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Tampa,
FL – October 2024 / NewsmakerAlert:
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. In addition to these internal celebrations, the
brand was also ranked No. 235 on the Franchise Times Top 400 list,
the most comprehensive ranking of the 400 largest U.S.-based
franchise systems, thanks to its strong systemwide sales performance.
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“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
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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?
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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.
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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.
About
Melting Pot
Founded
in 1975, Melting Pot has offered
a unique fondue dining experience for more than 45 years. As the premier
fondue restaurant franchise, Melting Pot has 92 restaurants in 31 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. Melting Pot is an affiliate
of Front Burner Brands, a restaurant management company headquartered in
Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit www.MeltingPot.com.
To learn more about franchise opportunities with Melting Pot, please visit
www.MeltingPotFranchise.com.
About
Front Burner
Headquartered
in Tampa, Front Burner
is the restaurant management company for Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc.,
and the new casual whimsical dining concept Melting Pot Social! Melting
Pot currently has 92 restaurants in 31 U.S. states and Canada. Melting
Pot Social opened its first location in July 2021 in Asheville, NC.
For more information, visit www.FrontBurnerBrands.com.
Media
Contact:
Carmen
Murillo
Senior
Director of Marketing
The
Melting Pot
LinkedIn |
