The Davis Collection, a shopping center re-developing the old University Mall in Davis, CA submitted by New York City-based Brixmor Property Group Inc., has confirmed the tenancy of the San-Francisco-based fast-casual restaurant chain, The Melt.
After closing its original Davis location in 2015, The Melt never stopped looking for opportunities to re-enter the local market. The Melt’s CEO Ralph Bower, who joined the brand in 2016, was former President of Popeyes and former CEO of Pei Wei Asian Kitchen. With his 25+ years of senior-level experience and success in the fast-casual and quick-service restaurant industry, Bower turned a once-struggling brand around with an enhanced menu and a new company vision.
“The Melt has really become a different brand since 2015. All our locations in markets similar to Davis are doing extremely well, including our Folsom location that opened in March. We are so excited to be coming back to Davis,” Bower told What Now Sacramento over the phone.
Nowadays, The Melt holds 19 locations in Northern California and an additional six in Southern California. The brand is famous for its mac and cheese, cheese-melt burgers, and sandwiches, but the menu also carries seasoned fries, salads, soups, desserts, and shakes. According to Bower, The Melt is also planning on opening two to three more locations in Greater Sacramento in 2024, and an additional three more in 2025.
Other restaurants coming to Davis Collection include Urban Plates, Mendocino Farms, and local restaurant businesses Good Friends Hawaiian Poke and The Old Teahouse. According to leasing materials, the shopping center currently has 11 units still looking for tenants to occupy. The project plans to add more tenants in apparel, fitness, and specialty restaurants. The Davis Collection is anticipated to complete its construction by mid-2025. Currently, no specific suite number for The Melt is available.
