THE
OPPORTUNITY
A wide open category.
The brand to build it.
The US sandwich franchise market is a $46 billion industry — and gourmet grilled cheese has no dominant national player. Yet. Melty is the brand that changes that.
GOURMET GRILLED CHEESE
The fast casual sandwich segment grew 2% per year on average between 2019 and 2024, reaching $46.2 billion in market size — and it shows no signs of slowing.
THE RIGHT CATEGORY AT THE RIGHT TIME.
Consumers are trading up from fast food for better ingredients and better experiences, without paying full-service prices. Melty sits directly in that sweet spot.
How is Melty different from every other sandwich franchise? We own a lane that nobody else has claimed. Gourmet grilled cheese is comfort food that transcends demographics — families, professionals, kids, and grandparents all have an emotional relationship with it. Melty makes that comfort elevated, Instagram-worthy, and craveable enough to drive repeat visits.
FOOD THAT SELLS ITSELF.
Melty's menu is built around gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, house-made soups, and specialty desserts. The food is high-quality, photo-worthy, and priced for everyday visits. This is the combination that drives both word-of-mouth and social media growth.
-
Fewer SKUs than a full-service concept — easier to train, less waste, faster tickets
-
Multiple revenue streams: sandwiches, soups, salads, and desserts increase ticket size
-
Strong repeat purchase profile — comfort food is not a special-occasion decision
THE BUSINESS MODEL
SIMPLE TO OPERATE.
DESIGNED FOR OWNERS.
Melty was built with the franchise owner in mind from day one. The operational model is intentionally straightforward: a flexible footprint (1,200–2,200 sq ft), a streamlined kitchen, and systems that allow semi-absentee ownership for the right operator.
Concept | Gourmet grilled cheese, soups, salads, sides and desserts |
Format | Fast casual quick service restaurant |
Footprint | 1,200 - 2,200 sq ft |
Ownership Style | Owner-operator or semi-absentee (qualified operators) |
Multi-Unit Option | Yes — area development agreements available |
Royalty | 6% of gross sales |
Advertising Fund | 1% of gross sales (national/regional) |
Local Advertising | 1% of gross sales (owner-managed) |