The Melting Pot® Restaurants, Inc. has signed a franchise agreement to develop its first restaurant in Little Rock, marking the brand’s entry into Arkansas.
“We’re excited to further expand our national presence with the signing of our first franchise agreement in Arkansas,” said Dan Stone, vice president of franchise development for Front Burner Brands. “We look forward to working with our new franchise partner to introduce Little Rock residents to our one-of-a-kind, polished casual dining experience.”
Allen Hurst plans to develop The Melting Pot’s first Arkansas location in Little Rock, which is slated to open by early 2016. Hurst will relocate his family from Denver, Colo., to the Little Rock area, where he aims to develop additional restaurants in Arkansas and neighboring states over the next five years.
“When looking into franchise opportunities, I was attracted to the support offered by Front Burner Brands and the unique dining experience found at The Melting Pot,” said Hurst. “My wife and I were first introduced to the brand when we dined at the Denver location for our 15th wedding anniversary, and we were amazed by the food and exceptional service. We look forward to eventually expanding the brand’s presence in new markets throughout Arkansas.”
The Melting Pot operates more than 130 restaurants in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Southeast Asia and has more than 20 locations in development internationally.