Mellow Mushroom vs Famous Dave’s
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Mellow Mushroom and Famous Dave’s are full-service restaurants franchises. Mellow Mushroom requires an investment of $1.3M – $4.8M while Famous Dave’s requires $71K – $6.1M. In terms of revenue, Mellow Mushroom reports higher average unit revenue at $2.7M. On SBA loan performance, Famous Dave’s has a lower charge-off rate (11.1%) compared to Mellow Mushroom (15.0%). FranchiseVerdict rates Mellow Mushroom B (Above Average) and Famous Dave’s F (Bottom Quintile).
| Metric | Mellow Mushroom | Famous Dave’s |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | BAbove AverageAbove Average | FBottom QuintileBottom Quintile |
| Investment Range | $1.3M – $4.8M | $71K – $6.1M |
| Franchise Fee | $50K | $45K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $2.7M | $2.4M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 15.0% (142 loans) | 11.1% (15 loans) |
| Total Units | 161 | 116 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1987 | 1998 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2024 |
Investment Range
$1.3M – $4.8M
$71K – $6.1M
Franchise Fee
$50K
$45K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$2.7M
$2.4M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
15.0% (142 loans)
11.1% (15 loans)
Total Units
161
116
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1987
1998
FDD Year
2026
2024