Melting Pot Experiences 29% Sales Growth Comparing 2022 to 2019, Outperforming Full-Service Restaurant Industry

Melting Pot — the premier fondue franchise of more than 45 years with nearly 100 restaurants in 31 U.S. states and Canada — celebrated a tremendous year of growth in 2021 and into 2022, experiencing a system wide sales increase for 2021 versus 2019 being 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.

Over the past year and a half, as the world continued to adapt to an ongoing pandemic, consumers were hungry for exceptional, in-person dining experiences, and Melting Pot offered franchisees a prime opportunity to tap into this demand through a beloved product, streamlined operations and a flexible work-life balance. The demand for casual upscale dining grew, and America’s favorite fondue brand outperformed the full-service restaurant industry. In fact, the demand was up 5% in quarter two and 9% in quarter three and over 30% in the last quarter of the year. Now, fresh into the new year, the franchise is gearing up to hit the 125-unit mark in 2026.

“So many of our competitors have seen negative sales since pre-COVID,” said Melting Pot’s CEO Bob Johnston. “Our franchisees are seeing over a 29% increase in sales looking at this year over 2019. The progress is incredible, and we see no signs of slowing down in 2022.”

In 2021, Melting Pot’s corporate team skillfully navigated the pandemic, their purchasing teams working to hedge against a sluggish supply chain and ongoing product shortages. Additionally, executives worked with franchisees and vendors on an upgraded menu, which yielded improved unit economics for owners. The brand also took steps to leave a more eco-friendly footprint, as construction teams in the last year focused on smaller build-outs and reducing development costs. 

Additionally, The Melting Pot has benefitted from being the go-to destination for fun, on-premise dining as Americans now more than ever have an increased desire to celebrate occasions outside of the house, from graduations to birthdays, and girls night outs to anniversaries.

Melting Pot has tapped into this demand, offering national promotions at franchise locations that encourage groups to imbibe in dippable, shareable bites. In 2021, the brand promoted “Thursdate: Your New Date Night.” Additionally, the fondue franchise added “BFFF: Best Fondue Friends Forever” to the calendar every Wednesday, to help drive weekday traffic.

“We have been so busy that we haven’t even been able to meet the demand for consumers in our restaurants,” Johnston said. “According to OpenTable, we actually have 25% more guests interested in dining at our locations, so there is even untapped potential out there. Now, we are looking to partner with even more franchisees to bring our fan-favorite experience to new communities across the United States.”

Target markets for the brand include cities across Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas, Ohio and Kentucky.

Total investments range from $1.1 million - $1.5 million. For more information, visit https://www.meltingpotfranchise.com/. 

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 96 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. 

About Front Burner Brands

Headquartered in Tampa, Front Burner is the restaurant management company for Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., the new casual whimsical dining concept Melting Pot Social and fast-casual concept  Oronzo Honest Italian! Melting Pot currently has more than 96 restaurants in 31 U.S. states and Canada. Melting Pot Social opened its first location in July 2021 in Asheville, NC. Oronzo opened its first location in Tampa, FL. in June 2020 and a second location in the Tampa, FL. area in November 2021. For more information, visit  http://www.frontburnerbrands.com.