Melting Pot, the iconic 92-unit fondue franchise, has closed another quarter of celebration, evolution and recognition. While Melting Pot launched its new franchise incentive designed to support franchisees converting to the system, it also celebrated its longstanding owners who continue to grow and evolve with the brand and recognized those crossing the two-decade mark with Melting Pot.
“The Melting Pot team has been keenly focused on strategic growth this year, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made,” said CEO Bob Johnston. “Another fourteen restaurants were remodeled in line with the new Melting Pot Evolution design, bringing them to a more modern, cohesive standard. And as our existing owners continue to thrive, we’ve also worked to lower the barrier to entry for passionate restauranteurs who want to join the family.”
In total, over 60% of Melting Pot locations have completed their remodels as part of the Melting Pot Evolution initiative, and the brand projects another 14 locations to undergo remodels in Q4.
Earlier this year, Melting Pot announced its new conversion initiative, which provides existing restaurant owners with the support and scaffolding they need to successfully turn their locations into Melting Pot restaurants with less financial strain than the typical conversion process presents.
Convert Your Restaurant Incentive
Are the sales of your existing restaurant not meeting your expectations? Do you desire more support as a restaurant owner? Do you desire the marketing and operating resources of a national chain?
A candidate or current Melting Pot franchise owner that is approved may execute a conversion of their existing non-Melting Pot restaurant, paying only a $5,000 franchise fee per unit (discounted from $45,000 — with a rebate paid at lease signing). Conversion must start 90 days after franchise agreement.
In addition to the lower franchise fee, Melting Pot will cover up to $12,500/month for up to 6 months in lost income during the conversion buildout. This will allow an existing restaurant operator the chance to close down and reopen as a Melting Pot. Additionally, Melting Pot will give you $5,000 toward a sign package and $25,000 (managed by the Melting Pot marketing team) to market their new Melting Pot location.
The new incentive illustrates the brand’s commitment to the support and success of its franchise partners — something that has built incredible longevity within the system.
At the 2024 MPX convention, which took place in September, the system reunited to celebrate the accomplishments of the year and recognize some of its top-performers. In the third quarter, three franchisees in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; San Antonio, Texas; and Colorado Springs, Colorado marked their 20th anniversaries with the brand.
The convention also offered a stage for Melting Pot to celebrate some of its top achievers, including Chris Keys — owner of the Melting Pot in Fort Myers, Florida — who earned the Restaurant of the Year award for his second year in a row.
The recipient of the award is identified through a rigorous analysis process that considers factors like sales growth, guest count growth, completion of training programs, how fast tables are turned over, guest reviews and more. Keys, who worked as an employee at the location before joining with partners to purchase it in 2017, has excelled at running a healthy business, consistently putting the guest experience first to deliver the perfect night out that Melting Pot is known for.
In Q3, Melting Pot launched a new initiative, Down to Fondue Happy Hour, in a strategic focus to revitalize the brand’s bar scene, enhance customer experience and provide opportunity for an increase in systemwide sales. As a result of this Q3 initiative, the brand saw an 18% increase in bar sales compared to the previous year.
With a healthy system and the resources in place to support continued expansion, Melting Pot is looking forward to strategic growth in markets such as Tennessee, Alabama, South Carolina, Texas and Kentucky as it seeks passionate, qualified entrepreneurs to join the Melting Pot family.
