The Melting Pot - Chicago

Mark Johnston, who was working his way through college as a waiter at The Melting Pot, noticed the popularity boost and - with the aid of his brothers Mike and Bob - scraped together funding to open The Melting Pot of Tallahassee in 1979 (with the blessing of the original owners in Maitland. Of course) The Tallahassee location grew enormously popular, and within one year its success paved the way for future franchise expansion.