The Melting Pot fondue chain is teaming up with mail-order powerhouse Omaha Steaks to market a do-it-yourself fondue kit, delivered to consumers homes for prices starting at $84.99.
Melting Pot is providing the dipping medium, in two varieties, while Omaha Steaks is supplying a variety of proteins for the dipping. The meats include boneless pork chops and chicken breasts; beef meatballs; tenderloin tips; kielbasa; and wild Argentinian red shrimp.
The Melting Pot At Home kits also include baguettes with garlic butter, and caramel apple tartlets for dessert.
The kits range in size. The Big Game package, aimed at football fans, feeds up to 10 people, according to the fondue chain.
Orders need to be placed at least five days in advance, and delivery can take up to 8 days.
Melting Pot’s arrangement with Omaha Steaks is the latest instance of restaurant chains attempting to sell assemble-yourself versions of branded products through alternate channels. Taco Bell, for instance, recently announced that kits to produce Crunchwrap Supremes and Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas are being retailed at WalMart stores for $7 each.
“We understand that guests cannot always make it into to our restaurants, so we wanted to bring the craveable fondue experience to them,” Bob Johnston, Melting Pot’s CEO, said in announcing the deal.
Opting to do it through a deal with Omaha Steaks is “a no-brainer” for that direct-to-consumer meat retailer, commented Nate Rempe, Omaha Steaks’ CEO.
Melting Pot has 90 locations across 31 states and Canada.
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