Mellow Mushroom's Impressive Reach Across America

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 159 locations across the United States, with a heavy concentration in its home state of Georgia, which boasts about 27% of all Mellow Mushroom restaurants in the country. Outside of Georgia, Mellow Mushroom can be found in over 17 states, including Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama. The chain's unique selling point lies in its locally owned and operated stores, each with its distinct decor, often featuring tie-dye and colourful mushrooms as a common theme.

Mellow Mushroom has 159-181 locations across the US

Mellow Mushroom, the American pizza restaurant chain, has established itself across the US with between 159 and 181 locations. The chain, which began in 1974 as a single pizzeria in Atlanta, Georgia, has since expanded its reach to around 20 states.

Georgia remains the state with the highest concentration of Mellow Mushroom restaurants, with 43 locations accounting for approximately 27% of all Mellow Mushroom restaurants in the US. This is followed by Florida, with about 13% of the total number of restaurants, and North Carolina, with about 12%.

The Mellow Mushroom franchise model operates under the banner of Home Grown Industries, Inc. of Georgia, with each store being locally owned and operated, resulting in unique decorations and themes for each location. The restaurants specialise in pizza but also offer a range of other menu items, including calzones, hoagies, salads, and appetizers like pretzel bites. A wide selection of beer is also typically available, with stores offering 20-40 beers on draft and over 50 bottled options.

The chain has continued to expand its presence across the US, with over 200 locations reported in 2025. This expansion has seen Mellow Mushroom venture beyond college markets and into urban areas such as Jacksonville, Florida, and Denver, Colorado. The brand's visual identity, including its mascot, Mel O. Mushroom, was created by Atlanta artist Buddy Finethy during the early franchising phase.

The state with the most locations is Georgia

With a strong presence in the Southeast and a smattering of locations across the country, Mellow Mushroom has carved out a unique space in the pizza landscape. As of 2023, there are over 160 Mellow Mushroom locations in the United States, with the highest concentration in the chain's home state of Georgia.

Georgia is indeed the heart and soul of Mellow Mushroom, with an impressive 31 locations scattered across the state. From its humble beginnings in Atlanta, Mellow Mushroom has spread its groovy vibe and delicious pies throughout Georgia, capturing the hearts and taste buds of locals and visitors alike. Each location embraces the brand's signature quirky aesthetic, featuring vibrant murals, eclectic decor, and a laid-back atmosphere that invites guests to kick back and enjoy a slice of pizza paradise.

The Atlanta area, in particular, boasts a robust collection of Mellow Mushroom restaurants, with each spot reflecting the unique character of its neighborhood while staying true to the brand's roots. Whether it's the vibrant Midtown location, the family-friendly outpost in Alpharetta, or the eclectic vibe of the Decatur spot, each restaurant offers a distinct experience while delivering that signature Mellow Mushroom taste. Beyond the Atlanta metro area, Georgia's Mellow Mushrooms stretch from Augusta to Savannah, ensuring that residents and travelers across the state can get their fix of stone-baked pizza goodness.

Mellow Mushroom has become a beloved fixture in Georgia's dining scene, offering not just delicious food but also a unique dining experience that keeps customers coming back for more. The brand's commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients, coupled with its fun and funky ambiance, has fostered a strong and loyal following. Whether it's a family dinner, a post-game meal with teammates, or a casual date night, Mellow Mushroom has solidified its place as a go-to choice for Georgians seeking a dining experience that's as memorable as it is mouthwateringly good.

The state's embrace of Mellow Mushroom reflects a perfect harmony between the brand's personality and the local culture. Georgia, known for its Southern hospitality and vibrant food scene, has welcomed the pizzeria's quirky charm and elevated pizza experience. As Mellow Mushroom continues to expand and evolve, its Georgia locations remain a testament to the brand's success and a shining example of how a unique concept can thrive and capture the hearts of a diverse and discerning audience. So, whether you're a local or a visitor, when that Mellow Mushroom craving hits, you're never far from a slice of pizza perfection in the great state of Georgia.

The first franchise outside of Atlanta was in Athens, Georgia

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is an American pizza restaurant chain that was established in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia. It started as a single pizzeria and gradually expanded to six locations in the Atlanta area. After 12 years of operating these original locations, the founders decided to franchise the business, and the first franchise outside of Atlanta was opened in Athens, Georgia, near the University of Georgia.

The founders of Mellow Mushroom, including Marc "Banks" Weinstein, were college students with a passion for pizza. They relied on friends and customers to help with store decorations, often trading pizza for artwork. The founders described themselves as hippies, and sustainability was a focus from the beginning. For example, they used natural cardboard pizza boxes instead of bleached ones to reduce their environmental impact.

The Mellow Mushroom franchise gradually expanded beyond Atlanta and Georgia, with over 200 locations across 20 states as of 2024. The state with the highest number of Mellow Mushroom restaurants is Georgia, with 43 locations as of April 2024. However, the exact number of locations varies across sources, with some mentioning 159, 163, or 170 restaurants throughout the United States.

The Mellow Mushroom restaurants specialize in pizza but also offer other items such as calzones, hoagies, salads, and appetizers. Each store is locally owned and operated, with unique decorations and artwork. Tie-dye and colourful mushrooms are a common theme across locations. Some restaurants also feature entertainment like live music, trivia competitions, karaoke, or bingo.

The original Mellow Mushroom was a single pizzeria in Atlanta, Georgia

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, an American pizza restaurant chain, began in 1974 as a single pizzeria in Atlanta, Georgia. The original Mellow Mushroom was founded by two college students from Georgia Tech, who were later joined by a third founder from the University of Georgia. The founders were self-described "hippies making pizza", and their restaurant attracted a creative crowd. The original menu was concise, featuring five pizzas, four hoagies, a chef salad, and beer.

The first location was in Midtown, Atlanta, and the chain expanded to include five more original locations in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Avondale Estates, on Buford Highway, and near Emory. The founders lacked funds, so they purchased used equipment, and relied on friends and customers to decorate the stores, often trading pizza for artwork. They also lacked cell phones, which made staffing their growing number of locations difficult.

After 12 years, the original partners sold five of their stores within 45 days, and a bidding war over the sixth location resulted in the launch of a seventh store. The company grew from there, and today there are over 200 locations across 20 states, with 43 restaurants in Georgia alone. Each store is locally owned, operated, and decorated, and they often feature live music, trivia competitions, karaoke, or bingo.

Mellow Mushroom has since expanded its menu, offering calzones, appetizers, and a wide beer selection, with 20-40 beers on draft and 50 or more bottled. The chain's mascot, Mel O. Mushroom, was created by Atlanta artist Buddy Finethy, who also designed the supporting cast of animated characters.

The chain has expanded to over 200 locations in 20 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 over 200 locations across 20 states. Each store is locally owned and operated, with unique decorations, although tie-dye and colourful mushrooms are a common theme.

The state with the highest number of Mellow Mushroom locations is Georgia, with 43 restaurants, which is around 27% of all Mellow Mushroom restaurants in the US. This is followed by Florida, with about 13% of the total number of restaurants, and North Carolina, with about 12%.

The Mellow Mushroom chain began expanding outside of college markets and into urban areas in 2000, with locations in Jacksonville, Florida, and Denver, Colorado. The chain now has locations in at least 17 states and territories, with sources listing up to 181 locations.

The expansion of the Mellow Mushroom chain to over 200 locations across 20 states has allowed the brand to gain a wide reach and establish itself as a popular pizza restaurant choice in the US. With each store offering a unique experience, the chain has cultivated a dedicated customer base that enjoys its specialty pizzas, calzones, hoagies, salads, and appetizers, as well as its wide beer selection.

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