Melt Shop, pioneers of the melted sandwich movement, announced Thursday the launch of its domestic and international franchise program. Founded by Spencer Rubin in 2011, Melt Shop has eight corporate locations—in New York, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis and is seeking experienced entrepreneurs to help the brand grow to 100 locations over the next five years across the U.S. and internationally. Melt Shop recently expanded into the Middle East and will open seven locations in the region, with four opening in Kuwait by March 2018.
“Melt Shop has spent the last six years tirelessly perfecting our brand and business model. The timing is right to bring our New York-born fast casual concept to the world,” says Josh Morgan, Operating Partner of Aurify Brands, Melt Shop’s parent company. “Melted sandwiches possess the unique ability to be instantly recognizable and familiar in any market and we see immense potential to grow through franchising. It’s a strong investment opportunity for entrepreneurs excited about being part of a franchise concept’s early growth story. This is just the beginning.”
Melt Shop’s focus is simple: melted sandwiches made with high-quality ingredients. Its bread is freshly-baked daily and its high-quality cheese is sourced from meticulously selected dairies. But Melt Shop does more than create melted sandwich masterpieces—it creates a culinary experience unmatched in the fast-casual space. The food unlocks the feelings, memories and moments that bring people joy. It’s a reminder of the good, simple, carefree things in life. While the end-result may appear timeless, the product and processes have been meticulously refined for more than six years.
“All the details have been choreographed to perfection so our product and experience are best-in-class. We’ve honed all of it—the food, the people, the business model,” says Spencer Rubin, Melt Shop Founder. “We love what we do, and it’s our passion that will fuel our franchise growth as a brand and we’re looking for partners who are equally passionate.”
Melt Shop is seeking qualified franchisees to join the brand and currently has opportunities domestically in markets such as the Northeast, Midwest, and Florida, and in most international markets, including the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Japan, China, India, Mexico, South America, Canada, Western Europe, and Australia. Melt Shop is poised for excellent ROI with an estimated initial investment range of $368,240–$698,800 for the first location, including a franchise fee of $35,000, and a sales range of $1,016,984–$1,640,406 (sale range based on Melt Shops’ six corporate restaurants open over 12 months as of end of 2016, as referenced in Item 19 of the 2017 FDD)
Melt Shop is seeking well-capitalized partners who are entrepreneurial and have a strong knowledge of their market. The ideal franchisee is a proven multi-unit operator in the restaurant industry.
To learn more about ownership opportunities with Melt Shop, contact Josh Morgan, Operating Partner of Aurify Brands, at partners@meltshop.com or visit www.meltshopfranchise.com.
Melt Shop is a part of Aurify Brands, a company equal parts hospitality group and restaurant incubator. Aurify Brands was founded by Andy Stern and John Rigos, who are Five Guys Burgers and Fries multi-unit franchisees, and former franchisees of Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Baskin-Robbins. Aurify Brands believes that one quality, more than any other, determines the success of a concept: the strength of the brand and its connection to guests. Melt Shop was built upon that premise. Aurify Brands also owns and operates The Little Beet, The Little Beet Table, Fields Good Chicken, and MAKE Sandwich.
