The Melting Pot Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)
Fondue restaurant franchise offering a unique dining experience with a variety of cheese, chocolate, and meat fondues, promoting social dining and indulgence.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
92
+
-2%
-2%
Franchise fee
?
$45,000
Investment
?
$1,364,000 - $2,070,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$2,203,000
+
n.a.
n.a.
Upgrade
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
The initial investment required for a The Melting Pot franchise is
$1,364,000 - $2,070,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance 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
Create a free account to access this table and more. For more information see our plans here.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
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
Below is The Melting Pot's 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
The Melting Pot had 95 total units in 2023, of which 92 were franchised-owned and 3 company-owned.
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.
.png)
.png)
