RISE - Menu Monitor

Melting Pot
Headquarters
8810 Twin Lakes Blvd., Tampa, Florida 33614 USA
Tel: (813)881-0055 Fax: (813)889-9361
www.meltingpot.com
Ownership: Private
Segment: Full Service Other
System Characteristics 2006 2005 2004
U.S. Systemwide Sales ($000) 191,500 163,000 129,000
Company-owned ($000) 9,500 5,800 5,500
Franchised ($000) 182,000 157,200 123,500
U.S. Number of Units 106 101 85
Company-owned 6 4 4
Franchised 100 97 81
International Sales ($000) - - -
International Units - - -
Average Sales/Unit ($000) 1,850 1,785 1,685
Concept Positioning |
The Melting Pot is a full-service fondue restaurant that offers a polished-casual experience with attentive servers (who staff
only two or three tables at a time) as well as multi-course meals and an adherence to quality. The privately held chain
operates 106 units across the U.S., only six of which are company-owned.
Units are freestanding and seat 155–180. The décor is contemporary and intimate.
Started in 1975 in Maitland, FL, the Melting Pot survived the decline of interest in fondue in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In
1986, brothers Mark and Bob Johnston acquired the company. Though The Melting Pot was a relatively simple concept when
it opened—its menu consisted of three items—the Johnstons repositioned the restaurant into a more upscale concept with
more to offer customers in terms of menu selection and entertainment. Its current growth is being achieved through
franchising.
Menu Positioning |
The Melting Pot serves dinner, only, offering a decadent menu served in a high-end atmosphere. The menu is divided into four
categories—cheese fondue, salads, entrées and desserts. Signature item is the fondue—available in a variety of combinations
of sauces, meats, breads and desserts. Fondues include traditional cheese, Gorgonzola, Emmenthaler Swiss garlic Dijon
butter, Thai peanut,. Entrées include Teriyaki Sirloin, Breast of Chicken, Shrimp and Sirloin, Twin Lobster Tails, The
Vegetarian and Seafood Trio. Desserts include chocolate fondues with a choice of strawberries, bananas, pineapple,
cheesecake, nutty marshmallows, pound cake and brownies, to be dipped in a choice of eight chocolate fondues. Full liquor
service is available. Menu prices range from $19–$88. Checks average $21.
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