SAN MARCOS, CA (April 10, 2026) – The Melt, the fast-casual brand behind the signature MeltBurger and the home of the “World’s Meltiest Burger,” is opening its newest location in San Marcos, CA on Friday, April 10 with a grand opening celebration on Thursday, April 16. The restaurant marks The Melt’s fourth San Diego County location, joining existing outposts in Del Mar, La Jolla, and the Gaslamp Quarter.
The opening is part of The Melt’s continued push into Southern California, where the brand plans to grow from 6 to 14 locations in 2026 alone.
To mark the occasion, the first 100 guests on opening day will receive a complimentary MeltBurger — a tradition at every new Melt location. Guests will also have the chance to win free MeltBurgers for a year. A prize wheel with additional giveaways will round out the celebration.
“Our locations in San Diego County have been incredibly well received, and we’re excited to build on that momentum with our first location in North County,” said Ralph Bower, CEO of The Melt. “San Marcos allows us to bring The Melt experience to even more San Diego area guests. From 100% real ingredients to bold flavors, we’re looking forward to welcoming the community and introducing more people to what makes The Melt special.”
At the heart of The Melt’s menu is the MeltBurger: over 1⁄3 of a pound of fresh Angus and Wagyu beef, layered with two slices of aged cheddar that melt directly into the patty on the grill. The result is the kind of burger that’s hard to stop thinking about. The full menu features toasty grilled cheese sandwiches, crispy buttermilk-brined chicken, creamy mac and cheese, and thick hand-spun shakes, all made with 100% all-natural ingredients and zero artificial ingredients. That commitment to quality has earned The Melt a 4.7-star average rating across Google and Yelp, recognition as the best burger spot in San Francisco by VinePair, and a loyal following that keeps growing, driven by a simple goal: making every guest say, “I love it here.”
Grand Opening Details
Date: April 16, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: 151 S. Las Posas Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078
Offer: First 100 guests receive a free MeltBurger
The San Marcos restaurant is the second of 10 new locations planned for 2026 as The Melt accelerates expansion across California and beyond. The brand is also preparing to launch franchising later this year, with Greg Vojnovic—a 30-year franchise development veteran—recently named Head of Franchising.
The Melt San Marcos will be open daily from 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. for dine-in and takeout, with delivery available on DoorDash. For more information, visit: https://www.themelt.com/locations.
ABOUT THE MELT
Founded in San Francisco in 2011, The Melt is on a mission to serve the world’s meltiest, most craveable comfort food—made entirely with 100% all-natural ingredients and no artificial additives, ever. Best known for its signature MeltBurger—a bold blend of premium Angus and Wagyu beef, topped with aged cheddar, house-made pickle-jalapeño mix, and served on a toasted artisan bun—The MeltBurger
delivers unforgettable flavor in every bite.
The menu features juicy MeltBurgers, toasty grilled melts, crispy buttermilk-brined chicken, creamy mac & cheese, skin-on fries seasoned with custom Melt Spice, and thick, hand-spun shakes. Every item on the menu is made with real, high-quality ingredients you can feel good about.
Recognized as one of the Top 20 Fast Casual Restaurants for Guest Satisfaction by Nation’s Restaurant News and a Top 50 Brand in Fast Casual’s 2025 Top 100 Movers & Shakers, The Melt is rapidly becoming a standout in the fast casual space. With industry-leading sales comps and an average 4.7-star rating across Google and Yelp, The Melt operates 20 locations across California and Arizona, and is actively
expanding, with franchising slated to launch soon.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, The Melt delivers bold flavors, feel-good vibes, and warm hospitality that keeps guests saying,
“I love it here.”
Learn more at www.themelt.com or follow @TheMelt on social media.
