Media Contact
Heather May
Director of Digital & Creative Marketing
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 and opened its first locations outside of North America in Jakarta, Indonesia and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
2016
The Melting Pot was recognized as the No. 2 casual dining restaurant in the Nation’s Restaurant News 2016 Consumer Picks report.
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.
2020
The Melting Pot celebrated its 45th anniversary.
