AKRON, Ohio — The future of one of Northeast Ohio's most popular restaurant chains is now in jeopardy, with Melt Bar and Grilled filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week in federal court.
Documents obtained by 3News show the company filed a petition for relief on Friday, with owner Matt Fish signing the document. In a separate case, Fish also filed a personal claim for bankruptcy protection, with he and Melt combined reporting more than $11 million in total liabilities.
Founded in 2006 with its initial Lakewood location, Melt's signature grilled cheese sandwiches quickly gained notoriety across the country, with Esquire even naming its "Parmageddon" (a grilled cheese sandwich stuffed with a pierogi, sauteed onions and Napa vodka kraut) as one of its "Best Sandwiches in America." At its peak, Melt boasted 10 restaurants across Ohio, along with a number of satellite locations.
But the first signs of trouble arrived in November of 2020, when Fish announced the closure of Melt in Cleveland Heights due to "the uncertainty and challenges of the (COVID-19) pandemic." The end of Melt's restaurant in Columbus' Short North neighborhood followed in 2022, and after a brief period of stability, its Canton and Dayton stores suddenly shut down in January of 2023.
"It's been five great years at both locations," Melt owner Matt Fish said at the time. "However, we feel having a smaller footprint and getting back to our hometown Cleveland roots is incredibly important right now."
Yet that footprint only grew smaller a year later, when Melt Bar and Grilled in Avon closed for the last time. Fish again cited a desire for "getting back even more to our hometown Cleveland roots" along with "growing economic issues" in his reasoning, but despite stated optimism for the future, the downsizing has continued since then with the shuttering of both the Independence restaurant as well as the satellite location at Cedar Point.
According to WKYC's media partner cleveland.com, Melt is currently facing several lawsuits alleging unpaid rent, with landlords seeking more than $1 million in damages. According to court documents, the company owes roughly $1 million in lease payments within the next 12 months.
Melt is now down to just four full-time locations in Lakewood, Akron, Mentor, and Columbus, along with satellite spots at Case Western Reserve University and Progressive Field in Cleveland. 3News has reached out to Fish's attorney for comment, but Fish did offer cleveland.com the following statement:
"Navigating the restaurant industry in the post-pandemic world with growing economic issues is becoming increasingly difficult. The world and the industry are rapidly changing around us.
"After careful consideration, Melt Bar and Grilled has decided to file Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. This gives us the best opportunity to reorganize and rebuild the company. We continue to provide great food, great service and a great overall experience. We have been working tirelessly to improve all aspects of the Melt Experience. Our loyal guests are excited and are sharing very positive comments.
"We have not only survived but have thrived for almost 18 years in the Cleveland restaurant scene. I refuse to let the company I have put my entire life into for the past nearly 2 decades end. I sincerely hope our staff, friends and loyal guests will continue to support us through this difficult decision and transition."