The Melting Pot Announces Aggressive Expansion Plans for North America

TAMPA, Fla., April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., the world's premier fondue restaurant franchise, announced plans today to expand its footprint in select markets throughout the U.S. and Canada. Domestically, the company is looking to recruit new franchisees in cities such as Anchorage, Alaska, Little Rock, Ark., Fresno, Calif., Hartford, Conn., Des Moines, Iowa, New York City, Chattanooga, Tenn., Charleston, S.C., and Portland, Maine, as well as Houston and El Paso, Texas. On the international front, The Melting Pot is focusing its expansion efforts in cities across Canada, including Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver.

"This new growth strategy demonstrates the strength of The Melting Pot brand and would not be possible without having a solid foundation of successful owners in place," said Mike Lester, president of The Melting Pot. "With nearly 30 years of experience in franchising, The Melting Pot is a proven concept that provides franchisees with the tools and support needed to help them achieve success. We look forward to bringing The Melting Pot to more cities across North America and are confident that our one-of-a-kind, customized fondue experience will be well-received."

As part of the brand's aggressive growth plan, The Melting Pot is also offering interested candidates the opportunity to purchase existing restaurants with established customer bases in additional markets across the country. The fondue franchise expects to sign a number of new franchise agreements before the end of 2014 and open at least four new restaurants by 2015.

"The Melting Pot has been the premier fondue restaurant of choice for nearly 40 years," added Lester. "Our proven business model and simple operations combined with strong average unit volumes are just a few reasons why The Melting Pot is an attractive investment opportunity for entrepreneurs. There truly has never been a better time to consider a Melting Pot franchise."

Most recently, The Melting Pot made a strong showing in the 2014 Nation's Restaurant News Consumer Picks Survey ranking sixth out of 38 concepts in the casual dining segment. In the varied menu/specialty sub-segment of the casual dining industry, The Melting Pot ranked first in cleanliness, service and likelihood to recommend. Overall in the casual dining segment, the brand ranked second in cleanliness, second in service and fourth in likelihood to recommend.

"We are proud that The Melting Pot is recognized as a leader in customer service and overall customer experience in the recent NRN Consumer Picks Survey," added Lester. "Since implementing a new menu in early 2013 designed to increase guest's dining frequency and value perception of the brand, we are pleased to report that our customer satisfaction ratings are strong and guests are returning more frequently, as seen in our most recent Melting Pot consumer insights study."

The Melting Pot, which operates more than 135 restaurants in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and has more than 25 locations in development internationally, is the world's premier fondue restaurant franchise. The concept is known for offering an assortment of flavorful fondue-cooking styles and a variety of unique entrées served with signature dipping sauces. In addition, the menu offers creamy cheese fondues, fresh salads, fine wines and decadent chocolate fondue desserts.

The Melting Pot is seeking entrepreneurs with business backgrounds and/or restaurant experience who are passionate about the brand and want to be their own bosses. Franchisee candidates should have a credit score of 650 or higher, a minimum net worth of $750,000 and liquid assets of at least $325,000 per unit. Depending on the real estate site selected, franchisees can expect the total investment for one restaurant to be approximately $970,195 to $1,417,195. Single-unit and multi-unit franchise opportunities are available with an initial franchise fee of $45,000 per unit.

To learn more about ownership opportunities with The Melting Pot, contact Ashley Pollard, franchise development manager for The Melting Pot, at 800-783-0867 ext. 152 or [email protected] or visit www.meltingpotfranchise.com.

About The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. 
With more than 135 restaurants in North America, existing locations across 35 states, Canada and Mexico and more than 25 locations currently in development, The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. is the premier fondue restaurant franchise. Founded in 1975, The Melting Pot continues to be a memorable dining experience. Guests enjoy a choice of fondue cooking styles and a variety of unique entrées combined with dipping sauces. The menu also includes cheese fondues, salads, fine wines and chocolate fondue desserts. The Melting Pot is an affiliate of Front Burner Brands, a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Fla. For more information, visit http://www.meltingpot.com.

About Front Burner Brands
Front Burner Brands is a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Fla. It is affiliated with the corporate owners of and its management services extended to The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., founded in 1975 with more than 135 locations in North America and more than 25 locations currently in development, Burger 21 with 12 locations open in Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia, and 19 in development in six states, GrillSmith with six locations in the Tampa Bay area and other new franchise concepts in development. For more information, visit http://www.frontburnerbrands.com.

CONTACT:    Elayne Sommers Fish Consulting 
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SOURCE The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc.