Mike Lester Promoted to President of The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc.

Mike Lester, former senior vice president of operations for The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., was recently promoted to president of The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc.

As president, Mike Lester is responsible for the overall operations of The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. franchise system with more than 140 restaurants in North America from the company’s Restaurant Support Center in Tampa, Fla.  In addition to his current role with The Melting Pot, Lester also helps to oversee the restaurant management company Front Burner Brands that supports affiliated concepts including TheMelting Pot, Burger 21, GrillSmith and other new franchise concepts in development.

Lester joined The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., in July 2006 as vice president of restaurant operations.  He was promoted to senior vice president of operations in June 2009 and to his current position in June 2011.

As president of The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc., Lester presides over The Melting Pot’s overall operations including culinary development, training, purchasing and distribution, construction and design, franchising, marketing and finance and accounting. He also oversees the company’s strategic growth, the franchise steering committee and franchise business consultants. As The Melting Pot pursues international growth of the concept with 14 locations already secured in Canada and Mexico, Lester’s responsibilities also include traveling to potential international markets, recruitment and global marketing. The company is currently looking into the Middle East, Indonesia, Australia, India, China, Japan, Brazil and European markets for further expansion opportunities.

Previously, Lester developed and operated 15 Outback Steakhouse locations as a joint venture partner from August 1993 to July 2006.  He expanded, trained and recruited managers and managing partners, developed and executed marketing strategies, executed community relations projects and events, supervised customer and employee relations, enforced strict health department and restaurant compliance standards, managed financial aspects including business development and implementation, effective cost controls and financial analysis as well as negotiated and managed vendor contracts and internal audits.

Lester studied microbiology at the University of Kentucky. His professional development skills include employee and workplace legalities, communications, P&L workshops, sexual harassment, team building, meeting facilitation, concentrated service and food meetings, ServSafe certifications, responsible alcohol vending and more.

About The Melting Pot
With more than 140 restaurants in North America, existing locations in 36 states, Canada and Mexico and more than 15 locations currently in development, The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. is the premier fondue restaurant franchise. Founded in 1975, The Melting Pot continues to be a memorable dining experience. Guests enjoy a choice of fondue cooking styles and a variety of unique entrées combined with dipping sauces. The menu also includes cheese fondues, salads, fine wines and chocolate fondue desserts. The Melting Pot is an affiliate of Front Burner Brands, a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Fla. For more information, visit www.meltingpot.com.