The Melting Pot Eyes Canadian Expansion From Its Edmonton Base
Iconic fondue chain, operating one location in Edmonton for over a decade, signals serious plans to grow across Canada.
There's only one Melting Pot in all of Canada, and it's been sitting quietly in Edmonton for more than a decade. That's about to change.
The U.S. fondue chain—operating 90+ locations stateside since 1975—is now actively plotting its Canadian expansion, and Edmonton's existing outpost is proving the concept works north of the border. Collin Benyo, the chain's franchise growth strategist, told Dished that the timing finally feels right: "We sell cheese fondue in Orlando, Florida so why we couldn't do it in a beautiful country like Canada, which probably aligns with that culinary style a little bit more."
For those unfamiliar with the brand, The Melting Pot is all about customization and tableside theater. You pick your cheese or chocolate, choose your cooking method for the entrée, and the whole experience becomes interactive—part dinner, part ritual. It's social dining at its core, which explains its cult following in the U.S. and its longevity in Edmonton's casual-dining scene.
Calgary is the obvious next target. "Because of the proximity of Calgary to Edmonton, I think what we're going to find are people who are perhaps familiar with the brand," Benyo explained. "So I think Calgary, for me, is a very strong market that, with the right strategic partner, we could find some very good success." No deals are locked in yet—the company is still in the hunting phase, talking to potential franchise partners. But the momentum is real. After more than a decade of flying solo in Canada, The Melting Pot's ready to prove fondue isn't a novelty—it's a category waiting to expand. If Calgary comes next, expect other prairie cities to follow.