Fast-casual chain The Melt is opening a location Tuesday at the Market Place in Tustin.

Ahead of the grand opening, the chain will host a preview Monday at which customers can receive a free meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Diners must say “Say Cheese, Tustin!” to get a free meal, which includes a sandwich, side dish and fountain drink.

The Melt is located next to Which Wich at 2943 El Camino Real. It is the chain’s 16th location and second in Orange County. The Melt already has a location at the Irvine Spectrum Center.

The Melt was founded in San Francisco in 2011 by Flip Video founder Jonathan Kaplan.

The chain is known for its gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers and homemade soups. Burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches cost $5 to $7, and sides range from $2 to $4.

The Melt only uses natural ingredients that contain no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. The chain also has a “banned ingredient list.”

The Tustin location will not have catering when it first opens, but will add the option later on.

The Melt has an app that geo-tracks customers so that Melt employees can start making online and app orders when a guest is within 500 feet of the store.

Contact the writer: hmadans@ocregister.com or Twitter: @HannahMadans