M elting Pot Restaurant
Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching M elting Pot Restaurant franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
The Melting Pot franchises operate restaurants featuring fondue and serving a variety of food and beverages, including alcoholic beverages. Restaurants use The Melting Pot name and business system.
Headline figures
M elting Pot Restaurant quick facts
- Is M elting Pot Restaurant a franchise?
- Yes. M elting Pot Restaurant offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2025, it reported 85 franchised and 4 company-owned outlets (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 57).
- How much does it cost to open an M elting Pot Restaurant franchise?
- The M elting Pot Restaurant Franchise Disclosure Document reports an estimated initial investment of $1,617,128–$2,740,600 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 23). This is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- What ongoing fees does M elting Pot Restaurant charge?
- The disclosed ongoing royalty is 5% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 15). The brand or advertising fund contribution is 2.2% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 15). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
- Does M elting Pot Restaurant disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The M elting Pot Restaurant FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 56). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How many M elting Pot Restaurant locations are there?
- The FDD reports 89 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 57). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
- Is M elting Pot Restaurant a good franchise to buy?
- Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: Item 19 includes financial performance figures; check which locations and period they cover; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 includes a brand or advertising fund contribution on top of royalty; Item 20 also lists current and former franchisees you can contact. Review the full FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant before deciding.
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
What the disclosures show
- 1Opening costs are estimated at $1,617,128 – $2,740,600 in the 2026 FDD (Item 7); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 covers 10 separate groups: costs for 4 locations; costs for 4 locations; other measures for 2 locations; other measures for 28 locations; other measures for 4 locations; other measures for 2 locations; other measures for 28 locations; other measures for 28 locations; other measures for 29 locations; other measures for 85 locations. They are not combined.
- 3Outlets declined by 3 in 2025, to 89 (Domestic/U.S. systemwide; table footnote says company-owned outlets owned by shareholders/officers/affiliates, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
M elting Pot Restaurant head-to-head
Closest peers in the same subcategory, side by side from reviewed FDD figures. Not a ranking or recommendation.
Costs · Items 5–7
What does it cost to open?
Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.
Startup Investment — Item 7
Total estimated initial investment
2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 23
Ongoing Fees — Item 6
Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.
- Royalty and Service Fee: 5% of Gross RevenuesMain ongoing fee
30 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.
Financial Performance — Item 19
What results are disclosed—and for which locations?
10 separate populations, shown apart. Revenue is not owner income.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Costs · 4 locations
- Who is counted
- Company-Owned Restaurants; food and beverage costs as a percentage of yearly gross revenues for fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
- Period
- Average food/beverage cost as % of yearly gross revenues
- Excluded
- No additional exclusions stated for this cost table.
- Method
- Historical Item 19 data for fiscal year ended March 31, 2025; see pages 55–56.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Costs · 4 locations
- Who is counted
- Company-owned restaurants; fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
- Period
- Median food/beverage cost as % of yearly gross revenues
- Excluded
- No additional exclusions stated for this cost table.
- Method
- Historical Item 19 data for fiscal year ended March 31, 2025; see pages 55–56.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 2 locations
- Who is counted
- Company-Owned Restaurants, Top Half, full 12-month fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
- Period
- Average AUV
- Excluded
- Top Half subgroup of the four Company Owned Restaurants; no additional exclusions stated.
- Method
- Historical Item 19 data for fiscal year ended March 31, 2025; see pages 55–56.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 28 locations
- Who is counted
- Franchised Restaurants, Top Third, full 12-month fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
- Period
- Average AUV
- Excluded
- Three franchised restaurants that did not operate for the full fiscal year because they ceased operations during the 2025 reporting period were excluded.
- Method
- Historical Item 19 data for fiscal year ended March 31, 2025; see pages 55–56.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 4 locations
- Who is counted
- Company-Owned Restaurants, Total Restaurants, open a full 12 months through fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
- Period
- Average AUV
- Excluded
- Four Company Owned Restaurants operated for the full 12 months; no additional exclusions stated.
- Method
- Historical Item 19 data for fiscal year ended March 31, 2025; see pages 55–56.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 2 locations
- Who is counted
- Company-Owned Restaurants, Bottom Half, full 12-month fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
- Period
- Average AUV
- Excluded
- Bottom Half subgroup of the four Company Owned Restaurants; no additional exclusions stated.
- Method
- Historical Item 19 data for fiscal year ended March 31, 2025; see pages 55–56.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 28 locations
- Who is counted
- Franchised Restaurants Top Third, restaurants open a full 12 months through fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
- Period
- Lowest AUV
- Excluded
- Three franchised restaurants not open for the full 2025 fiscal year because they ceased operations during the reporting period were excluded; no additional subgroup exclusions stated.
- Method
- Historical Item 19 data for fiscal year ended March 31, 2025; see pages 55–56.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 28 locations
- Who is counted
- Franchised Restaurants Middle Third, restaurants open a full 12 months through fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
- Period
- Average AUV
- Excluded
- Three franchised restaurants not open for the full 2025 fiscal year because they ceased operations during the reporting period were excluded; no additional subgroup exclusions stated.
- Method
- Historical Item 19 data for fiscal year ended March 31, 2025; see pages 55–56.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 29 locations
- Who is counted
- Franchised Restaurants Bottom Third, restaurants open a full 12 months through fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
- Period
- Average AUV
- Excluded
- Three franchised restaurants not open for the full 2025 fiscal year because they ceased operations during the reporting period were excluded; no additional subgroup exclusions stated.
- Method
- Historical Item 19 data for fiscal year ended March 31, 2025; see pages 55–56.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Other measures · 85 locations
- Who is counted
- Franchised Restaurants, Total Restaurants, open a full 12 months through fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
- Period
- Lowest AUV
- Excluded
- Three franchised restaurants that were not open the entire fiscal year because they ceased operations during the 2025 reporting period were excluded.
- Method
- Historical Item 19 data for fiscal year ended March 31, 2025; see pages 55–56.
These groups are never combined.
Outlet Changes — Item 20
How has the outlet count changed?
Domestic/U.S. systemwide; table footnote says company-owned outlets owned by shareholders/officers/affiliates, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of Year ending March 31 of year shown of each year.
2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 57
Net −4 outlets, 2023–2025
Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero, so the line looks nearly flat; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2025 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.
Questions to investigate
Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.
For the franchisor
Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($1,617,128 – $2,740,600) vary most by market, and why?
Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?
Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?
Reported units decreased from 92 to 89 in 2025. What drove the change?
Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?
For current and former owners
How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?
How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?
How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?
What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?
For your advisors
Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.
Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.
Sources & vintage history
Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.
Citations (2026 FDD)
- [1]Estimated initial investment — Item 7 · PDF p. 23
- [2]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-Owned Restaurants; food and beverage costs as a percentage of yearly gr… · PDF p. 56
- [3]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-owned restaurants; fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. · PDF p. 56
- [4]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-Owned Restaurants, Top Half, full 12-month fiscal year ended March 31,… · PDF p. 56
- [5]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised Restaurants, Top Third, full 12-month fiscal year ended March 31, 20… · PDF p. 55
- [6]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-Owned Restaurants, Total Restaurants, open a full 12 months through fis… · PDF p. 56
- [7]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Company-Owned Restaurants, Bottom Half, full 12-month fiscal year ended March 3… · PDF p. 56
- [8]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised Restaurants Top Third, restaurants open a full 12 months through fis… · PDF p. 55
- [9]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised Restaurants Middle Third, restaurants open a full 12 months through… · PDF p. 55
- [10]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised Restaurants Bottom Third, restaurants open a full 12 months through… · PDF p. 55
- [11]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record — Franchised Restaurants, Total Restaurants, open a full 12 months through fiscal… · PDF p. 55
- [12]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 57
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page.
Territory & operations
These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.
Legal & agreement
Franchisor financial statements
No verified franchisor financial statement figures have been reviewed yet.
SBA-backed loans to franchisees
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Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.
Related research
Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format and overlapping investment range. This is not a ranking or recommendation.
The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc.
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IHOP International House of Pancakes
Peets CoffeeHead-to-head comparisons
At a glance
Business history
Not reviewed
Owner participation
Not reviewed
Territory language
Litigation disclosure
Not reviewed
Bankruptcy disclosure
Not reviewed
Agreement term
Not reviewed
Reader notes on wording
Our automated check found that these summaries may not match the FDD's exact wording. Read the FDD excerpt itself; it is the authoritative text. Core cost, fee, Item 19 and outlet figures are not affected.
Item 12 · PDF p. 44 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Territory definition: circle radius is 8 miles below 1.75 million population; 5 miles at or above 1.75 million and below 2.75 million; for 2.75 million or more, no greater than less than five miles, potentially irregularly shaped.
“The Territory will be defined based upon the total population, as determined by our then current third-party vendor demographics software, within the entire geographical area within a circle with a radius of 10 miles (diameter of 20 miles) and its center located at the designated location (the “Circle”) as follows: (a) if the population within the Circle is less than 1.75 million people then the Territory will be the entire geographical area within a circle with a radius of 8 miles and its center located at the designated location; (b) if the population within the Circle is equal to or greater than 1.75 million people and less than 2.75 million people then the Territory will be the entire geographical area within a circle with a radius of 5 miles and its center located at the designated location; and (c) if the population within the Circle is equal to or greater than 2.75 million people then the Territory will be (i) no greater than the geographical area within a circle with a radius of less than five miles and its center located at the designated location, and (ii) it may be an irregularly shaped area defined by political subdivisions, bodies of water, streets and highways or distances.”
Note: Supplied quote could not be confirmed on the cited PDF page excerpt.
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.
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