Mellow Mushroom, the psychedelic pizza franchise known for its imaginative pizzas, hand-tossed stone-baked dough and unique atmosphere, has already found a following in Indiana with its restaurant in Carmel. Now, it sees an opportunity to expand significantly throughout Indianapolis. With population growth concentrated in the metro and its surrounding suburbs, the brand believes the market can ultimately support five to six restaurants.

“Carmel gave us a real read on this part of the country,” said Jamie Cecil, vice president of franchise development at Mellow Mushroom. “Guests found us quickly and they have stayed with us. That has us looking more closely at the wider metro. We’d rather build around a restaurant that’s already connecting with its community than start from scratch in a market we don’t know.”

When considering where to grow next, Mellow Mushroom focuses on markets that can support the brand over the long term. In Indianapolis, a growing population, a diverse economy and a strong workforce are among the factors that make the region stand out as a potential market for additional restaurants.

Indianapolis offers many of those characteristics. Indy Economic Development reports a city population of more than 971,000, a labor force of approximately 528,000 and a median age of 34. The region is supported by industries ranging from technology and advanced manufacturing to life sciences, motorsports and creative businesses, giving the local economy a diverse employment base.

Much of Indiana’s recent population growth has been centered in and around Indianapolis. Marion County and its five largest neighboring counties added about 104,000 residents between 2020 and 2025, representing 57% of the state’s population growth. Hamilton County, home to Mellow Mushroom’s Carmel location, grew 10.9% during that time, while Hendricks and Johnson counties grew 10.2% and 7.4%, respectively.

“We look for places where people are moving in and putting down roots,” Cecil said. “Indianapolis has that. The suburbs are absorbing most of the state’s growth, and the region has a broad enough economy that we’re not dependent on one industry.”

Indianapolis also loves pizza. A 2025 study found that Indianapolis-area consumers order pizza an average of 4.38 times per month, with celebrations among the occasions when they are most likely to order it. That fits well with Mellow Mushroom’s approach to creating restaurants where families and friends can gather for more than just a quick meal.

Mellow Mushroom stands out through its handcrafted pizzas, quality ingredients and restaurants that are designed to reflect the communities they serve. Each location has its own look and feel while offering the same menu and laid-back atmosphere the brand is known for. That approach gives Mellow Mushroom the flexibility to fit into different areas throughout the Indianapolis market.

The franchise sees capacity for five to six restaurants across the broader Indianapolis market, creating an opportunity for qualified franchisees to develop a multi-unit portfolio. Each new restaurant is also expected to create approximately 40 to 50 jobs, so full development of the market could generate hundreds of local employment opportunities.

As Mellow Mushroom looks to grow in Indianapolis, the brand is seeking franchisees with strong leadership and business skills. Restaurant experience is a plus, but the company is also looking for owners who know how to build teams, provide a strong guest experience and grow a business over time.

“We’re looking for franchisees who want to build more than one restaurant,” Cecil said. “Indianapolis gives us the chance to do that. We want people who are comfortable leading a team, who understand the business side and who are ready to be involved in their restaurants. If someone sees the opportunity in this market and wants to grow with us, we’d like to have that conversation.”

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/mellow-mushroom.