Melting Pot Eyes Canadian Expansion From Edmonton Hub

The Melting Pot, a 50-year-old American fondue institution, is finally ready to expand north of the border in earnest — and it's eyeing Calgary as the next target.

The Orlando-born chain, which operates over 90 locations across the U.S., has held a lone Canadian outpost in Edmonton for more than a decade. Now franchise growth strategist Collin Benyo is actively hunting for partners to plant the brand's second Canadian flag — likely in Calgary, where proximity to Edmonton could leverage existing brand awareness.

"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," Benyo told Dished. The logic is simple: Canada's climate and food culture naturally suit fondue's cozy, social dining experience.

The Melting Pot's appeal lies in theatrical customization. Diners select their cheese or chocolate of choice and choose cooking methods for entrées, transforming a meal into a four-course interactive experience. It's a format that translates well to Canada's dinner-out culture — part restaurant, part performance.

No formal agreements are in place yet, but the company is actively scouting locations. If Calgary materializes, it would mark a significant shift from the brand's Canadian dormancy. The Edmonton location has proven the concept works north of the border; now it's just a matter of finding the right franchise partner and real estate in a growing prairie market.