Franchising

The Melt doubling San Fran footprint

February 16, 2026

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The Melt, known for its "World's Meltiest Burger," is open eight Southern California locations in 2026, more than doubling its footprint in the region.

The expansion marks a significant milestone for the 18-unit chain, which specializes in premium burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches made with all-natural ingredients. The first of the new sites is scheduled to open Feb. 10 at the Brea Mall as part of the center's multimillion-dollar redevelopment.

"Southern California has been incredibly receptive to The Melt's approach to premium fast-casual dining," CEO Ralph Bower said in a company press release. "The momentum we're seeing tells us consumers are hungry for melty comfort food that doesn't compromise on quality."

The planned openings will increase the brand's Southern California presence from six to 14 restaurants. The Melt currently operates 18 locations across California and Arizona.

Planned 2026 locations

The new restaurants will be situated in high-traffic retail hubs and include the following:

Brea Mall (Brea): Opening February
Burbank: Opening early 2026
Del Amo Fashion Center (Torrance): Opening spring 2026
San Marcos: Opening spring 2026
Hollywood Park (Inglewood): Opening summer 2026
Monterey Park: Opening summer 2026
Long Beach: Opening fall 2026
UCLA (Westwood): Opening fall 2026

Founded in 2011, the San Francisco-based company has recently gained industry recognition, appearing on Fast Casual's 2025 "Top 100 Movers & Shakers" list. The company reported double-digit year-over-year growth and recently expanded into the Arizona market.