Melting Pot

<a href="https://www.meltingpotfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=questions-with-leaders-the-melting-pots-leadership-discusses-franchises-distinguishing-factors-2718795" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Melting Pot</a>, the 97-unit fondue franchise known for creating immersive dining experiences, has spent nearly half a decade being a favorite chain of families, friends and couples. The brand made a name for itself as a premium choice for upscale meals and special occasions, and continues to catch America’s attention by constantly evolving and bringing fresh ideas to the table — in addition to the delicious fondue.&nbsp;The company’s leadership team is composed of highly skilled individuals who all have double-digit years of experience in the restaurant industry. These executives all work together with clear visions of continuing&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot">The Melting Pot</a>’s success. Four of these leaders — CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-johnston-4b6b0a4a?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=questions-with-leaders-the-melting-pots-leadership-discusses-franchises-distinguishing-factors-2718795" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bob Johnston</a>, CMO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-malmqvist?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=questions-with-leaders-the-melting-pots-leadership-discusses-franchises-distinguishing-factors-2718795" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ana Malmqvist</a>, EVP of Franchise and Restaurant Operations&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-r-crawford-784a0810?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=questions-with-leaders-the-melting-pots-leadership-discusses-franchises-distinguishing-factors-2718795" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">John Crawford&nbsp;</a>and Chief Operating and Development Officer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-stone-cfe-b6b2808?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=questions-with-leaders-the-melting-pots-leadership-discusses-franchises-distinguishing-factors-2718795" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dan Stone</a> — talked about what makes the brand stand out amongst all other dining options.&nbsp;<h4>What makes The Melting Pot unique in the “eatertainment” industry?</h4>While diners have many restaurant options, there are few eateries that offer an entire entertainment experience as well. The Melting Pot is the only fondue franchise in the United States, with a menu that is based on sharing and conversing around the middle of the table.&nbsp;“It is literally 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 that 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 it is what's in that pot.”&nbsp;And while many choose the fondue experience for a special occasion, 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 been very successful at showing customers why they should continue choosing The Melting Pot.&nbsp;“We're very well known for special occasions and romantic occasions, birthdays and anniversaries,” said Malmqvist. “We have been looking at how to protect these exceptional occasions because that's our core, but also start expanding a little bit to have more frequency out of our guests.” She spearheaded two very successful promotions, Thursday and Best Fondue Friends Forever.<h4>Why is now a great time to buy a Melting Pot?</h4>The Melting Pot has been in business since 1975, and the company has remained a favorite and top contender in the eatertainment sphere. It has managed to do that over the span of over four decades and periods of economic uncertainty because its leadership is not afraid to adjust its vision to fit the time.&nbsp;During the pandemic when restaurants shut down to dine-in service, the executives put their heads together and came up with a strategic to-go plan so franchisees could still bring in revenue.&nbsp;“When we got thrown that curveball, they pulled together,” said Johnston. “We all worked on how to support the franchisees as best we could and prepare them for what we believed would be a flood of interest in the brand once people were able to come back to the restaurants — and that's exactly what's happened. The guests are flocking to us in record numbers, and we're outperforming the polished casual category more than we ever have before.”Crawford added to the brand’s stronghold on success despite challenges. “We have helped our franchisees come out of some pretty challenging times, but still have significant consumer demand. We are 20% higher than most of the brands out there in sales, if not more, and in traffic the Melting Pot is at least 8% to 10% higher.”Another significant selling point for investing that speaks to the Melting Pot’s adaptability is the full-brand revamp the company is going through. Stone has been focused on “refreshing” efforts, and the remodeled stores are doing extremely well.&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.Stone touched on the brand’s remodel and ability to stay trendy and hip. “We are focused on the single biggest evolution of our nearly 50-year history. We have all new stores being built with a sleek updated design and are in the process of remodeling all the existing stores. They look fantastic and the guests are really loving going.”<h4>Why are you passionate about Melting Pot—What makes you excited to go to work each day?</h4>When it comes to each of the leadership team members’ favorite part of their role, they all share the common connection of reveling in franchisees' successes. All four enjoy the people aspect, where they get to work one on one with owners of locations to elevate the brand as a whole.“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.”Crawford likes to be in the Melting Pot locations working right alongside franchisees to figure out what they need to continue being profitable. “I love getting into the restaurant and asking ‘What are your biggest challenges? What could I do to help you?’ Those questions always give me good insight on where each individual franchisee is. If you can connect and listen, it really helps guide what you're trying to accomplish,” Crawford said.Stone says they make sure that they have an open communication with the owners, which leads to great success on both an executive and operational side. “We are very approachable and they all have our cell phone numbers and can reach us at any time. We do a monthly franchise owners and operators meeting called Leadership Exchange. It's a way for us to interact with them so they understand what we're focused on and we can provide updates and an opportunity for questions,” he said.&nbsp;Malmqvist enjoys that her role as a marketer brings in more guests, which in turn generates more success for the brand’s franchisees, and brings in more investors. “I like the challenge of figuring out how we harness the consumer’s brand love to make them always want to choose us and drive traffic in. Then the franchisee is happy because they're getting the return on their investment. When you have a collective of happy franchisees, it makes it very attractive for outside potential candidates.”About Melting PotFounded 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 97 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

Questions with Leaders: The Melting Pot’s Leadership Discusses Franchise’s Distinguishing Factors

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The brand’s CEO, Chief Marketing Officer, Executive Vice President of Franchise, and Restaurant Operations and Chief Operating and Development Officer shared how the chain continues to do well after 46 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;

Questions with Leaders: The Melting Pot’s Leadership Discusses Franchise’s Distinguishing Factors

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