Laura Smith
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is an American pizza restaurant chain that was established in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia. The chain has since expanded to over 200 locations across 20 states, with each store being locally owned and operated, featuring unique decorations and sometimes a unifying theme, such as tie-dye and colourful mushrooms. The number of locations varies across states, with Georgia having the most Mellow Mushroom restaurants, followed by Florida and North Carolina.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Locations | Over 200 |
| Number of States | 20 |
| Number of Locations in Georgia | Several dozen |
| Total Number of Locations in 2024 | 159 |
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What You'll Learn
Mellow Mushroom has over 150 locations
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is an American pizza restaurant chain headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, where it was established in 1974 as a single pizzeria. The chain has since expanded to over 150 locations across the United States, with a presence in at least 17 states. The first franchise outside of Atlanta was in Athens, Georgia, and there are now several dozen locations in Georgia alone.
Beginning in 2000, Mellow Mushroom began expanding outside of college markets and into urban areas. This expansion has led to the chain's presence in states such as Florida and North Carolina, with a total of over 150 locations across the country. Each Mellow Mushroom restaurant is locally owned and operated, with unique decorations and artwork, often featuring tie-dye and colourful mushrooms.
The chain specializes in pizza but also offers a variety of other menu items, including calzones, hoagies, salads, and appetizers like pretzel bites. They also offer a wide selection of beer, typically with 20-40 beers on draft and 50 or more bottled options. Some locations occasionally feature live music, trivia competitions, karaoke, or bingo nights.
Mellow Mushroom's visual identity, including its mascot, Mel O. Mushroom, and supporting cast of animated characters, was created by Atlanta artist Buddy Finethy during the early franchising phase. With over 150 locations and a unique, fun brand identity, Mellow Mushroom has established itself as a successful and expanding restaurant chain in the United States.
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The chain has a presence in 17-20 US states
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is an American pizza restaurant chain that was established in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia. The chain has since expanded to a total of over 150 locations across the United States, serving a variety of pizzas, calzones, hoagies, salads, appetizers, and beer.
The chain has a presence in at least 17 US states, with some sources stating that this number is as high as 20. Mellow Mushroom's expansion strategy has targeted both college markets and urban areas. For example, in Georgia, there are several dozen locations, including the original Atlanta pizzeria and a franchise near the University of Georgia in Athens. Outside of Georgia, Mellow Mushroom can be found in states such as Florida (Jacksonville) and Colorado (Denver).
The chain's visual identity, including its mascot, Mel O. Mushroom, was created by Atlanta artist Buddy Finethy during the early franchising phase. Each Mellow Mushroom store is locally owned, operated, and decorated, sometimes with a unifying theme, often involving tie-dye and colourful mushrooms. Many locations also offer entertainment such as live music, trivia competitions, karaoke, and bingo.
With its expansion across multiple states, Mellow Mushroom has become a prominent player in the American pizza restaurant landscape, offering a unique blend of food, beer, and entertainment to its customers. The chain's presence in 17-20 states showcases its successful expansion and broad appeal across regional markets in the United States.
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It began in Atlanta, Georgia
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is an American pizza restaurant chain and franchise under the banner of Home Grown Industries, Inc. of Georgia. Each store is locally owned, operated, and decorated differently, often with a unifying theme. Tie-dye and colourful mushrooms are a common theme for locations. Some restaurants occasionally feature live music, trivia competitions, karaoke, or bingo.
The chain has expanded to over 200 locations across more than 17 states, with several dozen locations in Atlanta and elsewhere in Georgia. Mellow Mushroom restaurants specialize in pizza but also serve calzones, hoagies, salads, appetizers, and a wide beer selection. They typically offer 20-40 beers on draft and 50 or more bottled.
The company began expanding outside of college markets in 2000, moving into urban areas such as Jacksonville, Florida, and Denver, Colorado.
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Each Mellow Mushroom is differently decorated
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is an American pizza restaurant chain with a unique decor in each of its locations. The chain was established in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, and has since expanded to over 200 locations across 20 states, each with its own distinct character. While the restaurants share a common theme, such as tie-dye and colourful mushrooms, they are all locally owned and operated, with unique artwork and decor.
The first franchise outside of Atlanta opened in Athens, Georgia, near the University of Georgia. There are now several dozen locations in Georgia, as well as a significant presence in states like Florida and North Carolina. The chain has continued to expand, reaching 159 locations by 2024 and growing to 170 locations throughout the United States.
Each Mellow Mushroom restaurant reflects the individuality of its local owners and operators. While the restaurants share a common theme, the interpretation and execution vary across locations. Some restaurants may feature live music, trivia competitions, karaoke, or bingo, adding to the unique atmosphere of each site. The decor and ambiance of each Mellow Mushroom are tailored to the specific location, creating a distinct experience for customers as they visit different franchises.
The visual identity of Mellow Mushroom has been influenced by the artist Buddy Finethy, who created the chain's mascot, Mel O. Mushroom. Finethy's work helped define the early franchising phase, and his animated characters became synonymous with the brand. However, each franchise owner has the freedom to interpret these characters and themes in their own way, resulting in a diverse range of artistic expressions across the various locations.
The unique decor of each Mellow Mushroom restaurant enhances the dining experience, offering customers a visual treat alongside their culinary offerings. The locally owned and operated nature of the franchises fosters a sense of community and individuality, ensuring that each Mellow Mushroom leaves a lasting impression on its patrons. The combination of delicious food, a wide selection of beer, and distinctive artwork makes each Mellow Mushroom a destination worth visiting.
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They serve pizza, calzones, hoagies, salads and more
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is an American pizza restaurant chain with a wide variety of food and beverage options. The restaurant chain, established in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, has since expanded to over 200 locations across 20 states, each store being locally owned and operated. While they specialise in pizza, they also serve calzones, hoagies, salads, and appetizers like pretzel bites. Each Mellow Mushroom restaurant typically offers a large selection of beer, with 20-40 beers on draft and at least 50 bottled beers.
The restaurant's unique atmosphere is characterised by its tie-dye and colourful mushroom themes, with artwork varying across locations. Some restaurants also offer entertainment, including live music, trivia competitions, karaoke, and bingo.
Mellow Mushroom's early franchising phase defined its visual identity, with Atlanta artist Buddy Finethy creating its mascot, Mel O. Mushroom, and a supporting cast of animated characters. The first franchise outside of Atlanta opened in Athens, Georgia, near the University of Georgia, and the chain has continued to expand across the country.
The chain operates as a franchise under Home Grown Industries, Inc. of Georgia, with a presence in 17 states and territories across the United States. As of 2024, there were 159 locations, with Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina having the highest concentrations. Mellow Mushroom has successfully established itself as a popular restaurant chain, offering not only a diverse menu but also a fun and engaging dining experience for its customers.
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Frequently asked questions
Mellow Mushroom has over 200 locations across 20 states in the US.
In 2024, Mellow Mushroom had 159 locations across the US.
Georgia has the highest number of Mellow Mushroom restaurants, with 27% of the total number of locations.
It is unclear which state has the lowest number of Mellow Mushroom restaurants, but the US Virgin Islands do not have any locations.
No, each Mellow Mushroom restaurant is locally owned, operated, and decorated differently, although they sometimes feature a unifying theme such as tie-dye and colourful mushrooms.
