Melting Pot

For five decades,&nbsp;<a href="http://meltingpotfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=seasonal-menu-retail-innovation-2730659" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Melting Pot</a> — the 90-plus unit fondue franchise — has been a leader in the fondue space, consistently delivering the Perfect Night Out for its guests. Its foundation is built on providing unforgettable in-restaurant experiences, and offering a combination of both classic fondue flavors and seasonal and limited-time offers that keep things fresh and exciting for new and established guests alike.&nbsp;Now,&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/info">Melting Pot</a> is extending its magic beyond the four walls with Melting Pot At Home, a complementary line of retail products designed to keep the brand top of mind for guests between their visits.“The foundation of Melting Pot is and always will be its restaurants,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlukasbourgeois/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=seasonal-menu-retail-innovation-2730659" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jennifer Lukas-Bourgeois</a>, retail business unit director. “It’s all about the Perfect Night Out, celebrating an occasion and having that communal experience. Our retail line is a powerful tool to reinforce that experience, offering a chance to bring a taste of Melting Pot home. That way, our brand is always a part of our guests’ lives.”<h2>A Cohesive Strategy: In-Restaurant and At-Home Innovation</h2>This fall, Melting Pot is bringing the season’s favorite flavor to life in two delicious ways. In participating restaurants, guests can enjoy the&nbsp;Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Fondue&nbsp;— a limited-time, in-restaurant experience that captures the cozy flavors of fall.Meanwhile, online fans can indulge at home with the&nbsp;Pumpkin Pie Chocolate Fondue, available exclusively for a limited time through Melting Pot’s retail channel.Together, these two offerings work in harmony — bridging the in-restaurant experience with at-home fondue moments. Melting Pot is leveraging this synergy to deepen brand connection and make it easier than ever for guests to enjoy the magic of fondue wherever they are.“Everyone is so passionate about pumpkin spice and pumpkin pie, and we wanted to deliver that flavor to our guests,” Lukas-Bourgeois said. “This year our innovation available online is the Pumpkin Pie Chocolate Fondue: an irresistible blend of velvety white chocolate wafers, warm pumpkin pie spice, silky pumpkin puree and a crunchy graham cracker topping. Our guests can also savor the season with us in-restaurant with our Pumpkin Spice Chocolate Fondue: a creamy white chocolate blended with spiced pumpkin purée and caramel, topped with autumn-spiced graham cracker crunch and a swirl of whipped topping. Both available for a limited time.”The Melting Pot system is intentional about its innovations, watching trends and keeping seasonal favorites in mind as they develop new products for both retail and in-restaurant offerings. Maintaining a focus on the consumers’ desires ensures the team is innovating in a way that will truly speak to the guests and keep Melting Pot fresh in their minds.<h2>Innovation of All Kinds Supports Franchisee Growth</h2>As Melting Pot launches limited-time in-restaurant and retail offerings, the emphasis remains on reinforcing what the brand stands for: quality, flavor and a sense of togetherness.Melting Pot’s retail presence in over 2,500 locations this fall will act as a powerful marketing tool, creating millions of brand impressions that keep Melting Pot top of mind and remind guests to book their next Perfect Night Out at their local restaurant.The seasonal retail flavors also echo the special, seasonal restaurant menus that drive repeat visits and buzz. Seeing a unique product in a retail environment reminds consumers of the novelty and culinary experience Melting Pot offers, reinforcing excitement for the brand — in restaurants and beyond.“All of these efforts, from limited-time e-commerce offers and curated in-restaurant menu items to our digital and social presence, serve the same purpose,” Lukas-Bourgeois said. “Keeping the Melting Pot quality and experience consistent across multiple settings and making it available in additional contexts supports consistent brand awareness and drives guests back to our dining rooms.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://meltingpotfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=seasonal-menu-retail-innovation-2730659" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">meltingpotfranchise.com</a>.&nbsp;

Melting Pot Franchise: Driving Growth with Retail & Dining

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The iconic fondue brand is pairing in-restaurant creativity with a growing retail presence to deepen guest connections and boost traffic.

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

Melting Pot Expands Its Flavor Story With Seasonal Menus and Retail Line

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

Melting Pot Evolution Sets the Stage for the Next 50 Years

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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;

The iconic fondue franchise is carrying this remarkable momentum into 2026 with ongoing remodeling efforts systemwide, a growing retail presence and a limited-time franchisee incentive program.

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Melting Pot’s Experience-First Model Wins the Battle for Guest Attention and Loyalty

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As&nbsp;<a href="http://meltingpotfranchise.com">Melting Pot</a>, the 93-unit fondue franchise, celebrates Women’s History Month, there is a clear spotlight shining on Bentonville, Arkansas, where mother-daughter duo Diana Bonnett and Candice Hickerson are leading the successful operation of the brand’s first location in the state. For the pair, bringing the iconic fondue brand to Arkansas was the next step in a long-term business partnership built around trust, grit and shared entrepreneurial spirit.“As the daughter, my mom and stepdad owned a construction company when I was very young. Being in a family business… I don’t know any different,” Hickerson said. “By the time I was seven or eight, I was in their office. I always saw them working. I think because I grew up in it, seeing my parents earn their money and understanding how much each family member needs to contribute, it made it easy to transition to business ownership when I was old enough.”In her early 20s, Hickerson approached her mother with research and a business plan to start a group home for children and adults with disabilities, and they began growing this concept together.<h2>The Transition to the Hospitality Industry</h2>Hickerson and Bonnett operated the residential care facilities business for about 20 years in California before the family began considering relocating outside of California. Around this time, Hickerson was on a date with her husband,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chad-r-hickerson-69880923/">Chad</a>, at the Sacramento&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/info">Melting Pot</a> location, one of their favorite restaurants, and they thought, “Why don’t we open a Melting Pot?”The family ended up moving to Arkansas, noting that Bentonville is particularly suited for the Melting Pot model.As they’ve made the transition to a new state and opened their new Melting Pot restaurant, Hickerson and Bonnett have stayed true to the family business model.“Owning a business is hard, but you have your hands in everything,” Bonnett said. “You’re accountable for the business, but you can feel confident knowing you have a hand in the future of the business. Just standing back and not being active in the business isn’t our style. Business ownership is great. I wish more women did it.”While the pair recognized taking the leap to a new industry would be a risk, it was a calculated, well-researched one, and they took the step with confidence in each other and their ability to work as a team.“We’re in the process of transitioning right now,” Hickerson added. “We have one business that’s been operating for almost 20 years and another brand new one. We’re starting from square one with Melting Pot. We’re still working to scale and reinvest in the business. People don’t always tell you how hard business ownership can be; we’re back to a point where we’re expecting three solid years of hard work with Melting Pot, but we also see the bigger picture. Risk is good, and I know that, in a couple of years, it will all pay off if we just don’t stop.”<h2>Leading as Women in Business</h2>Though they recognize the responsibility associated with business ownership and leadership, Hickerson and Bonnett remain strong proponents of women taking these positions.“Don’t be short-sighted because it’s tough,” Bonnett said. “There have been times with Melting Pot where I’ve thought, ‘I don’t know if I can do this,’ but you have to see the vision. Look at what’s working well, what’s not, and what changes you can make. There are a lot of networks to reach out to. Find a mentor; chat with someone. We’ve found another Melting Pot owner who we’ve been able to go to for guidance. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”In addition to encouraging other women to explore entrepreneurship, the pair recognizes how their approach to leadership as women can influence their own business.“Women, historically, are seen as abrasive when we lean in, but I’m okay with being perceived that way if I need to for the sake of my business,” Hickerson said. “But there are also times when I don’t want to do that. I’m very empathetic. I think that this does have a lot of benefits. Staff are happy and comfortable knowing they can go to a woman in leadership if they need to.”For other women entering the business world, Hickerson and Bonnett recommend balancing your own identity with the realities of business ownership. With a strong sense of self, you can stay consistent and steady while operating with your values in mind. However, it’s also important to be confident enough to admit when you’re not sure or own a mistake for the long-term health of the team and business.“One of the hardest things for me has been owning my mistakes or not responding when I don’t know the answer to something rather than responding emotionally,” Bonnett said. “But the more you do it, the better manager and owner you become.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot">https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot</a>.

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Diana Bonnett and Candice Hickerson, co-owners of the Bentonville fondue franchise location, have a partnership fueled by trust, vision and shared entrepreneurial values.

Women in Business: Mother-Daughter Duo Leads Melting Pot Success in Arkansas

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For franchisees looking to enter the restaurant landscape, starting from scratch isn’t always the only (or best) option. Legacy brands like&nbsp;<a href="http://meltingpotfranchise.com">Melting Pot</a>, the 94-unit fondue franchise, may have resale opportunities. By purchasing an existing location, new franchisees gain a strategic upper hand, going into business for themselves with a nearly nonexistent runway to launch and, often, a strong existing team and customer base.&nbsp;“The buying process requires the same due diligence that should be completed when buying a new franchise,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/collin-benyo-1bb36a248">Collin Benyo</a>, Franchise Growth Strategist. “But once you make the decision, the site selection process is cut out, saving you nine months compared to the traditional development schedule. The buy-in is lower than you might expect to join a 50-year legacy brand, making this a unique opportunity to become part of something established and proven.”By investing in an established location, franchisees are also able to leverage existing local marketing power, pre-established supplier relationships and well-honed operational systems to make the transition even smoother.With these factors, the opportunity presents clear advantages, but it’s still important that candidates have a thorough understanding of exactly what the investment represents.<h2>Completing Proper Due Diligence on a Resale Franchise Opportunity</h2>“Why is this location being sold?” is a key question for candidates exploring resale opportunities. While this can create some hesitancy, it’s best to just ask.“One of the biggest reasons we have resale opportunities is because we have franchisees who are finishing their chapter,” Benyo said. “They’ve been with&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot/info">Melting Pot</a> for 30-plus years. They’ve had a great run. And they’re ready to retire, but they want to pass the torch.”Resale opportunities aren’t always tied to weak performance or a frustrated owner. Often, the location is being sold because a longtime franchisee is ready to step away after decades in the business. They’ve built something they’re proud of, and they want the next owner to carry it forward and keep it growing.“There are some resale opportunities with locations that we made the strategic decision to close, but when we bring them back to the market as a resale, it’s because we’re confident that now’s the time,” Benyo said.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/melting-pot-returns-syracuse-destiny-mall-2730540#stories">Destiny USA mall location</a> is a prime example of this. Benyo explained that this specific location previously closed for reasons beyond Melting Pot’s control, but with the right franchisees, there was a prime opportunity to reinvigorate it.“Melting Pot was primed to come back in,” Benyo said. “It was a great space; we just needed the right franchisees. Now, we have a great group of energetic, talented operators who saw this investment as an easy win. They took advantage of the opportunity, and they’ve already seen great success.”“Each resale location has its own story, and it’s part of the due diligence process to read into that and learn more about the history,” he added.<h2>Elevated Tools and Data-Driven Site Selection Further Validate Resale Opportunities</h2>In the past, there have been markets that simply weren’t ready for a Melting Pot. Resale opportunities with this backstory are now returning to the market — this time backed by real data and strong confidence from the corporate team.“Birmingham, Alabama, is a great example of how we address evolving markets. We now work with SiteZeus, and we can see who is supplying the right recency, frequency and spend,” Benyo said. “In the 10 years since that location has been operational, the market segmentation has drifted south toward that location. The building’s ownership has spent money on revitalizing the space, and there is a lot of traffic in the area. When we looked at the opportunity to reinstate, a lot has changed. We see this as an opportunity for a franchisee in our community to come in and be very successful.”While the communities that house these kinds of resale opportunities are often anxiously awaiting the return of their beloved Melting Pot, strong community sentiment alone isn’t always enough to seal the deal. With advanced analysis and an incredibly clear view of who their target customer base is, the Melting Pot development team can provide another layer of validation for candidates considering reviving a previous location.<h2>The “New Entity Effect”</h2>For those considering a resale, Benyo emphasizes that it’s important to strike a balance between the existing presence and any changes that may come with revitalization and new ownership.Stepping into an existing location certainly has its efficiencies, but the Melting Pot team is not under the impression that new owners will step in and “just continue driving the car down the road.”“Even if they’re buying a well-established location from a legacy owner, all of our franchisees go through the same approval process, and they understand that this is not a ‘set-it-and-forget-it’ kind of business,” Benyo said. “You’re still getting the same support a new location would get with marketing and even any necessary design and construction.”&nbsp;“There is a large cost difference between resales and what a typical build-out would be, but we may still need to modernize the existing location,” he continued. “It’s far too easy to unlock the doors and turn the lights on, but teams who make a really big splash and create a new look and feel are recognized and celebrated by their communities. They have great openings and strong continued sales.”Across the Melting Pot system, the most successful franchisees are the ones who are aware of what’s going on in their restaurants and communities. Consistent engagement and a steady commitment to the in-restaurant experience, whether it’s a brand new location, a reopened one or an existing one that simply transferred ownership, is what drives Melting Pot's success.A Melting Pot resale offers a faster way into ownership with a legacy brand that already has awareness in the market. With a shorter timeline and lower upfront lift than a new build, franchisees can put their focus on running the operation, following the system and growing the location’s performance.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot">https://1851franchise.com/meltingpot</a>.&nbsp;

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Through resale opportunities, franchisees can join the iconic fondue franchise with a more modest investment, shorter runway to launch and existing local demand.

Melting Pot Expands Its Flavor Story With Seasonal Menus and Retail Line

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