Laura Smith
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is an American pizza restaurant chain founded in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, by three college students: Marc Banks Weinstein, Mike Nicholson, and Rocky Reeves. Each Mellow Mushroom store is independently owned and operated, with unique decor and, sometimes, a unifying theme. The franchise has expanded to over 200 locations across 20 states, with most locations in the Southeast. The current lone co-founder involved in the business, Marc Banks Weinstein, attributes the company's growth to organic expansion and the entrepreneurial spirit of the founders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Business | Private company |
| Industry | Restaurants and Bars |
| Specialization | Pizza |
| Other Items on the Menu | Calzones, hoagies, salads, appetizers (e.g. pretzel bites), beer |
| Number of Beers | 20-40 on draft, 50 or more bottled |
| Number of Locations | 163, 170, or over 200 |
| States in the U.S. Where Locations are Available | 19 or 20 |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Year Established | 1974 |
| Founders | Three college students from Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia |
| Current Key People | Marc "Banks" Weinstein (co-founder), Richard Brasch (CEO) |
| Former Key People | Mike Nicholson (co-founder), Rocky Reeves (co-founder) |
| Ownership | Each franchise is locally owned and operated |
| Artwork | Tie-dye and colorful mushrooms are common |
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What You'll Learn
Mellow Mushroom was founded in 1974 by three college students
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, an American pizza restaurant chain, was founded in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, by three college students. The original Mellow Mushroom was a single pizzeria located on Spring Street in Atlanta, which could fit only 19 people. The three founders, Marc "Banks" Weinstein, Mike Nicholson, and Rocky Reeves, were college-aged guys with a passion for pizza. They started with a concise menu of five pizzas, four hoagies, a chef salad, and beer, and everything was made to order. The founders had limited funds, so they purchased used equipment, and relied on friends and customers to help with the decor, often trading pizza for artwork.
The restaurant's "'hippie' mentality and eccentric philosophies were reflected in its bright colours, psychedelic art, and slightly sweet pizza crust. The first franchise outside of Atlanta opened in Athens, Georgia, near the University of Georgia. In the late 1980s, the first franchise was sold to an employee, followed by customer-owned franchises. As of 2024, Mellow Mushroom has over 160 locations across the United States, with primarily a presence in the Southeast. Each store is locally owned, operated, and decorated differently, and some locations occasionally feature live music, trivia competitions, karaoke, or bingo.
Weinstein, one of the co-founders, is still involved in the business at age 76. He tweaked the original recipe, inspired by Nick DeVito of Chicago, which is still used today. Nicholson came up with the name "Mellow Mushroom," and the trio launched the business together. The visual identity of Mellow Mushroom was defined during the early franchising phase by Atlanta artist Buddy Finethy, who created the mascot, Mel O. Mushroom, and other supporting animated characters.
Mellow Mushroom stands out among pizza chains with its unique atmosphere, funky art, and special events like Pint Nights. The chain has expanded beyond college markets to urban areas and continues to grow, offering a fun and eclectic experience to customers across the country.
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The pizza chain has over 160 locations across the US
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is an American pizza chain that was established in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia. The chain was founded by three college students, two from Georgia Tech and one from the University of Georgia. The original Mellow Mushroom was located on Spring Street in Atlanta and could fit just 19 people.
Each Mellow Mushroom store is locally owned, operated, and decorated, with a unique feel. Tie-dye and colourful mushrooms are a common theme for locations, and some restaurants feature live music, trivia competitions, karaoke, or bingo. The visual identity of Mellow Mushroom was defined by Atlanta artist Buddy Finethy, who created the chain's mascot, Mel O. Mushroom, and a supporting cast of animated characters.
Mellow Mushroom restaurants specialize in pizza but also serve calzones, hoagies, salads, appetizers such as pretzel bites, and a wide beer selection. Each restaurant typically offers 20-40 beers on tap and over 50 bottled beers. The chain is known for its hippie mentality and stands out among pizza chains with its bright colours, psychedelic art, and slightly sweet pizza crust.
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Each Mellow Mushroom store is independently owned and operated
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is an American pizza restaurant chain that was established in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia. The chain was founded by three college students—Marc "Banks" Weinstein, Mike Nicholson, and Rocky Reeves—who opened a single pizzeria on Spring Street in Atlanta. Today, Mellow Mushroom has grown into a franchise with over 160 locations across the United States, primarily in the Southeast.
Despite its expansion, each Mellow Mushroom store remains independently owned and operated, with a unique feel and decor. This means that no two Mellow Mushroom locations are exactly alike. The owners of each franchise location have the freedom to put their own stamp on their restaurant, from the decor to the unifying theme of the artwork. Tie-dye and colourful mushrooms are a common theme across many locations, reflecting the chain's hippie mentality and slightly psychedelic aesthetic.
The independent ownership and operation of each store also allow for some variations in the menu offerings. While all Mellow Mushroom locations specialize in pizza, they also offer other items such as calzones, hoagies, salads, and appetizers like pretzel bites. Each store typically features a large selection of beer, with 20–40 beers on draft and 50 or more bottled options. Some locations also offer unique menu items to commemorate special occasions, such as the chain's 50th anniversary.
In addition to the flexibility in decor and menu offerings, Mellow Mushroom store owners can also organize their own events and entertainment. Some restaurants occasionally feature live music, trivia competitions, karaoke, or bingo nights, creating a unique and engaging atmosphere for their customers. This independence in operations allows each Mellow Mushroom location to cater to the specific interests and preferences of its local community.
The independent ownership and operation of Mellow Mushroom stores have been a key factor in the chain's organic growth and success. It has allowed for the expansion of the brand while maintaining the unique and eccentric philosophies of its founders. Today, Mellow Mushroom continues to stand out among pizza chains, offering not just delicious food and drinks but also a fun and distinctive experience that keeps customers coming back for more.
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The first Mellow Mushroom opened in Atlanta, Georgia
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is an American pizza restaurant chain that first opened in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1974. The original Mellow Mushroom was located on the corner of 14th and Spring Street in Atlanta and could fit just 19 people. The pizza chain was founded by three college-aged guys with a passion for pizza: Marc "Banks" Weinstein, Mike Nicholson, and Rocky Reeves.
Weinstein, Nicholson, and Reeves were students at Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia, and they founded a business that reflected their eccentric philosophies. The original Mellow Mushroom had a concise menu of five pizzas, four hoagies, a chef salad, and beer. The founders relied on friends and customers to decorate the store, often trading pizza for artwork. They had no money, just an entrepreneurial spirit and a motivating following of friends and people in Atlanta who loved their products.
The visual identity of Mellow Mushroom was defined during the early franchising phase by Atlanta artist Buddy Finethy, who created and refined the chain's mascot, Mel O. Mushroom, as well as a supporting cast of animated characters. In the late 1980s, the first franchise was opened by an employee, followed by customer-owned franchises and then friends of employees and customers. Today, there are three corporate-owned stores, and the chain has expanded to over 200 locations across 20 states, with its headquarters remaining in Atlanta.
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The chain's mascot, Mel O. Mushroom, was created by artist Buddy Finethy
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is an American pizza restaurant chain that was established in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia. It was founded by two college students from Georgia Tech, who were later joined by a third from the University of Georgia. The chain's mascot, Mel O. Mushroom, was created by Atlanta artist Buddy Finethy. Finethy refined the design of the mascot and also created a supporting cast of animated characters.
The first Mellow Mushroom restaurant was opened on Spring Street in Atlanta, and it soon expanded to five other locations in the city. The founders relied on friends and customers to decorate the stores, often trading pizza for artwork. The original locations featured bright colours, psychedelic art, and a hippie mentality. The menu was concise, featuring five pizzas, four hoagies, a chef salad, and beer.
As the chain grew, the founders decided to franchise their stores, and the first franchise was opened in Athens, Georgia, near the University of Georgia. The franchise expanded outside of college markets to urban areas, and today there are over 200 locations across 20 states. Each store is locally owned, operated, and decorated differently, although tie-dye and colourful mushrooms are a common theme.
The Mellow Mushroom chain stands out among pizza chains with its unique atmosphere, funky art, and special events. It has a loyal following of customers who love its products and unique identity. The visual identity, including the beloved mascot Mel O. Mushroom, played a significant role in shaping the brand and its expansion across the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
Mellow Mushroom is a private company operating as a franchise under the banner of Home Grown Industries, Inc. of Georgia. Each franchise is locally owned and operated, with its unique feel.
Mellow Mushroom was founded in 1974 by three college students from Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia. Marc "Banks" Weinstein, Mike Nicholson, and Rocky Reeves.
Mellow Mushroom has between 163 and 170 locations across 19-20 states.
The first Mellow Mushroom was opened on Spring Street in Atlanta, Georgia.
