Mellow Mushroom vs Honest
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Mellow Mushroom and Honest are full-service restaurants franchises. Mellow Mushroom requires an investment of $1.7M – $2.9M while Honest requires $1.9M – $2.7M. 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 Mellow Mushroom B (Above average) and Honest B (Above average).
| Metric | Mellow Mushroom | Honest |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | BAbove average | BAbove average |
| Investment Range | $1.7M – $2.9M | $1.9M – $2.7M |
| Franchise Fee | $50K | $25K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 5.5% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $2.7M | N/ANo Item 19 representation |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 15.0% (142 loans) | Limited data |
| Total Units | 161 | 40 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | -5 units | +4 units |
| Year Began Franchising | 1987 | 2016 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2025 |
Investment Range
$1.7M – $2.9M
$1.9M – $2.7M
Franchise Fee
$50K
$25K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
5.5%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$2.7M
N/ANo Item 19 representation
SBA Charge-Off Rate
15.0% (142 loans)
Limited data
Total Units
161
40
Unit Growth (YoY)
-5 units
+4 units
Year Began Franchising
1987
2016
FDD Year
2026
2025