Vancouverites, your cheese cravings might soon have a new home.
The Melting Pot—the fondue restaurant chain that’s long been a staple in the U.S.—is eyeing Vancouver for its next Canadian expansion. The brand plans to open one or two Metro Vancouver locations by early 2027 as part of a broader push to launch five new restaurants across Canada over the next four years.
“Vancouver was one of our first Canadian markets we focused on as we restarted our expansion into Canada,” says Collin Benyo, the company’s franchise growth strategist.
If you’ve never been, The Melting Pot is about making dinner the main event of the day. Diners work their way through a customizable four-course meal, starting with bubbling cheese fondue, followed by salad, cook-your-own entrées prepared in a choice of fondue styles and, naturally, a chocolate fondue finale.
Benyo, who’s been with the company for nearly 20 years, says the appeal goes beyond the food. Having previously operated a franchise himself, he’s seen firsthand how the brand’s guiding philosophy—”The Perfect Night Out”—turns dinner into a social experience.
“I’ve watched families grow up right in front of me, seen incredible memories created at my team’s tables, and eventually crafted a wonderful relationship with the rest of our 93 locations with operators and franchisees who are all on the same mission,” says Benyo.
He believes that formula would translate well to Vancouver, arguing the city’s diners are increasingly looking for experiences, not just meals. The Melting Pot’s emphasis on sharing food around the table, premium ingredients and lingering over dinner fits with what he sees as Vancouver’s appetite for quality and experiential dining.
The company estimates each new restaurant could generate more than $2 million in annual sales on average, with top-performing locations reaching about $3 million. Each location is also expected to create between 30 and 70 jobs across hospitality, culinary and management.
Rather than transplanting its U.S. model wholesale, the company says it adapts each restaurant to its local market, from the service style to the guest experience. Benyo points to its Edmonton location as proof that tailoring the concept to Canadian diners can pay off.
