Melt Named To Inc. 5000 List Of Fastest Growing Companies

LAKEWOOD, OH — Lakewood's own Melt Bar and Grilled has been named to the prestigious 2017 Inc. 5000, a list of the U.S.'s fastest-growing private companies. The announcement comes amid Melt's plans to expand into Avon and Canton, increasing its tally of full-scale restaurants in Northeast Ohio to 11. Melt also opened an establishment at Cedar Point.

“The last 10 years have been a whirlwind,” says Matt Fish, owner and founder of Melt Bar and Grilled, in a statement. “Going from one location to ten, with another opening soon, has been an incredible journey for the entire Melt Family, including myself. If you asked me then if I thought that Melt would have gained exposure from national television food networks, industry trade publications, and now recognition by Inc., I might have laughed at you. But we were pretty confident we were on to something when we elevated the humble grilled cheese sandwich to its rightful place in the food universe.”

Melt joins a list of other exciting young companies, thought Melt is one of the few restaurant chains to make the list. Several solar and tech companies are peppered throughout the upper echelon of the Inc. 5000. Previous iterations of the Inc. 500 list have highlighted companies like Yelp, Vizio, Chobani and Timberland. (Subscribe to the Patch Lakewood newsletter for local news and updates.)

“Most of all, this recognition is really important because it is a testament to the Melt Family - everyone that works for Melt since last week or since Day 1,” says Fish. “One person doesn’t make this happen – all of us do and it’s an honor that they deserve. They are the reason people enjoy the Melt experience and why we continue to be among Ohio’s favorite restaurants.”

Inc. 5000 ranked Melt as the 4,906th fastest growing company on its list. The magazine estimates the company has grown more than 43 percent over the past year, and has recorded revenue of about $17.6 million.

“The little gourmet grilled cheese restaurant from Cleveland, Ohio is on the national stage once again!” says Fish, “And we’d like to thank everyone for their continued support!”

The whole Inc. 5000 list can be viewed here. Users can search based off metro areas and dig into business profiles of all the companies on the list.

“It is awesome knowing that our customers find happiness and joy when they visit Melt Bar and Grilled and that we are growing and doing well, but when an impartial third party like Inc. validates that success, that’s something we’re very proud of,” said Fish.

Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch