10 most frequently asked questions

• What is the typical size of your restaurants?

• Mellow Mushrooms range from 3500-6000 square feet. Our restaurants occupy free-standing buildings, end-cap spaces in shopping centers and especially unique/historic spaces.

• How much does it cost to open a store?

• The average build out costs for an existing leased space range from $926,500 to $1,385,000, which includes the Franchise Fee and Art Package, as well as all furniture, fixtures and equipment. The average start-up costs for a free standing building range from $1,666,000 to $3,050,000, which includes the Franchise Fee and Art Package, as well as all furniture, fixtures and equipment. A full breakdown can be viewed HERE

• How long is the training?
• The franchisee training program is six weeks: three weeks here in Atlanta, and another three weeks at your store when you open.
• What training and support will I receive?

• HGI offers training for the Franchisee and Senior Management team prior to opening, and trains the entire opening staff in the week leading up to your grand opening. You will not learn any cool mind tricks, but by the time we are done with you, you and your staff will be Jedi Masters. The course for franchisees takes a minimum of three weeks and is led by Jason "Yoda" Nase, a sage and experienced trainer and store operator. The three weeks are comprised of two weeks of training at our HQ in Atlanta and one week of training at an operating Mellow Mushroom. Franchisees who want to learn more, like the cool Jedi mind tricks, can elect to extend their training by working at a live site for an additional week or more. Our trainers will also spend three weeks on site at your Mellow beginning the week before your open. We will train your entire staff, front of house, kitchen, and managers, and stay at your location to assist with the first two weeks of operations. After this initial training, marketing and operations help are available on demand, and we will also visit your store periodically to offer further support.

• Can I pick my own architect?

• We have several talented architects we work with who know how to build a Mellow with the right elements. We will consider interviewing any talented, innovative architect that you present to us, but unless you know someone who is truly great, we would require you to use one of our approved firms.

• Do you select my interior designer?

• All of the architecture firms that we work with have an in house design department, and you are required to use their designer.

• Can I be my own general contractor?

• No

• Do you select my general contractor (GC)?

• No, you select three GCs for the bidding process. We will review the bids together and come to a consensus decision on who to use. If desired, we can recommend a national GC for comparative purposes

• What is the food cost percentage?

• The food cost percentage varies from store to store and is dependent on pricing as well as operational practices. A great store runs a food cost percentage between 26-28%. This percentage includes paper and chemical.

• How long does it take to open a Mellow?

• Depends. Finding the right site for your Mellow is one of the most important elements in this process, and sometimes it can take a while to find the best possible location. That being said, once a site is selected, 8-12 months

most recently asked questions

• What is the typical size of your restaurants?

• Mellow Mushrooms range from 3500-6000 square feet. Our restaurants occupy free-standing buildings, end-cap spaces in shopping centers and especially unique/historic spaces.

• How much does it cost to open a store?

• The average build out costs for an existing leased space range from $926,500 to $1,385,000, which includes the Franchise Fee and Art Package, as well as all furniture, fixtures and equipment. The average start-up costs for a free standing building range from $1,666,000 to $3,050,000, which includes the Franchise Fee and Art Package, as well as all furniture, fixtures and equipment. A full breakdown can be viewed HERE

• How long is the training?
• The franchisee training program is six weeks: three weeks here in Atlanta, and another three weeks at your store when you open.
• What training and support will I receive?

• HGI offers training for the Franchisee and Senior Management team prior to opening, and trains the entire opening staff in the week leading up to your grand opening. You will not learn any cool mind tricks, but by the time we are done with you, you and your staff will be Jedi Masters. The course for franchisees takes a minimum of three weeks and is led by Jason "Yoda" Nase, a sage and experienced trainer and store operator. The three weeks are comprised of two weeks of training at our HQ in Atlanta and one week of training at an operating Mellow Mushroom. Franchisees who want to learn more, like the cool Jedi mind tricks, can elect to extend their training by working at a live site for an additional week or more. Our trainers will also spend three weeks on site at your Mellow beginning the week before your open. We will train your entire staff, front of house, kitchen, and managers, and stay at your location to assist with the first two weeks of operations. After this initial training, marketing and operations help are available on demand, and we will also visit your store periodically to offer further support.

• Can I pick my own architect?

• We have several talented architects we work with who know how to build a Mellow with the right elements. We will consider interviewing any talented, innovative architect that you present to us, but unless you know someone who is truly great, we would require you to use one of our approved firms.