After years of growth and then downsizing, a gourmet sandwich chain has filed for bankruptcy.
The renowned Melt Bar and Grilled, which has six more locations in Ohio, has warned that it is struggling to pay its landlords and suppliers.
After its founding in 2006, it grew to 14 outlets across the state and in 2013 won industry awards for its upscale grilled cheese sandwiches and craft beers.
Melt Bar and founder Matt Fish were featured on the iconic Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives show with Guy Fieri on Food Network.
Fish also appeared with 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) were featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives with celebrity host Guy Fieri
But on Friday, the Melt Bar filed for bankruptcy.
It is the latest restaurant chain to struggle to cope with the aftershocks of the pandemic, which caused labor problems, inflation and a change in the way Americans were dining out.
Melt Bar had closed its location in Cedar Point, east of Cleveland, in May, after also recently closing five others.
Court documents show Melt Bar was hit hard by the rising costs of ingredients and labor. Restructuring will ‘ensure its immediate survival and its future long-term success’.
Melt remains open in Lakewood – its original location – Mentor, Akron and Columbus.
It also has satellite spots 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 challenges is becoming increasingly difficult.
“The world and the industry around us are changing rapidly,” he continues.
“We realized in early 2023 that a smaller restaurant group would be much better for us to manage in terms of operations and guest experience while preparing for future success.”
He added, “We have not only survived, but thrived in the Cleveland restaurant scene for almost 18 years.
“I refuse to end the business I have invested my entire life into for the past 20 years. I sincerely hope that our employees, friends and loyal guests will continue to support us during this difficult decision and transition. I’m really excited about what the future will bring for Melt Bar and Grilled.”
The problems for Melt first arose in November 2020 — a tough time for many small chains after nearly a year of pandemic closures — when the company closed its Cleveland Heights location.
Melt’s outlet in Columbus’ Short North neighborhood opened in 2022, followed by the Canton and Dayton restaurants both in January 2023.
Melt Bar & Grilled once had fourteen locations but now only has four, but owner Matt Fish is still confident the hugely popular chain has a future.
One of Melt Bar & Grilled’s famous sandwiches
Earlier this year, the Avon location closed, followed by one in Independence and then the satellite location in Cedar Point in May.
Melt remains open in Lakewood – its original location – Mentor, Akron and Columbus.
It also has satellite spots at Case Western Reserve University and Progressive Field in Cleveland.
In 2013, Melt Bar was named a Breakout Brand by the respected trade outlet Nation’s Restaurant News.
Plus magazine Esquire described its “Parmageddon” — a grilled cheese sandwich filled with a pierogi, fried onions and Napa vodka kraut — as one of the “best sandwiches in America.”