Ohio-based gourmet grilled cheese chain Melt Bar & Grilled has ceased operations with the closure of its last remaining outlet, following a struggle to recover financially after the Covid-19 pandemic.  

The flagship Melt in Lakewood, Ohio is the last to close.  This restaurant began operations in 2006. 

The company filed bankruptcy proceedings in June 2024.  

On 1 January 2025, its founder and owner Max Fish announced on social media: "Today is a very sad day for me both personally and professionally.  

"The company I launched 18 years ago is over. What started as random ideas on a piece of notebook paper turned into nearly two decades of a very successful business." 

Established in 2006, Melt Bar & Grilled expanded to 13 company-owned and licensed locations and became known for its sandwiches and craft beer selection.  

The brand featured on TV shows such as The Best Thing I Ever Ate and Man v Food.

But by June 2024, only four locations remained operational.

Fish added: "The process to save Melt Bar and Grilled started in 2020. The world and the restaurant/service industry changed drastically during the pandemic.  

"Hundreds of difficult decisions and countless efforts were made to put the company in a position to survive and thrive. Unfortunately, these determined efforts were not enough to save the company." 

Max Fish stated that his team had "made drastic changes" and had "pulled every lever possible" in an attempt to save Melt Bar & Grilled. 

Fish plans to take some time off before pursuing a new venture.