Melting the Barriers Between Restaurant and Retail

Heading into a holiday season filled with at-home celebrations, The Melting Pot launched a retail line designed for elevated entertaining. This represents an expansion of the ready-to-heat specialty fondue, which debuted in 2023, and truly serves as an extension of the brand beyond the restaurant experience, Jennifer Lukas-Bourgeois, director of retail at The Melting Pot, told Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine.

“There’s a difference between dining out for a special night and creating a cozy moment at home, but both are built around the same spirit of sharing and connection. That’s the bridge we wanted to build. Melting Pot at Home allows guests to enjoy our signature cheese and chocolate fondues anytime, anywhere — keeping the spirit of the restaurant alive at home.”

Retail Rollout and Product Line

The products just landed on shelves at more than 2,500 stores including Publix, Harris Teeter, Amazon Fresh, Safeway Southwest and Safeway Mountain West. Shoppers can now indulge at home in Classic Alpine and Aged Cheddar & Gouda cheese fondues, plus select chocolate ones. Each is ready to heat and eat with no fondue pot required. Also available is the brand’s Garlic & Wine Seasoning, which she views as a “surprise and delight” product. 

“I like to call it the silent giant of our portfolio because it sells over 1,000 bottles per month on Amazon alone. It’s incredibly versatile — traditionally used to top cheese fondues, but equally delicious sprinkled on salads, proteins, or mixed into dressings.”

From Vision to Opportunity

Lukas-Bourgeois said the idea of retail expansion wasn’t new as former CEO and founder Bob Johnston had long envisioned a way for guests to enjoy Melting Pot products at home, but the dynamic changed when the pandemic hit and restaurants had to pivot and rethink how to bring their experiences to guests in new ways. 

“Out of that moment came an opportunity. The rules of engagement for restaurants shifted, and we began exploring how to extend The Melting Pot beyond our four walls — through to-go items and at-home experiences that allowed guests to enjoy the brand even when they couldn’t be in the restaurant.”

When selecting retail partners, executives took a strategic and brand-forward approach, Lukas-Bourgeois explained, adding that the goal was to align with retailers in markets where Melting Pot restaurants already had a presence across the U.S., knowing that existing brand recognition would help drive trial and trust.

“By focusing our retail expansion in markets where restaurants already operate, we’re able to reinforce the brand connection and create a natural bridge between grocery and dining. When customers discover our fondue products in stores, we want them to know that the full restaurant experience — without the cooking — is just around the corner. At the same time, the globalization of travel has expanded awareness of The Melting Pot, so even in areas without a restaurant, consumers often recognize the name and associate it with memorable dining experiences.”

Navigating Challenges 

The move is not without its challenges. For example, the cheese fondue is made in Switzerland, then flash-frozen and imported to preserve its authentic flavor and quality.

“Of course, as anyone following the news knows, tariff implications have created new challenges for imported goods, " Lukas-Bourgeois said. “We’re currently facing a 39-percent tariff, something no one could have anticipated a year ago. Navigating these added costs — from production and shipping to final pricing — has required careful balance.”

Looking ahead, she said the biggest challenge — and opportunity — is growth: getting in front of more grocers and retailers.This dovetails with the long-term strategy to make The Melting Pot experience accessible anytime, anywhere.

“As anyone in the CPG world knows, margins can be tight, so managing that balance while expanding nationwide takes strategy, patience, and strong partnerships. But we’re on the right path — and we have the right team to get there. This approach ensures the brand remains within reach and top of mind, no matter how or where our customers choose to enjoy it.”

To gather feedback from retail customers, the brand looks at several key touchpoints: tracking sell-through and reorder rates with grocery partners and insights from in-store employees—deli managers, assistant managers, and store managers—who hear firsthand what shoppers are saying, Lukas-Bourgeois said. By integrating insights from multiple channels, product development remains customer-driven,fresh, relevant, and aligned with their expectations.

“We maintain a strong customer service network, and we regularly receive feedback via email and social media, where customers share their experiences and ideas. Additionally, trade shows are invaluable opportunities for feedback and relationship-building, allowing us to hear directly from buyers and sales representatives who taste and evaluate our products.Beyond that, we continually monitor market trends and product innovation, staying attuned to evolving consumer preferences. For example, we’re developing new flavors such as a Dubai-style chocolate fondue and a s’mores chocolate fondue.”

Line Expansion Plans

Lukas-Bourgeois said they will expand the line in 2026 with new snackable and ready-to-use items. In the first quarter, they’ll introduce a collection of fresh cheese spreads inspired by fan-favorite restaurant flavors as well as three signature sauces and dressings.

“Together, they represent the next evolution of Melting Pot at Home — making it easier than ever to enjoy our signature flavors wherever you are. Now, by having Melting Pot products available in grocery stores, we’re sparking that same emotion in new places. It keeps the brand top of mind — and most importantly, it keeps the feeling of fondue, togetherness, and celebration alive wherever our guests are.”

Lukas-Bourgeois advises other brands to explore multiple channels — grocery, e-commerce, and grocery delivery platforms as it’s an effective way to keep a brand top of mind and always within reach.

“Take a walk down any grocery aisle and you’ll see how many restaurant brands have successfully extended into retail — from McDonald’s and Dunkin’ coffee, Panera Bread Soups to Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell sauces. These products let customers enjoy their favorite flavors at home, anytime they want, without needing to visit the restaurant. My advice to other restaurant or quick-service brands is simple: if your customers love certain products, make them available beyond your four walls.”