THE MELTING POT
The Melting Pot franchise allows operators to establish and run polished casual restaurants specializing in fondue dining, featuring cheese fondue, beef, chicken, seafood, and vegetable fondues, chocolate fondue, salads, breads, and a variety of imported and domestic beers, wines, and cocktails, with guests cooking some items at the table for an interactive experience. The business model centers on franchising single-location restaurants that follow the company's proprietary system, standards, designs, menus, and Core Beverage Program requiring alcoholic beverages. It targets individual consumers and the general public seeking relaxed, conversational dining in a unique ambiance.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
5% royalty + 1.19% brand development fund + $650/mo accounting (first year) + $150/mo WEI + $10-13/mo gift card & comments software + ~$50/mo e-learning
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: Data for 91 franchised restaurants open a full 12 months ending fiscal year March 31, 2024, segmented into top, middle, and bottom thirds. Also includes data for 2 company-owned restaurants (not used for average_gross_revenue calculation).
* Weighted average gross revenue calculated from segmented data for 91 franchised restaurants: (30 units × $3,466,619 + 30 units × $2,133,931 + 31 units × $1,501,275) / 91 total units = $2,357,758.52. Note that the overall 'Average AUV' stated in the table for 'Total Restaurants' (91 units) is $2,501,804, which differs from the calculated weighted average of its segments. Revenue Top Quartile is the average of the Top Third segment. Revenue Bottom Quartile is the average of the Bottom Third segment. No net income, net profit, EBITDA, or overall operating expense data was provided for the franchised restaurants to estimate profit ranges. Only 'Average Cost of Food and Beverages Sold as Percentage of Yearly Gross Revenues' (24.7%) for 3 restaurants in 2023 was mentioned, which is not sufficient or directly applicable to the main 2024 franchised revenue data to make a reasonable profit estimation.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How THE MELTING POT Compares to Other Casual Dining Franchises
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
THE MELTING POT Current | $1.4M - $2.1M | $45K | 5.0% | 87 |
| IHOP & INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES | $1.8M - $4.5M | $69K | N/A | 1,703 |
| BUFFALO WILD WINGS | $2.5M - $4.9M | $25K | 5.0% | 538 |
| GOLDEN CORRAL STEAKS, BUFFET & BAKERY | $2.1M - $8.5M | $50K | 4.0% | 352 |
| GOLDEN CORRAL | $2.2M - $8.7M | $50K | 4.0% | 348 |
| ORIGINAL PANCAKE HOUSE (THE) | $483K - $1.7M | $60K | 2.0% | 146 |
Casual Dining Average 43 franchises | $1.6M - $3.6M | $44K | 4.6% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 43 Casual Dining franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2024)
Outlets by state across the United States
+16 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for THE MELTING POT franchisees (2010 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
No litigation involving franchisees reported in the FDD.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a THE MELTING POT franchise?
The total initial investment to open a THE MELTING POT franchise ranges from $1,364,514 to $2,069,764. This includes a franchise fee of $45,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 5.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a THE MELTING POT franchise make?
According to the 2024 FDD, the average gross revenue for a THE MELTING POT franchise is $2,357,758.52. The median revenue is $2,102,108.
How many THE MELTING POT franchise locations are there?
As of the 2024 FDD, THE MELTING POT has 87 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1984.
Can you get an SBA loan for a THE MELTING POT franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for THE MELTING POT franchises. Historical data shows 35 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for THE MELTING POT franchisees, with an average loan amount of $869,083. The historical default rate is 2.9%.
Is THE MELTING POT a good franchise to buy?
THE MELTING POT shows several positive indicators: transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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