LAST UPDATED: May 2026
FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://meltfranchising.com/
1851 NEWSROOM: https://1851franchise.com/the-melt
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 19
REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $1,377,166 - $3,070,256
REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $3,453,958 (average annual gross sales, FY 2025)
The Melt is a fast-casual restaurant concept centered on craveable MeltBurgers, Melted Classics, fries and handspun milkshakes, all served in a welcoming environment designed to create an “I Love it Here” experience for every guest. The brand combines a focused menu with an operational model built with discipline and intention, allowing it to deliver consistent quality and speed across its restaurants.
The Melt is a San Francisco-founded brand built on a hospitality-first philosophy that goes beyond food, centered on delivering an “I Love It Here” experience through every guest interaction. The culture at The Melt is rooted in a simple belief - take care of your people so they take care of guests, and that approach shows up in how teams operate, creating a sense of energy, pride and consistency inside each restaurant. The brand pairs that culture with a differentiated identity anchored by its “World’s Meltiest Burgers,” positioning itself as a concept designed to build loyalty through both product and experience rather than relying on shortcuts or trends.
Mission: The Melt’s mission is to create an “I Love It Here” experience for every guest, every visit and for every team member. The brand aims to build something lasting by pairing food people love with a hospitality culture that makes people want to come back.
Vision: The Melt’s vision is to grow thoughtfully with experienced, high-performing restaurant operators who can help build a strong foundation for the franchise system and bring the brand to more guests in more places. The plan is to build a team of the best operators in America.
The Melt currently has franchise opportunities available in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia. The brand also has opportunities coming soon in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Washington, D.C.
Visit The Melt’s franchise website for more information on available territories.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a franchise ranges from $1,377,166 to $3,070,256. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Rent | $15,000 | $60,000 |
| Security Deposit | $5,000 | $100,000 |
| Real Estate & Improvements | $650,000 | $1,700,000 |
| Training Expenses (Travel & Living) | $2,000 | $8,000 |
| Furnishings, Fixtures, Equipment & Decorating | $300,000 | $500,000 |
| Signage | $45,000 | $120,000 |
| Opening Inventory | $25,000 | $35,000 |
| IT/Computer Hardware/Software (Franchisor) | $2,250 | $7,200 |
| IT/Computer Hardware/Software (Suppliers/Vendors) | $47,750 | $62,800 |
| POS/Technology Fee (Franchisor) | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| POS/Technology Fee (Suppliers/Vendors) | $4,869 | $4,959 |
| MarTech Fees | $1,797 | $1,797 |
| Grand Opening | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Professional Fees/Soft Costs | $110,000 | $250,000 |
| Insurance | $9,000 | $15,000 |
| Miscellaneous Opening Costs | $3,000 | $14,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $75,000 | $100,000 |
| Smallwares | $25,000 | $35,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $40,000 for each restaurant. This fee is payable upon signing the franchise agreement.
Franchisees are required to enter into a development agreement that requires them to develop an agreed number of franchises (typically five). A $20,000 fee for each franchised restaurant must be paid upon signing the development agreement. This fee will be credited against the $40,000 franchise fee for each developed restaurant.
Ongoing Fees: As detailed in the 2026 FDD, The Melt franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of gross sales/week |
| Advertising Fund Fee | 2.5% of gross sales/week |
| Advertising Cooperatives | Up to 2% of gross sales/week |
| Technology Fee (Franchisor) | $500/month |
| Technology Fee (Suppliers/Vendors) | $1,623 - $1,653/month |
| MarTech Fees | $599/month |
ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, the 14 affiliate restaurants operating for the entirety of FY 2025 reported the following annual gross sales:
| Tertile | Average | Median | High | Low |
| Top 1/3 (5) | $5,032,438 | $4,746,735 | $6,119,036 | $3,718,018 |
| Middle 1/3 (5) | $3,069,331 | $3,020,383 | $3,424,488 | $2,801,723 |
| Bottom 1/3 (4) | $1,961,644 | $2,015,258 | $2,052,451 | $1,763,608 |
| Total (14) | $3,453,958 | $3,066,113 | $6,119,036 | $1,763,608 |
The Melt provides comprehensive development support designed specifically for experienced multi-unit operators. This is built on decades of successful strategy combined with a groundbreaking, AI-powered trade area model that identifies high-potential A++ locations nationwide. Using spatial data science, DBSCAN clustering, and a proprietary scoring framework built on the proven “Live, Work, Play and Learn” drivers, major universities, entertainment venues, dense residential and nightlife corridors, and the presence of strong analog brands such as Shake Shack, Cava, and others, The Melt maps trade areas that mirror the performance of its top corporate restaurants.
Franchisees benefit from a clear Flagship-Fortress-Hub & Spoke expansion strategy, protected territories, and full real estate, design, and construction guidance. This repeatable framework ensures early partners receive clear guidance on identifying high-potential target trade areas within their territories protected by development agreements. This allows franchisees to build efficiently while replicating the delivery-heavy, late-night sales patterns that drive The Melt’s strongest locations.
Before opening, The Melt guides qualified candidates through a defined process that includes an introductory call, a deeper franchise overview, a review of financial qualifications and market availability, delivery of the Franchise Disclosure Document and a Discovery Day with restaurant tours, leadership meetings and a closer look at operational systems and franchise support. After approval, the brand works with franchisees on development territory details and begins identifying the first restaurant location.
The Melt ties training directly to its “I love it here” standard. Its franchise site says that guest and team experience are embedded into training, operational standards and brand culture, with Discovery Day also giving candidates a closer look at how the system works in the kitchen and how the brand defines its standards.
The brand’s operational support is built around a proven operating system, franchise support, operational systems and a streamlined kitchen flow. The Melt also emphasizes long-term franchisee support from a leadership team with experience in operations playbooks, training, marketing strategy and unit economics, all within a model built with discipline and intention.
The Melt’s technology supports ordering, reordering, delivery and in-store loyalty tracking. Its app allows for faster ordering and reordering, delivery without third-party markups and receipt scanning for in-restaurant purchases, while the model is built to drive strong off-premise performance, high throughput and efficient kitchen flow within a compact layout.
The Melt is seeking experienced multi-unit restaurant operators with a strong background in leadership, team development and day-to-day restaurant management. Ideal candidates have experience operating multiple locations, demonstrate a commitment to brand standards and execution, have a history of current franchise system recognition and excellence and bring a track record of operational excellence within their current systems.
Operating a The Melt franchise requires ongoing oversight of a full restaurant operation. A typical location employs about 16 to 22 people, operates within a 1,900- to 2,300-square-foot space, and must follow the brand’s systems, standards and procedures. The franchisee is responsible for the overall business, including compliance with the Franchise Agreement and Operations Manual, staffing and performance.
The franchisee must maintain direct responsibility for the restaurant but is not required to personally supervise day-to-day operations. A manager who has completed the required initial training must be on-site at all times during operating hours and is responsible for daily management and proper operation.
The model allows for a manager-run structure, but the franchisee remains accountable for the business's performance and operations.
The Melt does not directly provide financing, but may assist franchisees by sharing relationships with third-party lenders familiar with restaurant franchising.
The U.S. burger restaurant sector is sizable and still expanding, with market size estimated at $177.7 billion in 2026, up 2.4% from $173.6 billion in 2025. Burgers also remain one of the most established segments in chain dining: in the latest national rankings, the quick-service hamburger category was the largest single category among the top 50 U.S. restaurant chains, with 10 chains represented.
That scale is part of a U.S. restaurant market that continues to grow, with sales projected to hit $1.55 trillion in 2026 and eating and drinking place sales up 3.9% year over year in January. Burger brands have room to expand, but they are operating in a category where value, familiarity and convenience still guide most decisions.
The Melt’s primary competitors include Habit Burger & Grill, Five Guys, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Mooyah, Smashburger, BurgerFi, Elevation Burger, Culver's, Fatburger, Steak n Shake and Wayback Burgers.
The Melt differentiates itself by combining a focused, comfort-driven menu with a tightly controlled operating model built with discipline and intention. Instead of competing purely on scale or price, the brand centers its experience on the MeltBurger, Melted Classics and a streamlined menu designed for consistency and speed.
Just as important, The Melt is built around delivering an “I love it here” experience, positioning itself as a place guests return to regularly rather than a purely transactional stop. That emphasis on repeat visits, combined with a smaller footprint, technology-enabled ordering and strong off-premise capabilities, creates a model that blends fast-casual quality with quick-service efficiency.
Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.
Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.
Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
| The Melt Experts Investment Range | $1,377,166 - $3,070,256 |
| No. of Units Currently Open | 19 company-owned locations |
| Average Sales | $3.4M Annually |
The Melt
SPONSORED
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: The Melt is a polished fast-casual burger concept known for its MeltBurgers, with an operating approach that holds up as franchisees grow beyond a single location.
LAST UPDATED: May 2026
FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://meltfranchising.com/
1851 NEWSROOM: https://1851franchise.com/the-melt
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 19
REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $1,377,166 - $3,070,256
REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $3,453,958 (average annual gross sales, FY 2025)
The Melt is a fast-casual restaurant concept centered on craveable MeltBurgers, Melted Classics, fries and handspun milkshakes, all served in a welcoming environment designed to create an “I Love it Here” experience for every guest. The brand combines a focused menu with an operational model built with discipline and intention, allowing it to deliver consistent quality and speed across its restaurants.
The Melt is a San Francisco-founded brand built on a hospitality-first philosophy that goes beyond food, centered on delivering an “I Love It Here” experience through every guest interaction. The culture at The Melt is rooted in a simple belief - take care of your people so they take care of guests, and that approach shows up in how teams operate, creating a sense of energy, pride and consistency inside each restaurant. The brand pairs that culture with a differentiated identity anchored by its “World’s Meltiest Burgers,” positioning itself as a concept designed to build loyalty through both product and experience rather than relying on shortcuts or trends.
Mission: The Melt’s mission is to create an “I Love It Here” experience for every guest, every visit and for every team member. The brand aims to build something lasting by pairing food people love with a hospitality culture that makes people want to come back.
Vision: The Melt’s vision is to grow thoughtfully with experienced, high-performing restaurant operators who can help build a strong foundation for the franchise system and bring the brand to more guests in more places. The plan is to build a team of the best operators in America.
The Melt currently has franchise opportunities available in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia. The brand also has opportunities coming soon in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Washington, D.C.
Visit The Melt’s franchise website for more information on available territories.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a franchise ranges from $1,377,166 to $3,070,256. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Rent | $15,000 | $60,000 |
| Security Deposit | $5,000 | $100,000 |
| Real Estate & Improvements | $650,000 | $1,700,000 |
| Training Expenses (Travel & Living) | $2,000 | $8,000 |
| Furnishings, Fixtures, Equipment & Decorating | $300,000 | $500,000 |
| Signage | $45,000 | $120,000 |
| Opening Inventory | $25,000 | $35,000 |
| IT/Computer Hardware/Software (Franchisor) | $2,250 | $7,200 |
| IT/Computer Hardware/Software (Suppliers/Vendors) | $47,750 | $62,800 |
| POS/Technology Fee (Franchisor) | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| POS/Technology Fee (Suppliers/Vendors) | $4,869 | $4,959 |
| MarTech Fees | $1,797 | $1,797 |
| Grand Opening | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Professional Fees/Soft Costs | $110,000 | $250,000 |
| Insurance | $9,000 | $15,000 |
| Miscellaneous Opening Costs | $3,000 | $14,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $75,000 | $100,000 |
| Smallwares | $25,000 | $35,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $40,000 for each restaurant. This fee is payable upon signing the franchise agreement.
Franchisees are required to enter into a development agreement that requires them to develop an agreed number of franchises (typically five). A $20,000 fee for each franchised restaurant must be paid upon signing the development agreement. This fee will be credited against the $40,000 franchise fee for each developed restaurant.
Ongoing Fees: As detailed in the 2026 FDD, The Melt franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of gross sales/week |
| Advertising Fund Fee | 2.5% of gross sales/week |
| Advertising Cooperatives | Up to 2% of gross sales/week |
| Technology Fee (Franchisor) | $500/month |
| Technology Fee (Suppliers/Vendors) | $1,623 - $1,653/month |
| MarTech Fees | $599/month |
ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, the 14 affiliate restaurants operating for the entirety of FY 2025 reported the following annual gross sales:
| Tertile | Average | Median | High | Low |
| Top 1/3 (5) | $5,032,438 | $4,746,735 | $6,119,036 | $3,718,018 |
| Middle 1/3 (5) | $3,069,331 | $3,020,383 | $3,424,488 | $2,801,723 |
| Bottom 1/3 (4) | $1,961,644 | $2,015,258 | $2,052,451 | $1,763,608 |
| Total (14) | $3,453,958 | $3,066,113 | $6,119,036 | $1,763,608 |
The Melt provides comprehensive development support designed specifically for experienced multi-unit operators. This is built on decades of successful strategy combined with a groundbreaking, AI-powered trade area model that identifies high-potential A++ locations nationwide. Using spatial data science, DBSCAN clustering, and a proprietary scoring framework built on the proven “Live, Work, Play and Learn” drivers, major universities, entertainment venues, dense residential and nightlife corridors, and the presence of strong analog brands such as Shake Shack, Cava, and others, The Melt maps trade areas that mirror the performance of its top corporate restaurants.
Franchisees benefit from a clear Flagship-Fortress-Hub & Spoke expansion strategy, protected territories, and full real estate, design, and construction guidance. This repeatable framework ensures early partners receive clear guidance on identifying high-potential target trade areas within their territories protected by development agreements. This allows franchisees to build efficiently while replicating the delivery-heavy, late-night sales patterns that drive The Melt’s strongest locations.
Before opening, The Melt guides qualified candidates through a defined process that includes an introductory call, a deeper franchise overview, a review of financial qualifications and market availability, delivery of the Franchise Disclosure Document and a Discovery Day with restaurant tours, leadership meetings and a closer look at operational systems and franchise support. After approval, the brand works with franchisees on development territory details and begins identifying the first restaurant location.
The Melt ties training directly to its “I love it here” standard. Its franchise site says that guest and team experience are embedded into training, operational standards and brand culture, with Discovery Day also giving candidates a closer look at how the system works in the kitchen and how the brand defines its standards.
The brand’s operational support is built around a proven operating system, franchise support, operational systems and a streamlined kitchen flow. The Melt also emphasizes long-term franchisee support from a leadership team with experience in operations playbooks, training, marketing strategy and unit economics, all within a model built with discipline and intention.
The Melt’s technology supports ordering, reordering, delivery and in-store loyalty tracking. Its app allows for faster ordering and reordering, delivery without third-party markups and receipt scanning for in-restaurant purchases, while the model is built to drive strong off-premise performance, high throughput and efficient kitchen flow within a compact layout.
The Melt is seeking experienced multi-unit restaurant operators with a strong background in leadership, team development and day-to-day restaurant management. Ideal candidates have experience operating multiple locations, demonstrate a commitment to brand standards and execution, have a history of current franchise system recognition and excellence and bring a track record of operational excellence within their current systems.
Operating a The Melt franchise requires ongoing oversight of a full restaurant operation. A typical location employs about 16 to 22 people, operates within a 1,900- to 2,300-square-foot space, and must follow the brand’s systems, standards and procedures. The franchisee is responsible for the overall business, including compliance with the Franchise Agreement and Operations Manual, staffing and performance.
The franchisee must maintain direct responsibility for the restaurant but is not required to personally supervise day-to-day operations. A manager who has completed the required initial training must be on-site at all times during operating hours and is responsible for daily management and proper operation.
The model allows for a manager-run structure, but the franchisee remains accountable for the business's performance and operations.
The Melt does not directly provide financing, but may assist franchisees by sharing relationships with third-party lenders familiar with restaurant franchising.
The U.S. burger restaurant sector is sizable and still expanding, with market size estimated at $177.7 billion in 2026, up 2.4% from $173.6 billion in 2025. Burgers also remain one of the most established segments in chain dining: in the latest national rankings, the quick-service hamburger category was the largest single category among the top 50 U.S. restaurant chains, with 10 chains represented.
That scale is part of a U.S. restaurant market that continues to grow, with sales projected to hit $1.55 trillion in 2026 and eating and drinking place sales up 3.9% year over year in January. Burger brands have room to expand, but they are operating in a category where value, familiarity and convenience still guide most decisions.
The Melt’s primary competitors include Habit Burger & Grill, Five Guys, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Mooyah, Smashburger, BurgerFi, Elevation Burger, Culver's, Fatburger, Steak n Shake and Wayback Burgers.
The Melt differentiates itself by combining a focused, comfort-driven menu with a tightly controlled operating model built with discipline and intention. Instead of competing purely on scale or price, the brand centers its experience on the MeltBurger, Melted Classics and a streamlined menu designed for consistency and speed.
Just as important, The Melt is built around delivering an “I love it here” experience, positioning itself as a place guests return to regularly rather than a purely transactional stop. That emphasis on repeat visits, combined with a smaller footprint, technology-enabled ordering and strong off-premise capabilities, creates a model that blends fast-casual quality with quick-service efficiency.
Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.
Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.
Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
| The Melt Experts Investment Range | $1,377,166 - $3,070,256 |
| No. of Units Currently Open | 19 company-owned locations |
| Average Sales | $3.4M Annually |
| The Melt Experts Investment Range | $1,377,166 - $3,070,256 |
| No. of Units Currently Open | 19 company-owned locations |
| Average Sales | $3.4M Annually |
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