The Melt Launches National Franchising Initiative With Enticing Opportunity for Multi-Unit Operators

Following nearly a decade of record performance and operational refinement in more than 20 company-owned restaurants, the premium fast-casual burger brand begins franchise expansion.

LOS ANGELES, April 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Melt, the San Francisco-founded fast-casual brand known for its signature MeltBurger, has officially launched its national franchising efforts. After years of building and refining the concept through more than 20 company-owned restaurants, the brand is now inviting a select group of experienced operators to join its next phase of growth.

The decision follows a period of strong financial performance and stability. In 2025, The Melt generated $58.3 million in corporate revenue. Locations open for more than 1 year averaged $3.4 million in annual sales, with the top third exceeding $4.5 million in average unit volume. The brand's Stanford restaurant saw more than $6 million in annual sales from just 1,900 square feet.

"In order to be a great restaurant company, you have to run great restaurants," said Ralph Bower, CEO of The Melt. "When you own and operate every restaurant before franchising, there's nowhere to hide. You feel every decision in real time, including the labor, food costs and guest experience. That success is what gives us confidence that we're ready to introduce franchising and prepared to scale the right way."

The Melt's leadership team emphasized that franchising is being approached with the same discipline that guided the brand's growth over the past decade.

"We took a very thoughtful approach to franchising The Melt," said Greg Vojnovic, Head of Franchising for The Melt. "Our five-year company plan is centered on strong, aggressive growth in California and Arizona, where we see tremendous opportunity ahead. Franchising also enables us to expand beyond our core markets with exceptional operators who believe in the brand and what we're building. It's an exciting way to accelerate growth, strengthen our footprint, and introduce The Melt to more guests in more places."

According to Vojnovic, the company is taking a methodical approach to franchise development, focusing first on a small group of highly qualified operators who can help shape the system's foundation.

"Our goal is to be measured in how we go to market and bring in the right franchisees," Vojnovic said. "We have an incredible brand that is performing at extraordinary levels, and we want to build a team of the best franchise operators in America to help us grow."

Unlike many emerging restaurant brands that begin franchising early in their lifecycle, The Melt spent 15 years building and perfecting its operating model in company-owned restaurants. Today, the brand operates more than 20 locations, primarily in California, with additional restaurants in Arizona.

The concept's menu centers on the MeltBurger, a signature offering featuring a blend of 100% all-natural Angus and Wagyu beef, chopped with aged cheddar that melts into the burger during cooking. The menu also includes melted sandwiches, crispy chicken, mac & cheese, fries and hand-spun shakes, which are all built around 100% all natural ingredients and a thoughtful, consistent approach in the kitchen.

Operational efficiency has been a focus of the brand's design. Restaurants run with streamlined kitchen systems, limited equipment and efficient footprints, often between 1,900 and 2,300 square feet, while still producing high sales volumes.

"There's no over-engineering," Vojnovic said. "Two clamshell grills, two fryers, two impingers, a shake machine and smart prep. It's a durable, straightforward operating model designed to support high sales and strong profitability."

As the franchising platform launches, The Melt is prioritizing experienced operators who already understand how to run high-performing restaurant businesses. "What's most important to us is building a team of great operators with our first three to five franchisees," Vojnovic said. "We want people who are already multi-unit operators, who have been successful in their systems, who have won system awards, served on franchise advisory councils and are actively involved in their business."

At the heart of The Melt's expansion strategy is the company's defining philosophy: "I Love It Here." The phrase originated from a guest review and has since become the guiding principle behind the brand's hospitality culture.

"I read a review from our Stanford location that simply said, 'I just love it here,'" Bower said. "That became our mission. Every guest. Every visit. Every team member."

Looking ahead, leadership believes the combination of strong unit economics, a differentiated menu and a culture-driven operating approach positions The Melt for sustainable expansion.

"We're not trying to be the biggest brand out there," Bower said. "We're building something that lasts. Something people love."

With its franchising infrastructure now in place, The Melt plans to begin expanding into select markets across the United States through experienced multi-unit franchise partners.

"We have an incredible brand and a tremendous opportunity ahead," Vojnovic said. "But we're going to grow the same way we built the company and that's thoughtfully, methodically and with the right operators leading the way."

For information about franchising with The Melt, visit www.meltfranchising.com.

ABOUT THE MELT
Founded in San Francisco in 2011, The Melt is on a mission to serve the world's meltiest, most craveable comfort food—made entirely with 100% all-natural ingredients and no artificial additives, ever. Best known for its signature MeltBurger—a bold blend of premium Angus and Wagyu beef, topped with aged cheddar, house-made pickle-jalapeño mix and served on a toasted artisan bun—The MeltBurger delivers unforgettable flavor in every bite. The menu features juicy MeltBurgers, toasty grilled melts, crispy buttermilk-brined chicken, creamy mac & cheese, skin-on fries seasoned with custom Melt Spice and thick, hand-spun shakes. Every item on the menu is made with real, high-quality ingredients you can feel good about. Recognized as one of the Top 20 Fast Casual Restaurants for Guest Satisfaction by Nation's Restaurant News and a Top 50 Brand in Fast Casual's 2025 Top 100 Movers & Shakers, The Melt is rapidly becoming a standout in the fast casual space. With industry-leading sales comps and double-digit year-over-year growth, the brand is expanding quickly—including recent openings in Arizona and Davis, California. Whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth, The Melt delivers bold flavors, feel-good vibes and warm hospitality that keeps guests saying, "I love it here." Learn more at www.themelt.com or follow @TheMelt on social media.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Chad Cohen
Mainland
[email protected]
312.526.3996

SOURCE The Melt