The fast-casual grilled cheese concept Melt Shop, based in New York City with 13 locations in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Minnesota, began franchising in November.
The chain’s Newark, Del., location is the first of 21 franchised stores franchisee Drew Smith plans to open in the Mid-Atlantic region over the next five years. Melt Shop — under the umbrella of hospitality group and restaurant incubator Aurify Brands (The Little Beet, Fields Good Chicken) — plans to have 100 locations by 2022.
The average check at Melt Shop is between $10 and $15 with a variety of footprint options, from 750-square feet to 2,500-square feet.