A unique fondue dining experience could be coming to Lubbock in 2025, if a franchisee can be found.

The Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant franchise that started in Florida in 1975, recently identified Lubbock as one of the cities it would like to expand into by 2027.

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"Lubbock shows up with our demographics as an area that just makes sense," said Collin Benyo, The Melting Pot Franchise Growth Strategist. "I think it's an area that Melting Pot could do well in, and it checked all of our boxes."

The Melting Pot has 94 locations across 31 states, with six of those locations in Texas. The Florida-based franchise's main experience is a four-course fondue dinner, which includes a Wisconsin made cheese fondue, a salad course, the entrée course, and ending with a chocolate fondue. Everything is made table-side with an array of options in each course.

Benyo's favorite selections include the Alpine Swiss cheese fondue, the Caesar Salad, duck and lobster for the entrée, and the classic milk chocolate and peanut butter fondue.

"As far as franchise opportunities go for fondue, we don't have competition," Benyo said. "Our competition is within the spectrum of where people choose to celebrate their milestones and achievements. Our slogan is to give every quest the perfect night out."

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With an average ticket price of $55 per person, the franchise markets itself as a celebratory location. Benyo formerly ran a location in Florida, which hosted a wedding. He mentioned their customers tend to return for birthdays, promotions, date nights, and other highlights of their lives.

"A lot of people don't know that we're a franchise, because we just become a part of the community, where people take their kids for birthdays, their loved ones for anniversaries," Benyo said. "We become a part of their own story."

In order to become part of Lubbock's story, The Melting Pot needs a franchisee who is people-oriented and understand the bigger picture versus the day-to-day. Potential franchisees can also visit meltingpotfranchise.com, or call 813-425-6209.

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"When it comes to franchising opportunities, there's a lot of options," Benyo said. "But when you are picking something to invest money into, the question is, is it something that you trust, that you believe in? Something that has systems in place that have been proven right? We wouldn't have been around for close to 50 years if we didn't."

Franchisees will have help throughout the process, from design to operations, and will continue to receive support with a franchise business consultant. Once a franchisee has signed an agreement, it takes about a year and a half to get the doors open at a new location.

As of May 8, 2023, the franchise's Texas locations include Arlington, Austin, Dallas-Addison, El Paso, Houston and San Antonio. The franchise hopes to add more locations to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Houston, and San Antonio.

People can find The Melting Pot online at meltingpot.com.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: The Melting Pot fondue franchise eyes Lubbock, seeks franchisee