The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. announced Monday it has partnered with Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF), one of the world's leading commercial real estate advisory firms with operations in more than 370 offices worldwide.
"Our new alliance with Newmark Grubb Knight Frank will accelerate franchise development, create value for our existing franchisee's real estate needs and give us a better understanding of the commercial real estate landscape globally," says Dan Stone, chief business and people development officer for Front Burner Brands. "With NGKF as our outsourced real estate department, The Melting Pot and its franchise partners will benefit from an international team of experts who can help us deliver comprehensive real estate strategies tailored to each franchisee, market or prospective country.”
NGKF has a history of providing multinational corporations and institutional investors with services including leasing advisory, global corporate services, investment sales and capital markets services, property and facilities management, as well as consulting and valuation services. NGKF is already assisting several Melting Pot franchisees with new restaurant site selection, mid-term lease negotiations, and evaluation of existing real estate.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work together with The Melting Pot to drive its international expansion," says Barry M. Gosin, chief executive officer of Newmark Grubb Knight Frank. "Our services and resources combined with The Melting Pot's strong reputation and proven business model will create a compelling investment opportunity for future investors."
The fondue franchise is targeting expansion of its international footprint in select markets across Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Earlier this year, The Melting Pot announced the opening of its first restaurant in Jakarta, Indonesia, and has plans to open an additional location in Mexico City as well as its first locations in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia before the end of 2015.
The Melting Pot operates more than 125 restaurants across 35 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, and Southeast Asia, and has more than 15 locations in development internationally.
To further fuel its global development plans, the company is actively seeking qualified franchisees and will host a franchising webinar at 11 a.m. August 13.
