Mellow Mushroom vs Melting Pot®
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Mellow Mushroom and Melting Pot® are full-service restaurants franchises. Mellow Mushroom requires an investment of $1.3M – $2.9M while Melting Pot® requires $1.6M – $2.7M. In terms of revenue, Mellow Mushroom reports higher average unit revenue at $2.7M. On SBA loan performance, Mellow Mushroom has a lower charge-off rate (15.0%) compared to Melting Pot® (29.3%). FranchiseVerdict rates Mellow Mushroom B (Above average) and Melting Pot® C (Average).
| Metric | Mellow Mushroom | Melting Pot® |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | BAbove averageAbove average | CAverageAverage |
| Investment Range | $1.3M – $2.9M | $1.6M – $2.7M |
| Franchise Fee | $50K | $45K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $2.7M | $2.2M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | 15.0% (142 loans) | 29.3% (75 loans) |
| Total Units | 161 | 89 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | N/A | N/A |
| Year Began Franchising | 1987 | 1984 |
| FDD Year | 2026 | 2025 |
Investment Range
$1.3M – $2.9M
$1.6M – $2.7M
Franchise Fee
$50K
$45K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$2.7M
$2.2M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
15.0% (142 loans)
29.3% (75 loans)
Total Units
161
89
Unit Growth (YoY)
N/A
N/A
Year Began Franchising
1987
1984
FDD Year
2026
2025