Press Room

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The Melting Pot Logo (Please review the Logo Standards) link opens a PDF

Logo - Full Color EPS

Logo - Black on White EPS

Logo - White on Black EPS

Logo - White and Color on Black EPS

Best In Glass™

Best In Glass

The Melting Pot Mule

The Bee's Tea

Old Fashioned: Modern and Classic

Authentic Mai Tai

Freshly Picked Margarita

TMP's G&T

Core Beverages*

Beer

Blackberry Sage Lemonade

Love Martini

Sam Adams Beer

Sunshine Sangria

Red and White Wine

Red Wine

White Wine

Fondue Offerings*

Cheese and Chocolate Fondue

Cheese Fondue*

Spinach Artichoke

Loaded Baked Potato Cheddar (Location Favorite)

Wisconsin Cheddar Pretzel Bread

Wisconsin Cheddar

Classic Alpine

Chocolate Fondue*

Flaming Turtle

Bananas Foster (Location Favorite)

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Dessert Dippers

Dark & Dulce (Location Favorite)

Pure Chocolate

Yin & Yang

Entrée*

Classic Entree

Shrimp & Sauces

Cold-Water Lobster

Steak Lovers

Shrimp Entree

Good Earth Vegetarian

Salad*

Caesar

California

House

Strawberry Almond (Location Favorite)

Girls' Night Out*

Girls' Night Out 1

Girls' Night Out 2

Romance*

Romance 1

Romance 2

Romance 3

Family*

Family 1

Family 2

Family 3

Double Date*

Double Date 1

Double Date 2

Friends*

Friends 1

Friends 2

Friends 3

Retail Products and Celebration Packages*

Six Signature Dipped Strawberries

The Melting Pot-Fondue Cookbook

Dark Chocolate Signature Dipped Strawberries

Milk Chocolate Signature Dipped Strawberries

White Signature Dipped Strawberry

Balloons

Framed Picture

Chocolate Fondue Wafers

Balloons & Gifts

Fondue Pot & Petals

Location Images*

Arrowhead, AZ

San Diego - Gaslamp, CA

El Paso, TX

*Not available for broadcast use.

Press Releases

Press releases

News

In the News

Corporate Principal

Bob Johnston, CEO and Chairman of the Board, Front Burner Brands

Founded

1975 in Maitland, Fla.

Company Description

Founded in 1975, The Melting Pot has offered a unique fondue dining experience for over 40 years. As the premier fondue restaurant franchise, The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. has more than 105 restaurants in 31 U.S. states, Canada, and Mexico, and more than 17 international locations in development. Known for offering a choice of fondue cooking styles and a variety of unique entrées, The Melting Pot's menu also features cheese fondues, salads, fine wines and chocolate fondue desserts. Fondue fans can join The Melting Pot's Club Fondue for exclusive promotions, special events and advance holiday reservation privileges. The Melting Pot is an affiliate of Front Burner, a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

Locations

U.S.: The Melting Pot has 104 restaurants.
Canada: There is one location open in Edmonton, Alberta.
Mexico: There are three locations open in Mexico City.

Guests can enjoy a choice of five cooking styles, including our new grill cooking style, and a variety of entrees combined with signature dipping sauces. The menu also includes award-winning cheese fondues, fresh salads, premium meat and seafood, fine wines, Best in Glass™ handcrafted cocktails and decadent chocolate fondue.

Website

meltingpot.com

Facebook

facebook.com/themeltingpotrestaurants

Twitter

@TheMeltingPot

Instagram

@TheMeltingPotRestaurants

Snapchat

@meltingpot1975

Corporate Headquarters

The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc.
7886 Woodland Center Blvd. Tampa, FL 33614
Toll Free: 800-783-0867
Telephone: 813-881-0055
Fax: 813-889-9361

Media Contact

Laura Mulhern
Director of Public Relations

Timeline

MEDIA CONTACT

Laura Mulhern
Director of Public Relations
PR@meltingpot.com

1975

The Melting Pot opened its first location in Maitland, Fla., outside of Orlando. First restaurant had four tables and a limited menu consisting of cheese, beef and chocolate fondue.

1976

The Melting Pot opened second restaurant in Orlando.

1979

Johnston brothers opened The Melting Pot's first franchise location outside of the Orlando market in Tallahassee, Fla. Current sustained operations: 3

1981

Johnston brothers opened The Melting Pot franchise in Tampa, Fla.

1984

The Melting Pot franchise location opened in Gainesville, Fla.

1985

Johnston brothers purchased all rights to the restaurant chain and established The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc. The next 10 years are marked by conservative growth as the newly formed franchise company assessed the short-term growth opportunities and long-term strategic growth plan. Johnston brothers opened company units in Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Fla.

1985-1995

The Melting Pot opened 2-3 franchised restaurants per year. Slow, but steady growth.

1995

The Melting Pot launched aggressive efforts to educate, engage and train franchisees. By this time, 26 restaurants opened.

1995-2001

The Melting Pot opened 20 restaurants (averaging 3 to 5 per year).

2001

The Melting Pot opened 10 restaurants.

2002

The Melting Pot opened 10 restaurants.

2003

The Melting Pot opened 10 restaurants, total 66 opened restaurants.

2004

The Melting Pot opened 16 locations, total 85 stores opened.

2005

The Melting Pot turned 30 and celebrated opening its 100th location in Pasadena, Calif.

2006

Introduced 12 new locations and more than 30 signed and in development.

2007

The Melting Pot opened 19 locations and 42 were in development.

2008

The Melting Pot opened 15 locations and 26 were in development.

2009

The Melting Pot signed first international franchise agreement for Western Canada and introduced 7 new locations.

2010

The Melting Pot celebrated its 35th anniversary, opened its first international location in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and opened its first Mexico location in Mexico City.

2015

The Melting Pot celebrated its 40th anniversary, was recognized as the No. 1 casual dining restaurant in the Nation’s Restaurant News 2015 Consumer Picks report.

2016

The Melting Pot was recognized as the No. 2 casual dining restaurant in the Nation’s Restaurant News 2016 Consumer Picks report.

2017

The Melting Pot signed the largest franchise deal in its history to bring 17 units to Mexico.

2018

The Melting Pot introduces the evolution of its legacy brand – new design, new day parts and new menu offerings in Red Bank, NJ and El Paso, TX.

The Melting Pot offers guests a new cooking style and enhanced fondue experience featuring tabletop cast-iron grilling.

History

History of The Melting Pot

For over 40 years, The Melting Pot has defined the fondue experience niche across the American dining scene and now looks forward to continued domestic success as well as continued international expansion.

The first Melting Pot opened in April of 1975 in Maitland, Fla., just outside of Orlando. It was a cozy, quaint location, and its first menu consisted of just three items: Swiss cheese fondue, beef fondue and a chocolate fondue dessert. However, as the restaurant’s popularity expanded, so did its menu and ambiance.

Mark Johnston, who was working his way through college as a waiter at The Melting Pot, noticed the popularity boost and, with the help of his brothers Mike and Bob, scraped together funding to open The Melting Pot of Tallahassee in 1979 (with the blessing of the original owners in Maitland... of course). The Tallahassee location grew enormously popular, and within one year, its success paved the way for future franchise expansion.

In 1981, the Johnston brothers decided to branch out and opened their second location in Tampa. As their business grew, the brothers began to consider franchising even more stores in order to expand

Then in 1985, Mark, Mike and Bob Johnston purchased all rights to The Melting Pot brand and established The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., the new franchise company. After a year of research and reorganization, The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. began its franchise offering.

From the start, the Johnston brothers were diligent in their search for energetic entrepreneurs who were as excited as they were about the concept and its potential. Their commitment to building a close knit fondue family proved successful.

In 2010, The Melting Pot Restaurants celebrated its 35th anniversary, opened its first international location in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, signed a seven-unit deal in Mexico and opened its first Mexico location in Mexico City.

Today, with more than 105 locations across 31 U.S states, Canada, and Mexico, and more than 17 locations in development internationally, The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. is the premier fondue restaurant. A leading polished casual dining franchise, The Melting Pot was recognized as the No. 1 casual dining restaurant in the Nation’s Restaurant News 2015 Consumer Picks report.

At The Melting Pot, fondue truly becomes a memorable dining experience where guests can discover all the ingredients for an unforgettable culinary adventure including a relaxed atmosphere, private tables, attentive service, fine wines and signature fondue courses.

The Melting Pot is an affiliate of Front Burner Brands, a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Fla.

Awards

Awards for The Melting Pot

Technomic's Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report - Ranked 193 (2019)

2019 Cheers BevX Award: Best Overall Beverage Program for Best in Glass™

2019 VIBE Vista Awards: Best Beverage Limited-Time Offer for Best in Glass™

2019 VIBE Vista Awards: Best Adult Alcohol-Free Beverage Program

Entrepreneur Magazine ranking as one of the top 500 franchises in 2019. Ranked #253

2019 OpenTable Diners' Choice Awards: Numerous Melting Pot restaurant locations are regularly recognized with Diner's Choice Awards and voted to the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America list by OpenTable Diners.

Trip Advisor ranking as one of the Top U.S. Restaurant Chains for 2019

2018 St. Jude Strategic Partnership Award. The Melting Pot received this award for their annual Thanks and Giving campaign.

Franchise Times ranking as one of the top 200+ franchise chains in 2018

Entrepreneur Magazine ranking as one of the top 200 Food-Based Franchises in 2018. Ranked #11 Full-Service Restaurant Category

Entrepreneur Magazine ranking as one of the top 500 franchises in 2018. Ranked #289

2018 OpenTable Diners' Choice Awards: Numerous Melting Pot restaurant locations are regularly recognized with Diner's Choice Awards and voted to the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America list by OpenTable Diners.

Entrepreneur Magazine ranking as one of the top 200 Food-Based Franchises in 2017. Ranked #17 Full-Service Restaurant Category

Entrepreneur Magazine ranking as one of the top 500 franchises in 2017. Ranked #341

Restaurant Business Top 500: Specialty FSR – Ranked 184 (2017)

One of Franchise Business Review’s Top 40 Food and Beverage Franchises

2017 OpenTable Diners' Choice Awards: Numerous Melting Pot restaurant locations are regularly recognized with Diner's Choice Awards and voted to the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America list by OpenTable Diners.

2016 Menu Masters Award: Best Limited-Time Offer – The Melting Pot Dip into the Summer

2016 VIBE Vista Awards: Best Special Event/Program for its Women & Whiskey Limited-Time Offer

Nation's Restaurant News 2016 Consumer Picks: No. 2 Casual Dining Restaurant

Entrepreneur Magazine ranking as one of the top 500 franchises in 2016. Ranked #457

Restaurant Business Top 500: Specialty FSR – Ranked 175 (2016)

2016 OpenTable Diners' Choice Awards: Numerous Melting Pot restaurant locations are regularly recognized with Diner's Choice Awards and voted to the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America list by OpenTable Diners.

Nation's Restaurant News 2015 Consumer Picks: No. 1 Casual Dining Restaurant

OpenTable Diners' Choice Awards: Numerous Melting Pot restaurant locations are regularly recognized with Diner's Choice Awards and voted to the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America list by OpenTable Diners.

One of FSR Magazine's 2014 Top Franchise Values

Ranked the No. 4 casual dining chain in the Nation’s Restaurant News 2013 Consumer Picks Survey. The Melting Pot also ranked third in the varied menu category and topped the rankings in four attribute categories – cleanliness, service, atmosphere and craveability.

Franchise Business Review 2010 Award – The Franchisee Satisfaction 2010 Award

Ernst & Young 2008 Florida Entrepreneur of the Year. Mark Johnston, Mike Johnston and Bob Johnston were recognized as overall winners for retail and consumer products for Florida, qualifying them for the national competition.

Small Business of the Year for 2008. The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce selected The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. as the overall winner of this award based on the company’s history, philosophy, business management, operational management, innovation, response to adversity and economic conditions, leadership and community contributions.

Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association’s 2008 Hospitality Hall of Fame induction as “Restaurateur of the Year.” Bob Johnston was recognized with this honor as an influential leader in Florida’s hospitality industry.

Franchise Times ranking as one of the top 200 franchise chains in 2008. The Melting Pot earned this spot with nationwide sales of $220 million.

Secret Service Systems award for 2008. The DiJulius Group, a customer service consulting organization, presented this award to The Melting Pot for developing the best service system including ideas, training, implementation, execution and the personalization of each customer’s experience.

Mayor’s award for charitable contributions in 2008. The Melting Pot received this honor for the second consecutive year after receiving the highest marks of all Tampa applicants for community involvement.

“2008 Best Signature Drink of a National Chain Restaurant” – Yin & Yang martini for Cheers Magazine

Wine Spectator Magazine annual wine list awards

Top 400 Restaurant Chains, ranked No. 168 (Restaurants & Institutions, 2007)

The Mayor’s Award for Excellence (2007)

National Corporate Sponsor of the Year – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (2005)

Ten Best Restaurants for Families (Child Magazine, 2004)

2004 Top 50 Growth Chains (Restaurant Business)

Top Franchise (Entrepreneur, since 2000)

Registration

Press Room

Disclaimer

The Melting Pot Logo (Please review the Logo Standards) link opens a PDF

Best In Glass™

Core Beverages*

Fondue Offerings*

Cheese Fondue*

Chocolate Fondue*

Salad*

Girls' Night Out*

Romance*

Double Date*

Friends*

Retail Products and Celebration Packages*

Press releases

In the News

June 5, 2019

April 18, 2019

Feb. 13, 2019

Jan. 22, 2019

Jan. 22, 2019

Dec. 17, 2018

Dec. 12, 2018

Sept. 21, 2018

Sept. 10, 2018

June 14, 2018

April 13, 2018

March 29, 2018

Nov. 21, 2017

Oct. 26, 2017

Sept. 15, 2017

July 10, 2017

June 28, 2017

June 15, 2017

April 30, 2017

March 3, 2017

Feb. 15, 2017

Jan. 26, 2017

Sept 2, 2015

Sept. 2, 2015

July 1, 2015

July 1, 2015

June 2, 2015

June 2015

June 1, 2015

April 30, 2015

April 13, 2015

Feb. 13, 2015

Feb. 5, 2015

Dec. 18, 2014

Nov./Dec. 2014

Nov. 2014

Oct. 2014

Sept. 11, 2014

July 24, 2014

July 15, 2014

July 14, 2014

July 11, 2014

July 2, 2014

July 2, 2014

June 26, 2014

June 25, 2014

April 2014