The Melting Pot

The Melting Pot Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Fondue restaurant franchise offering a unique dining experience with a variety of cheese, chocolate, and meat fondues, promoting social dining and indulgence.

The Melting Pot is a chain of franchised casual dining restaurants based in Tampa, Florida. The restaurant's journey began in 1975 when it was founded in Maitland, Florida. Initially, the menu was simple, offering just three items: Swiss cheese fondue, beef fondue, and a chocolate fondue dessert.

Over the years, the menu has expanded significantly to include a variety of salads, meat entrees, chicken, pasta, and seafood, providing a comprehensive fondue dining experience.

In 1979, brothers Mark, Mike, and Bob Johnston opened a Melting Pot location in Tallahassee with the owners' permission. By 1985, they had acquired full rights to The Melting Pot brand and established The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. This marked the beginning of a new era for the brand.

Since then, The Melting Pot has grown its presence through franchising, offering a unique dining experience that focuses on communal cooking and dining. The brand is known for its interactive dining style where guests can cook their meals at the table, making it a popular choice for special occasions and social gatherings.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount (Low) Amount (High)
Initial Franchise Fee $45,000 $45,000
Real Estate Services Fee $2,500 $2,500
Real Estate (Rent – First 3 months) $28,500 $81,250
Security Deposit $0 $22,916
Leasehold Improvements $602,110 $963,445
Computer and Point of Sales Hardware/Software $25,000 $25,000
Computer Software Installation and Training; First Year Subscription $8,900 $15,000
Gift Card Processing and Website Development/Enhancement Fee (3 months) $677 $747
Restaurant Equipment, Furniture, Fixtures and Signage $438,826 $572,482
Utility Deposits $2,000 $5,000
Opening Inventory and Supplies $65,000 $75,000
Grand Opening Advertising $15,000 $20,000
Training Expenses $31,026 $68,299
Licenses – Alcoholic Beverages, Business and Health $6,000 $10,000
Insurance $3,000 $6,000
Legal $2,000 $6,000
Accounting Firm (3 months) $2,100 $2,500
Reservation System (3 months) $1,750 $3,500
Additional Funds (3 months) $85,000 $145,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment Under the Franchise Program $1,364,389 $2,069,638

Franchise Disclosure Document

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Competitors

Below are some of

The Melting Pot

key competitors in the

Other Food

sector.

Started franchising
Franchisees

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Franchise fee

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Royalty fee

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Investment

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Revenue (AUV)

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Gross Profit

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EBITDA

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Home-based

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Passive investment

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FDD
The Melting Pot
1984
92
+
-2%
-2%
$45,000
5.00%

$1,364,000

-

$2,070,000

n.a.

$2,203,000

Upgrade

75.3%

n.a.

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n.a.

n.a.

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No
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No
No
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No
1993
27
+
4%
4%
$30,000
7.00%

$242,000

-

$829,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

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n.a.

n.a.

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2022
18
+
n.a.
n.a.
$50,000
5% - 6%

$1,539,000

-

$4,819,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$2,889,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
Upgrade
Upgrade
2020
44
+
159%
159%
$30,000
5.00%

$197,000

-

$405,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

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2011
276
+
n.a.
n.a.
$50,000
30% - 40%

$62,000

-

$327,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

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2019
16
+
700%
700%
$35,000
6.00%

$258,000

-

$516,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$558,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
No
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No
2020
6
+
200%
200%
$59,500
4% - 6%

$429,000

-

$723,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$1,591,000

45.7%

n.a.

Upgrade

8.9%

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
Yes
Upgrade
Yes

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$49 / month
Total investment

?

Revenue (AUV)

?

Revenue growth (last 3 years)

?

Profit margin

?

Franchise Disclosure Documents
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?

Priority support

?

A comprehensive and transparent look at franchising finances. The inclusion of profit margins and disclosure documents offers insights you can’t find elsewhere. Essential for anyone considering a franchise investment.

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Training 

The Melting Pot provides an extensive training program designed to equip franchisees with the essential knowledge and skills needed to successfully operate their restaurant.

Training Program Overview

This program incorporates diverse learning methods to ensure thorough preparation.

Mandatory Attendees

A minimum of five individuals are required to attend and complete the initial training program. This group must include the franchisee's Operating Principal, the General Manager, and between two to four members of the franchisee’s management team, depending on the restaurant's size.

Training Curriculum

The program covers a broad range of topics, including:

  • Sales techniques
  • Product orientation
  • Accounting procedures
  • Food preparation
  • Operations management

Territory Protection

Franchisees are granted an exclusive territory, referred to as the "Territory." Within this Territory, franchisees have the sole right to operate a MELTING POT® Restaurant and utilize the MELTING POT® system.

The size and boundaries of the Territory are determined based on the total population within a specific geographical area. The Territory's dimensions can vary, with different radius measurements depending on population density.

The Melting Pot pledges not to establish any other MELTING POT® Restaurants, whether franchised or company-owned, within the designated Territory. Additionally, they will not open any other food establishments that serve fondue products prepared at the table or feature fondue products as a significant menu item outside the Territory under the MELTING POT® brand.

Number of units

2023
Franchised units

94

93

92

Company-owned units

2

3

3

Total units

96

96

95

Competitors

Potato Corner

Franchisees

?

27
+
4%
4%
Investment

?

$242,000 - $829,000

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill

Franchisees

?

18
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$1,539,000 - $4,819,000

Shah's Halal

Franchisees

?

44
+
159%
159%
Investment

?

$197,000 - $405,000

Yummi Go Gourmet

Franchisees

?

276
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$62,000 - $327,000

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Revenue (AUV)

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