The Melting Pot Returned to Memphis Restaurant Scene
The fondue chain is renovating a former pizza shop space for a new location in East Memphis.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Melting Pot has initiated plans to open a new restaurant at 1199 Ridgeway Road in East Memphis. This project marks the fondue chain's return to the Memphis market after an absence of over 15 years.
Why it matters
The new restaurant site represents a significant expansion for the brand in Tennessee, bringing the chain back to a city where it previously operated between 2004 and 2010. The project also highlights the company's long-standing charitable commitment to pediatric healthcare.
The renovation project for the 5,000 square foot facility is valued at approximately $940,000. This site replaces the former Pyro's Fire Fresh Pizza location on Ridgeway Road.
The players
The Melting Pot
This national fondue restaurant chain has a long history of supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development
This local government agency is responsible for overseeing zoning and construction permits for development projects in the area.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
This world-renowned research hospital based in Memphis specializes in the treatment of pediatric diseases.
The details
Construction plans for the new establishment have been submitted to the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development. The restaurant will occupy a building space that was previously used for a pizza dining operation.
Timeline
The Melting Pot operated its first Memphis location from 2004 until 2010.
The chain reached an $18 million fundraising milestone for St. Jude in 2025.
Reports of the brand's return to Memphis first surfaced in February 2025.
Construction permits for the new East Memphis site were confirmed in September 2026.
Market Landscape
The return of the chain follows the brand's previous operational history in Memphis, which concluded in 2010. This expansion signals a strategic reinvestment into a market where the company previously established a presence.
Residents in East Memphis can expect a new dining option once the current renovation of the 1199 Ridgeway Road site is completed. The project brings new commercial activity to the neighborhood's restaurant sector.
The takeaway
The return of the restaurant chain highlights the ongoing shift in local dining real estate as brands cycle back into previously held territories. Residents should monitor local updates for the eventual announcement of the grand opening date.
Further reading
Learn more about local community efforts and charitable initiatives in the Memphis Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Commercial Appeal.
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