a true relationship with guests.“What we’ve seen is we’re in this life cycle of sorts with our guests. They might have used us for the first time as a kid on a family outing. Then as a teen, they may have come with their friends or before prom or homecoming,” explained&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-malmqvist/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-legacy-brand-has-maintained-a-loyal-customer-base-for-nearly-5-decades-2725629" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ana Malmqvist</a>, chief marketing officer. “You always remember your prom or homecoming. Fast forward, and it’s a place to go for a date night. We even have couples get engaged at Melting Pot. They celebrate anniversaries and continuous family celebrations. Then, they have kids, and it starts all over again. It’s a really interesting, beautiful circle of life.”<h3>Melting Pot’s Evolution Strengthens the Guest Relationship</h3>This cycle allows for loyalty to arise organically, and as the brand has evolved, its offerings and loyalty model has grown with it.One recent development that has contributed to guest loyalty is Melting Pot’s remodeling initiative. Because some restaurants have been around since the ‘70s, the system made the decision to update its visual identity and interior design, and as local restaurants remodel, they are also bringing a new experience to their guests. Now, restaurants feature romantic booths, connected bar seating and a designated spot for wine tasting. Guests can get that “perfect night out” for any occasion, even if they aren’t sitting down for a full fondue meal.“Whatever the occasion might be — whether it’s an exceptional occasion, a weekly date night or something more casual — guests are going to have a great experience,” said Malmqvist. “Guests may drop in for cheese and a glass of wine, plan an evening out with the Ultimate 5-Course Experience, or anything in between, and our teams work to make their visit magical every time.”This updated structure lends itself to even more longevity with guests, but the people of Melting Pot remain the top priority and top asset.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-z-chapman-bb826994/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-legacy-brand-has-maintained-a-loyal-customer-base-for-nearly-5-decades-2725629" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mark</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-chapman-4940157/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-legacy-brand-has-maintained-a-loyal-customer-base-for-nearly-5-decades-2725629" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Becky Chapman</a>, multi-unit franchisees with Melting Pot, are a prime example of the power of a person-first business. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/how-the-chapmans-have-succeeded-in-making-their-melting-pot-locations-into-date-night-destinations-2725107#franchisee">recent interview</a> with 1851 Franchise, the Chapmans explained why Melting Pot matters so much to them. After years of consistent date nights and meaningful anniversary dinners, the pair realizes just how valuable a night out is, and they have instilled this importance in their team.“We want to make sure that we do it right — treat them special,” explained Mark. “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.”“The Chapmans are a wonderful example of how our franchisees recognize that the brand has a very special place in our guests’ hearts. And the brand has a special place in their own hearts,” said Malmqvist. “They very much live and breathe the brand every day. They’re a great example of being committed to what the brand stands for and delivering&nbsp;every single night.”<h3>Guests Never Doubt That They Are Truly a Part of the Melting Pot Family</h3>The Melting Pot leadership team recognizes the value in showing up for guests every night and becoming a part of their lives, and it encourages local owners to get invested in their guests’ milestones, too. Family is present for some of our most important moments, and for many people, their local Melting Pot teams are a part of that family.For example, this year, Melting Pot hosted a Leap-posal contest for Leap Day. On February 29th, four couples enjoyed an Ultimate 5-Course Experience and got engaged.<figure class="media"><div data-oembed-url="https://www.instagram.com/themeltingpotrestaurants/p/C3_KY_GyaRn/"><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%2Fthemeltingpotrestaurants%2Fp%2FC3_KY_GyaRn%2F" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div></div></figure>In a celebratory post, Melting Pot told the stories of these four couples, recognizing their love and recent engagements. Among the comments was a decades-old memory from a current guest: “My husband proposed at [Melting Pot] in 1999. Still going strong and love our date nights at the Pot!”&nbsp;<h3>A Proven Loyalty, Strong Connection and Bright Future</h3>For franchisees, the leadership team’s dedication and the strong loyalty that has already been built are a major driver for business. What Malmqvist describes as a deep emotional connection encourages guests to return because they know they can get something at Melting Pot that just isn’t available elsewhere.&nbsp;Malmqvist explained that, even when Melting Pot comes up in a casual conversation, there’s always a memory to share. Whether someone is remembering their most recent visit or very first time at Melting Pot, the recollection is very special and very particular.There is a sense of fulfillment to be found in delivering the level of service found at Melting Pot, and when franchisees and their teams succeed, guests’ affinity for the brand only grows, encouraging them to return and fueling a cycle of growing loyalty.“You can’t just do this for the money. You have to really put your heart and soul into it. Usually, our franchisees have been guests before; they have that deep emotional connection, and they feel that they can deliver on that,” said Malmqvist. “It’s a combination of delicious, unique food, being committed to delivering that perfect night out for their guests, and creating and maintaining this wonderful ambiance that allows all this magic to happen.”Total investments range from $1.3 million–$2 million. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.meltingpotfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-legacy-brand-has-maintained-a-loyal-customer-base-for-nearly-5-decades-2725629" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.meltingpotfranchise.com/</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Melting Pot Franchise Creates Guest Loyalty Through Service

1851 Franchise

Melting Pot, the iconic fondue franchise, has tapped into a special emotional connection that provides unmatched service and keeps guests coming back.

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

How This Legacy Brand Has Maintained a Loyal Customer Base for Nearly 5 Decades

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Melting Pot Evolution Sets the Stage for the Next 50 Years

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Melting Pot Wraps Up 2025 With 4 Restaurants Opened, 3 Additional Franchises Awarded and Continued Expansion Momentum

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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 This Legacy Brand Has Maintained a Loyal Customer Base for Nearly 5 Decades

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