Melt Bar & Grilled files for bankruptcy
Akron-based Melt Bar and Grilled has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, according to court filings.
A filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Ohio’s Northern District states that the restaurant specializing in grilled cheeses has between $1 million and $10 million in liabilities. Its assets are between $500,000 and $1 million, according to the filing.
Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows businesses to continue operating while reorganizing their debts and assets.
Melt has more than 100 creditors, according to the court filing. Among the largest creditors are property owners with which the restaurant signed leases, as well as an employment lawyer and food suppliers — including a Parma-based bakery specializing in making pierogies that have been included in Melt’s “Parmageddon” grilled cheese.
The restaurant has locations in Akron, Mentor, Lakewood and Columbus, as well as at Progressive Field and on Case Western Reserve University’s campus in Cleveland.
The restaurant closed its Jackson Township and Dayton locations in January
2023. And it has shuttered multiple other locations, including in Independence, Cleveland Heights and Avon.
Court filings show Melt has about 91 employees.
Melt is being sued by the owner of
Belden Village Mall for unpaid rent. It also faces lawsuits in Lorain and Franklin counties from creditors that specialize in development and are listed in the bankruptcy filings as being owed rent from the restaurant.
Nearly 1,000 fans of the restaurant with Melt-themed tattoos were promised 25% off Melt purchases for life, according to its website. And grilledcheese lovers who could finish the Melt Challenge — that is, eating a five-pound sandwich in one sitting — could receive a Melt T-shirt, a pint glass and a $10 gift card, per the site.
Melt’s attorney in the bankruptcy case could not immediately be reached for comment.
A bankruptcy hearing is scheduled for Thursday morning in Akron.
Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows businesses to continue operating.