Michael Davis
Mellow Mushroom, an Atlanta-based pizza chain, has been facing closures across the United States. The once-popular restaurant, known for its quirky, psychedelic atmosphere and plant-based menu options, has seen a decline in recent years, with customers citing issues ranging from poor service to questionable management. The closure of the Mellow Mushroom locations has left fans disappointed, with many expressing their fond memories of the unique pizzeria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 16th Street Mall, Downtown |
| Type of Business | Pizza Chain |
| Year of Closure | 2025 |
| Previous Issues | Forgetting orders, poor service, long wait times |
| Other Closed Locations | Coralville, Iowa; Memphis, Tennessee; Nashville, Tennessee |
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What You'll Learn
Poor service and long wait times
While the exact reasons for the closure of Mellow Mushroom remain unknown, several customers have expressed disappointment over the restaurant's poor service and long wait times.
One customer shared their experience of routinely long waits, stating that it would often take 30-45 minutes to receive a single pizza. They also mentioned that the waiters were consistently poor, with orders being forgotten or incorrect. Another customer recounted a similar experience, noting that it took their friends over an hour to receive their food, and one person in their group never received their order at all.
Former employees of Mellow Mushroom also provided insight into the issues plaguing the restaurant. One employee shared that the general manager was homeless and struggled with substance abuse issues. Additionally, there were frequent staffing problems, with employees smoking during work hours and failing to fulfill their responsibilities. This resulted in a majority of the managerial staff becoming burnt out and quitting within the first five months of 2022.
The combination of poor service, long wait times, and managerial challenges likely contributed to the decline in customer satisfaction and may have played a role in the closure of Mellow Mushroom. However, it is important to note that other factors, such as understaffing and renovation needs, were also cited as reasons for the closure.
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The owner's legal troubles
The Mellow Mushroom restaurant chain has faced several closures, with customers citing poor service, long wait times, and questionable food quality as reasons for its decline in popularity. However, the legal troubles of one of its owners, Andrew Knudson, also contributed to the decline of the Mellow Mushroom brand.
In 2018, Knudson was arrested for slapping an employee's bottom. This incident likely damaged the reputation of the Mellow Mushroom restaurant, as customers may have associated Knudson's inappropriate behavior with the brand's culture or values. Despite this, Knudson remained involved with the business.
Unfortunately, Knudson's legal troubles did not end there. In 2020, he was arrested again, this time for threatening to shoot his estranged wife. This incident occurred two years after the first, indicating ongoing issues that reflected negatively on the brand. Following this second incident, the restaurant asserted that Knudson was no longer involved with the business.
The impact of these legal troubles on the Mellow Mushroom brand was significant. Customers may have lost trust in the brand, especially if they felt that the brand was indirectly supporting Knudson's actions or behavior. Additionally, the negative media attention surrounding Knudson's legal issues could have deterred potential customers, leading to a decline in patronage and revenue for the Mellow Mushroom restaurants.
The reputation of a business owner can significantly impact a company's success. In this case, Knudson's actions likely played a role in the decline of the Mellow Mushroom chain, contributing to its closure in various locations. While other factors, such as poor service and management, also contributed to the brand's decline, Knudson's legal troubles created a challenging environment for the business to thrive.
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The pandemic
Another Mellow Mushroom location in Coralville, Iowa, also closed in 2023, after almost nine years of service. This closure may have been influenced by a series of controversies involving the owner, Andrew Knudson, who was arrested in 2018 and again in 2020 for separate incidents. The restaurant claimed that Knudson was no longer involved with the business after the second incident, but the damage to its reputation may have contributed to its eventual closure.
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The last remaining Colorado outpost
The Mellow Mushroom in Colorado has closed its doors after 15 years. It was the last remaining outpost of the Atlanta-based pizza chain in the state. At its peak, Mellow Mushroom had three locations in Colorado, with a third in Lone Tree. However, by 2018, the downtown restaurant was the last remaining outpost. The closure of the Colorado location is just one of several recent closures for the chain, with other locations in Memphis and Coralville also shutting down.
The Mellow Mushroom in Colorado was located on the ground floor of the Tabor Center. It was part of a chain that was founded in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, with each restaurant locally owned and operated. The chain was known for its quirky, psychedelic atmosphere and plant-based menu options, including vegan-friendly pretzels, salads, and pizzas.
The Colorado outpost of Mellow Mushroom was owned by a group of franchisees who sold the stores back to Home Grown Industries of Georgia, Mellow Mushroom's franchisor, in 2018. One of the original co-owners, Morris Purcel, had planned to open 15 locations throughout Colorado over several years. However, those plans never came to fruition, and the downtown location was the only one remaining by 2025.
The closure of the Mellow Mushroom in Colorado is a loss for fans of the chain, who will now have to find a replacement for their favourite pizza spot. It also leaves a vacancy on the 16th Street Mall, which has seen several other restaurants close in recent years, including locally-owned spots like Bisto LeRoux and YumCha. It remains to be seen what new restaurants or local owners will move into the space vacated by Mellow Mushroom.
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The search for new tenants
The new tenant should aim to bring something unique to the table, filling the gap left by Mellow Mushroom and offering something distinct from the other dining options in the area. Ideally, the new restaurant would be locally owned, bringing a fresh perspective and a distinct identity to the mall's dining scene. This could be a chance for a local entrepreneur to showcase their culinary vision and create a destination dining spot that attracts both locals and tourists.
The space itself presents an enticing opportunity for prospective tenants. Located on the ground floor of the Tabor Center, the restaurant enjoys prime real estate in a busy area. The new tenant will benefit from high foot traffic and the potential for a large customer base. The physical size and layout of the space also offer flexibility for different concepts and themes.
When considering potential tenants, it is essential to keep in mind the area's history and the needs and preferences of the surrounding community. The new restaurant should aim to fill any gaps in the current dining options, providing a cuisine or dining experience that is currently lacking in the area. For example, there may be a demand for a restaurant specialising in local, sustainable ingredients or one that caters specifically to plant-based diets, given the previous tenant's vegan-friendly options.
Additionally, the new tenant should be well-aligned with the culture and values of the community. A business that can engage with and contribute to the local culture will be well-received. For instance, a restaurant that sources ingredients from local producers or collaborates with nearby breweries or wineries could be a welcome addition. The ideal tenant will not only benefit from the space but also enhance the surrounding area, creating a symbiotic relationship with the community.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Mellow Mushroom has closed its restaurants in several locations, including Colorado, Nashville, Memphis, and Coralville, Iowa.
There are several reasons why Mellow Mushroom restaurants closed down. Some customers complained about poor service and long waiting times. In addition, the owner of the Coralville location, Andrew Knudson, was arrested in 2018 and 2020 for separate incidents, which may have negatively impacted the business.
It appears that some Mellow Mushroom locations remain operational, as indicated by customers discussing their experiences at specific branches. However, the exact number and locations of currently operating Mellow Mushroom restaurants are unclear and may have changed since the last available reports.
The Mellow Mushroom location on 16th Street Mall in downtown Colorado closed in 2025 after fifteen years. It was the last remaining outpost of the Atlanta-based pizza chain in the state.
