Melt Shop, pioneers of the melted sandwich movement, announced the signing of its first domestic franchise agreement with 717 Food Group. The new partner will open their first Melt Shop in Staten Island, New York, in 2018.
Founded by Spencer Rubin in 2011, Melt Shop has eight corporate locations throughout New York, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis, and recently signed a multi-unit deal to open seven restaurants in the Middle East. Four of those units will open by the second quarter of 2018. The brand plans to grow to 100 locations over the next five years.
“We’re thrilled that just weeks after the announcement of our franchise program launch, we’ve signed our first franchisee, in our own backyard,” says Melt Shop founder Spencer Rubin. “717 Food Group’s passion and excitement for Melt Shop, combined with their hospitality, operations experience, and achievements, makes them the perfect partner.”
717 Food Group is led by Roxanne Mallilo and Michael Manniello . The siblings have over 40 years of combined experience in hospitality and restaurants, with a prominent presence in airports.
“When my brother approached me about opening Melt Shop’s first franchised restaurant, I jumped at the opportunity,” says Mallilo, 717 Food CEO. “Aside from its phenomenal product, we were blown away by Melt Shop’s business model, operational excellence, and the unparalleled support we received from its dedicate, passionate team. We’re thrilled to stand behind an emerging concept and continue to grow with the brand.”
Melt Shop’s focus is simple: melted sandwiches made with high-quality ingredients. The product and processes have been refined for more than six years and is now a culinary experience.
Melt Shop is seeking qualified franchisees to join the brand domestically in markets such as the Northeast, Midwest, and Florida, and in most international markets 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. Follow Melt Shop on Instagram for the latest news.
