By: Kelsey Winchester

History The first Melting Pot opened in April of 1975 in Maitland, Fla. - just

outside of Orlando. It was a cozy, quaint location and its first menu consisted of just three items: Swiss cheese fondue, beef fondue and a chocolate fondue dessert. However, as the restaurant's popularity expanded, so did its menu and ambiance.

Mark Johnston, who was working his way through college as a waiter at The Melting Pot, noticed the popularity boost and - with the help of his brothers Mike and Bob - scraped together funding to open The Melting Pot of Tallahassee in 1979 (with the blessing of the original owners in Maitland... of course). The Tallahassee location grew enormously popular, and within one year its success paved the way for future franchise expansion.

In 1980, the Johnston brothers decided to branch out and opened their second location in Tampa. As their business grew, the brothers began to consider franchising even more stores in order to expand. Then in 1985 Mark, Mike and Bob Johnston purchased all rights to The Melting Pot brand and established The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc. - the new franchise company. After a year of research and reorganization, The Melting Pot Restaurants Inc. began its franchise offering.

Locationshttp://maps.google.com/maps/ms?

ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=35.38905,-79.277344&spn=4.423955,7.03125&z=7&msid=114341238001501949066.00046476c682a8d2451b6

Starting: CapitalCost of startup (Total Investment)- $876.7K-

1.5MFranchise Fee- $35KRoyalty Fees- 4.5%

Starting: Training and Support Training

Available at headquarters: 7 weeks Available at franchisee's location

Ongoing SupportNewsletter

Meetings Toll-free phone line Grand opening Internet Security/safety procedures Field operations/evaluations Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing SupportCo-op advertising

National media

Other marketing supportLocal marketing & media planning services

ProductsThe menu includes…

Location

RankingsRankingsFranchise 500® rank:

#203 (2009); #201 (2008); #199 (2007); #211 (2006); #227 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:2009;

America's Top Global Franchises:#157 (2009); #175 (2008);

CompetitorsEl Cerro-The advantages we have over El Cerro is our

menu is a wider range and our name is known from around the world.

El Senor-The advantages we have over El Senor is their

whole menu is not fondue (we specialize in fondue) and we are better known.