The Melting Pot Eyes Canadian Expansion From Calgary

The Melting Pot, the beloved Florida-born fondue chain with more than 90 U.S. locations, is finally ready to expand north. After operating just one Canadian outpost in Edmonton for over a decade, the restaurant is actively scouting its next location—and Calgary is looking like a strong contender.

Founded in 1975, The Melting Pot built its cult following on customizable four-course fondue experiences: cheese course, salad, entrée (where diners pick their cooking method—oil, broth, or wine), and chocolate dessert. Every component is tailored to the table's preferences. It's less fine dining, more interactive theater. The vibe is celebration and indulgence.

Collin Benyo, the chain's franchise growth strategist, told Dished the timing just clicked for Canadian expansion. "We sell cheese fondue in Orlando, Florida," he said, "so why we couldn't do it in a beautiful country like Canada, which probably aligns with that culinary style a little bit more. It just makes sense right now to make that move."

Calgary's appeal is proximity to Edmonton—the brand already has awareness there, and Benyo sees it as "a very strong market that, with the right strategic partner, we could find some very good success." No agreements are finalized yet, but the conversation is clearly active. For fondue fans in Toronto (and Torontonians planning road trips), this is a reminder that specialty restaurant concepts are slowly creeping into the Canadian mainstream. The question isn't if The Melting Pot comes to other Canadian cities—it's when.