Since 1974, Georgia-based pizza chain Mellow Mushroom has blazed a unique franchising trail. 

Thanks in large part to their approach to local ownership, Mellow Mushroom franchise restaurants are often defined by an unparalleled creative aesthetic driven by distinctive design that emphasizes the importance of local communities, setting each restaurant apart.

Reaching No. 151 on the Franchise Times Top 400 list, Mellow Mushroom remains primed for growth.

The Franchise Times Top 400 is based largely upon global system-wide sales, further utilizing company reports, SEC data filings and updated Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD). The list is made up of legally franchised, U.S.-based companies (those with a U.S. headquarters or a minimum of 10% of total units located in America) where franchisees own 15% of total units.

Beginning as a local pizza joint in Atlanta, Georgia, five decades ago — founded by a trio of college students near the Georgia Tech campus — Mellow Mushroom now boasts nearly 170 locations in 15 states.

“Even with 170 locations, there are no two stores alike,” said Ahsan Jiva, executive vice president of strategy and transformation. “We try to build stores that are a reflection of the communities, but also the brand. It provides our owners with freedom within a framework. We're primarily franchised, so a lot of it has to do with how our local owners and operators engage in the community.”

Being recognized by Franchise Times for inclusion in this year’s list of the top 400 franchises isn’t just a measurement of success; it’s validation of philosophy, proving that, for Mellow Mushroom, authenticity remains a valuable asset capable of driving franchise growth.

Read the full 2025 Top 400 list here.

For more information on franchising with Mellow Mushroom, visit: https://1851franchise.com/mellow-mushroom.