Honest vs Mellow Mushroom
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Honest and Mellow Mushroom are full-service restaurants franchises. Honest requires an investment of $1.9M – $2.7M while Mellow Mushroom requires $1.7M – $2.9M. Mellow Mushroom discloses average revenue of $2.7M; Honest makes no financial performance representation in its Item 19, which is voluntary under the FTC Franchise Rule. Mellow Mushroom has SBA lending data on file with a 15.0% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Honest B (Above average) and Mellow Mushroom B (Above average).
| Metric | Honest | Mellow Mushroom |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | BAbove average | BAbove average |
| Investment Range | $1.9M – $2.7M | $1.7M – $2.9M |
| Franchise Fee | $25K | $50K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.5% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | N/ANo Item 19 representation | $2.7M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | Limited data | 15.0% (142 loans) |
| Total Units | 40 | 161 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | +4 units | -5 units |
| Year Began Franchising | 2016 | 1987 |
| FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$1.9M – $2.7M
$1.7M – $2.9M
Franchise Fee
$25K
$50K
Royalty Rate
5.5%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
N/ANo Item 19 representation
$2.7M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
Limited data
15.0% (142 loans)
Total Units
40
161
Unit Growth (YoY)
+4 units
-5 units
Year Began Franchising
2016
1987
FDD Year
2025
2026