Brad Harper has spent his entire life in the restaurant business. Growing up in Athens, Georgia, he remembers Mellow Mushroom as one of the first pizza places that sparked his interest in food and hospitality. Years later, when the brand began exploring opportunities in Ocala, Florida, Harper jumped at the chance to bring that same energy and creativity to his community.
“I’ve always been a fan of Mellow Mushroom,” Harper said. “When I heard they were looking at the Ocala area, I got an interview, and they brought me in as a franchisee. I like franchising — the support, the networking — and Mellow has always stood out.”
Before joining Mellow Mushroom, Harper spent more than two decades as a Zaxby’s franchisee, gaining firsthand experience managing multiple restaurant brands. That background helped him appreciate Mellow Mushroom’s distinctive model — one that offers structure without stifling creativity.
“Even though it’s a franchise, they give you the latitude to be somewhat of an independent operator,” he said. “That flexibility is appreciated by the operators. You can design each location differently, fit it into your market. They're open to ideas.”
Harper’s restaurant group now oversees several franchise concepts, each with its own management team and operational focus. His approach to multi-brand growth centers on empowering store-level leaders while maintaining a strong administrative foundation.
“Each of our restaurants has its own general manager and team,” Harper explained. “They’re responsible for running their stores, and we provide oversight and support so they can be effective. Our above-store team makes sure each brand’s rules and procedures are followed.”
Harper’s strategy also involves diversifying restaurant locations to balance performance year-round. “Some of our stores are downtown, some near residential areas, and some off the interstate,” he said. “That way, if travel traffic is down, our in-town locations pick up, and vice versa. It’s all about giving every restaurant a chance to succeed.”
When evaluating a new brand, Harper looks closely at the franchisor's adaptability. “Every location is 100% different and you can evaluate and study all the data but it does not mean that the restaurant that you open is going to be a smashing success," he said. "Sometimes you open one in an offbeat location and it turns out to be a smashing success and there's really no rhyme or reason."
Community engagement is just as important as operational excellence at Harper's restaurants. He works to remind customers that franchise ownership is still local ownership.
“People sometimes think franchises aren’t local, but we live here,” he said. “Our managers live here. Our kids go to school here. Just because it’s a franchise doesn’t mean it’s corporate from another state. We’re your neighbors, and we’re running these restaurants for our community.”
That local connection helps build trust while reinforcing the consistency that draws guests back. “With a franchise, you know what to expect — whether you’re in Knoxville or Ocala,” Harper said.
Harper’s restaurant group is now in growth mode, exploring real estate opportunities to expand several of its concepts — sometimes side by side.
“We’re trying to pair some of our brands together,” he said. “Instead of one-acre parcels, we’re looking at larger sites where we can put a Mellow Mushroom next to a Zaxby’s, for example. You get two strong, recognized brands together, and that creates a draw that guests really respond to.”
Harper says the restaurant portfolio continues to be in "growth mode" right now. He sees franchising as a balance of independence and structure, allowing him to innovate while relying on systems that work.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/mellow-mushroom.
Mellow Mushroom
SPONSORED
Restaurant operator and Mellow Mushroom franchisee Brad Harper has built a multi-brand portfolio focused on flexibility, consistency, and community connection.
Brad Harper has spent his entire life in the restaurant business. Growing up in Athens, Georgia, he remembers Mellow Mushroom as one of the first pizza places that sparked his interest in food and hospitality. Years later, when the brand began exploring opportunities in Ocala, Florida, Harper jumped at the chance to bring that same energy and creativity to his community.
“I’ve always been a fan of Mellow Mushroom,” Harper said. “When I heard they were looking at the Ocala area, I got an interview, and they brought me in as a franchisee. I like franchising — the support, the networking — and Mellow has always stood out.”
Before joining Mellow Mushroom, Harper spent more than two decades as a Zaxby’s franchisee, gaining firsthand experience managing multiple restaurant brands. That background helped him appreciate Mellow Mushroom’s distinctive model — one that offers structure without stifling creativity.
“Even though it’s a franchise, they give you the latitude to be somewhat of an independent operator,” he said. “That flexibility is appreciated by the operators. You can design each location differently, fit it into your market. They're open to ideas.”
Harper’s restaurant group now oversees several franchise concepts, each with its own management team and operational focus. His approach to multi-brand growth centers on empowering store-level leaders while maintaining a strong administrative foundation.
“Each of our restaurants has its own general manager and team,” Harper explained. “They’re responsible for running their stores, and we provide oversight and support so they can be effective. Our above-store team makes sure each brand’s rules and procedures are followed.”
Harper’s strategy also involves diversifying restaurant locations to balance performance year-round. “Some of our stores are downtown, some near residential areas, and some off the interstate,” he said. “That way, if travel traffic is down, our in-town locations pick up, and vice versa. It’s all about giving every restaurant a chance to succeed.”
When evaluating a new brand, Harper looks closely at the franchisor's adaptability. “Every location is 100% different and you can evaluate and study all the data but it does not mean that the restaurant that you open is going to be a smashing success," he said. "Sometimes you open one in an offbeat location and it turns out to be a smashing success and there's really no rhyme or reason."
Community engagement is just as important as operational excellence at Harper's restaurants. He works to remind customers that franchise ownership is still local ownership.
“People sometimes think franchises aren’t local, but we live here,” he said. “Our managers live here. Our kids go to school here. Just because it’s a franchise doesn’t mean it’s corporate from another state. We’re your neighbors, and we’re running these restaurants for our community.”
That local connection helps build trust while reinforcing the consistency that draws guests back. “With a franchise, you know what to expect — whether you’re in Knoxville or Ocala,” Harper said.
Harper’s restaurant group is now in growth mode, exploring real estate opportunities to expand several of its concepts — sometimes side by side.
“We’re trying to pair some of our brands together,” he said. “Instead of one-acre parcels, we’re looking at larger sites where we can put a Mellow Mushroom next to a Zaxby’s, for example. You get two strong, recognized brands together, and that creates a draw that guests really respond to.”
Harper says the restaurant portfolio continues to be in "growth mode" right now. He sees franchising as a balance of independence and structure, allowing him to innovate while relying on systems that work.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/mellow-mushroom.
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