Create a free account to access unlimited data and FDDs.

Sign up
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Mellow Mushroom Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Mellow Mushroom is a pizza franchise known for its stone-baked pizzas, craft beers, and eclectic, artistic restaurant atmosphere.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

?

156
+
-1%
-1%
Franchise fee

?

$50,000
Investment

?

$1,330,000 - $2,051,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed

$2,623,000

+
n.a.
n.a.
Sign up

Founded in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers began as a single pizzeria created by two college students from Georgia Tech, later joined by a third from the University of Georgia. The founders aimed to craft a dining experience that mirrored their eclectic philosophies and passion for quality pizza.

Over the years, Mellow Mushroom has expanded significantly, operating as a franchise under Home Grown Industries, Inc. of Georgia, with over 200 locations across 20 states. Mellow Mushroom specializes in stone-baked pizzas, calzones, hoagies, salads, and appetizers like pretzel bites, complemented by an extensive selection of craft and local beers.

Each restaurant is locally owned and uniquely decorated, often featuring tie-dye motifs and colorful mushroom imagery, creating a distinctive and vibrant atmosphere. Some locations also host live music, trivia competitions, karaoke, or bingo, enhancing the community-centric experience.

A hallmark of Mellow Mushroom's approach is its commitment to individuality; no two restaurants are alike. This emphasis on unique, locally inspired décor and ambiance sets it apart from competitors, fostering a one-of-a-kind dining environment that resonates with patrons seeking both quality food and a memorable experience.

Interested in Mellow Mushroom franchise?

Share your information and our team will help you explore Mellow Mushroom franchise opportunity, including startup costs, available territories, ownership requirements, and next steps.

Request More Info

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Mellow Mushroom franchise is $1,330,000 - $2,051,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Mellow Mushroom provides four eligible standalone Restaurant configurations in Item 7: shell premises for a “fast-fine” fast-casual Restaurant, shell premises for a “traditional” full-service Restaurant, retrofit premises for a “traditional” full-service Restaurant, and purchased real estate with new construction for a “traditional” full-service Restaurant.

Restaurant Format Initial Investment Range
Shell Premises Provided by Landlord Under a Lease for a “Fast-Fine” Fast-Casual Restaurant Format $1,330,000 - $2,051,000
Shell Premises Provided by Landlord Under a Lease for a “Traditional” Full-Service Restaurant Format $1,695,000 - $2,916,500
Retrofit Premises Provided by Landlord Under a Lease for a “Traditional” Full-Service Restaurant Format $1,695,000 - $2,916,500
Purchase of Real Estate for Restaurant and Subsequent Build-Out and Development for a “Traditional” Full-Service Restaurant Format $2,911,000 - $4,841,500

The following table presents the estimated expenditures for shell premises provided by a landlord under a lease for a “fast-fine” fast-casual Restaurant format.

For further details concerning the listed costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $50,000
Art Package $22,000 - $30,000
Architectural Fee $25,000 - $40,000
One Month’s Rent $10,000 - $21,500
Security Deposit $10,000 - $21,500
Equipment $250,000 - $300,000
Leasehold Improvements $675,000 - $1,100,000
Signage $12,000 - $30,000
Opening Inventory $35,000 - $50,000
Small Wares $16,000 - $25,000
Pre-Opening Labor and Training Expenses $60,000 - $80,000
Insurance $5,000 -$8,000
Furniture $40,000 - $60,000
POS System and other Back-Office Technology System $5,000 -$50,000
Audio-Visual Equipment $20,000 - $40,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $10,000 - $15,000
Double-Stack Hot Rocks Oven with Install $60,000 - $70,000
Additional Funds - 3 months $25,000 - $60,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $1,330,000 - $2,051,000

Create a free account to access this table and more.

Create a free account
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Mellow Mushroom provides four eligible standalone Restaurant configurations in Item 7: shell premises for a “fast-fine” fast-casual Restaurant, shell premises for a “traditional” full-service Restaurant, retrofit premises for a “traditional” full-service Restaurant, and purchased real estate with new construction for a “traditional” full-service Restaurant.

Restaurant Format Initial Investment Range
Shell Premises Provided by Landlord Under a Lease for a “Fast-Fine” Fast-Casual Restaurant Format $1,330,000 - $2,051,000
Shell Premises Provided by Landlord Under a Lease for a “Traditional” Full-Service Restaurant Format $1,695,000 - $2,916,500
Retrofit Premises Provided by Landlord Under a Lease for a “Traditional” Full-Service Restaurant Format $1,695,000 - $2,916,500
Purchase of Real Estate for Restaurant and Subsequent Build-Out and Development for a “Traditional” Full-Service Restaurant Format $2,911,000 - $4,841,500

The following table presents the estimated expenditures for shell premises provided by a landlord under a lease for a “fast-fine” fast-casual Restaurant format.

For further details concerning the listed costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $50,000
Art Package $22,000 - $30,000
Architectural Fee $25,000 - $40,000
One Month’s Rent $10,000 - $21,500
Security Deposit $10,000 - $21,500
Equipment $250,000 - $300,000
Leasehold Improvements $675,000 - $1,100,000
Signage $12,000 - $30,000
Opening Inventory $35,000 - $50,000
Small Wares $16,000 - $25,000
Pre-Opening Labor and Training Expenses $60,000 - $80,000
Insurance $5,000 -$8,000
Furniture $40,000 - $60,000
POS System and other Back-Office Technology System $5,000 -$50,000
Audio-Visual Equipment $20,000 - $40,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs $10,000 - $15,000
Double-Stack Hot Rocks Oven with Install $60,000 - $70,000
Additional Funds - 3 months $25,000 - $60,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $1,330,000 - $2,051,000

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is Mellow Mushroom's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Sign up for free to view the document.

Number of units

Mellow Mushroom had 161 total units in 2026, of which 156 were franchised-owned and 5 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

Mellow Mushroom

key competitors in the

Pizza

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Royalty fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

156

New
+
-1%
-1%

5.00%

$1,330,000

-

$2,051,000

$2,623,000

n.a.

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Training

The franchise Mellow Mushroom provides a structured and multi-phase training program for its franchisees. The training programs include:

  1. Initial Training Program: Before the restaurant opens, the franchisor trains the Managing Owner and up to two other designated individuals (which may include the potential Qualified General Manager and assistant managers). This training lasts approximately five weeks—two weeks at a training facility in Atlanta, Georgia, and three weeks at a designated training restaurant. It covers all essential aspects of restaurant operations and may include virtual or online components depending on the franchisor’s discretion.
  2. Corporate Orientation: A 3-hour classroom training session held in Atlanta, Georgia, focused on introducing the corporate structure and expectations.
  3. Brand Development Training: An 8-hour classroom session in Atlanta that covers the Mellow Mushroom brand, values, and marketing principles.
  4. Product Knowledge – Food: This consists of 35 hours of classroom training and 35 hours of on-the-job training, held both in Atlanta and in an approved training restaurant. It focuses on the food items served, preparation, and presentation.
  5. Product Knowledge – LBW (Liquor, Beer, and Wine): A total of 8 hours split evenly between classroom and on-the-job training in Atlanta and an approved restaurant setting.

Territory Protection

Mellow Mushroom grants franchisees an exclusive territory with a one-mile radius around their restaurant. Within this area, no other Mellow Mushroom restaurant will be opened during the franchise term.

However, the franchisor may still deliver products into the area, sell through other channels, and operate different businesses within the territory. Franchisees have no automatic rights to expand or open additional units in adjacent areas.

Competitors

Below are some of Mellow Mushroom's key competitors in the Pizza sector.

Angry Gene's Pizza

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$194,000 - $450,000
Revenue

?

Sign up
Undisclosed

$0

Tomaso's

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$145,000 - $282,000
Revenue

?

Sign up
Undisclosed

$0

Happy's Pizza

Franchisees

?

54
+
-4%
-4%
Investment

?

$264,000 - $619,000
Revenue

?

Sign up
Undisclosed

$1,069,000

Street Pizza

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$1,806,000 - $3,308,000
Revenue

?

Sign up
Undisclosed

$0

Cascadia Pizza Co.

Franchisees

?

3
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$347,000 - $677,000
Revenue

?

Sign up
Undisclosed

$555,000

Chanticlear Pizza

Franchisees

?

10
+
-9%
-9%
Investment

?

$247,000 - $326,000
Revenue

?

Sign up
Undisclosed

$0

Simple pricing.

For anyone looking to start a franchise

Free
Unlimited access to 3,000 franchises data.
You're on the Free plan 🎉
Sign up
Franchise fees

?

Franchise units & growth

?

Detailed investment costs

?

Revenue (AUV) and profits (Item 19)

?

Discovery call with a Franchise Expert

?

Read unlimited FDDs
Pay $49 per FDD download

?

or $49 / FDD download
Read unlimited FDDs, or pay $49 per FDD download
Search FDDs

All the franchise data you need

Find all the franchise data you're looking for, in one place

Unlimited FDD access

Access our library of 5,000+ Franchise Disclosure Documents, updated every day.

Read unlimited FDDs
Download unlimited FDDs

Transparent franchise data

Analyze financial data on 3,000 franchise brands, without diving into FDDs. Revenue, profits, growth and more.

Franchise fees
Detailed initial investment

?

Revenue
Operating Profit (EBITDA)
Sector Revenue
Sector Operating Profit