After years of growth and then shrinkage, a gourmet sandwich chain has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The renowned Melt Bar and Grilled, which has six locations remaining in Ohio, has warned that it is having difficulty paying its owners and suppliers.
After its founding in 2006, it grew to 14 locations in the state and by 2013 was winning industry awards for its elegant grilled cheese sandwiches and craft beers.
Melt Bar and its founder Matt Fish appeared on the iconic show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with Guy Fieri on the Food Network.
Fish also appeared alongside Happy Days actor Henry Winkler on Fox 8 News, one of his many local media appearances.
Melt Bar and Grilled owner Matt Fish on Fox 8 News with actor Henry Winkler (left), who played The Fonz on the TV show Happy Days.
Melt Bar & Grilled and its owner Matt Fish (right) appeared on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with its famous host Guy Fieri.
But on Friday, Melt Bar filed for bankruptcy.
It is the latest restaurant chain struggling to cope with the fallout from the pandemic, which has led to job problems, inflation and a shift in the way Americans eat out.
Melt Bar had closed its location in Cedar Point, east of Cleveland, in May, after closing five others recently.
Court documents show Melt Bar was severely affected by rising ingredient and labor costs. The restructuring will “ensure its immediate survival and long-term future success.”
Melt remains open in Lakewood, the original location, Mentor, Akron and Columbus.
It also has satellite locations at Case Western Reserve University and Progressive Field in Cleveland.
Owner Matt Fish said: ‘Navigating the restaurant industry in the post-pandemic world with growing economic problems is becoming increasingly difficult.
“The world and the industry are changing rapidly around us,” he continues.
“In early 2023 we realized that it would be much better for us to run a smaller restaurant group in terms of operations and guest experience, while preparing for future success.”
He added: “We have not only survived but thrived for almost 18 years in the Cleveland restaurant scene.”
‘I refuse to allow the enterprise to which I have dedicated my entire life for the last almost two decades to end. I sincerely hope that our loyal staff, friends and guests continue to support us during this difficult decision and transition. “I’m really excited about what the future holds for Melt Bar and Grilled.”
Problems for Melt first emerged in November 2020, a difficult time for many small chains after nearly a year of pandemic-related closures, when the company closed its Cleveland Heights location.
The Melt store in Columbus’ Short North neighborhood closed in 2022, then the Canton and Dayton restaurants, both in January 2023.
Melt Bar & Grilled once had 14 locations but is now down to four, but owner Matt Fish is still confident the popular chain has a future.
One of the famous Melt Bar & Grilled sandwiches
Earlier this year, the Avon branch closed, followed by one in Independence and then, in May, the satellite branch in Cedar Point.
Melt remains open in Lakewood, the original location, Mentor, Akron and Columbus.
It also has satellite locations at Case Western Reserve University and Progressive Field in Cleveland.
In 2013, Melt Bar was named a Featured Brand by the respected trade publication Nation’s Restaurant News.
Plus Esquire magazine described its “Parmageddon,” a grilled cheese sandwich filled with pierogi, sautéed onions, and Napa vodka kraut, as one of its “best sandwiches in America.”