Mellow Mushroom Farragut approaches 25 years
“We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate 50 years (of the brand),” said Scott Mathis, owner of Mellow Mushroom Farragut franchise at 635 N. Campbell Station Road.
“Our team here in Farragut is incredible and looking forward to sharing the celebratory menu with our guests.
“We are so grateful for all of our guests’ support over the years and can’t wait for many more,” he added.
Mellow Mushroom Farragut opened in July 2000.
According to a press release, “Mellow Mushroom Farragut has poured over 5,000 varieties of beer in its 24 years of operation.
“They added their own online ordering channel in 2018 and new catering program,” the release stated. Additionally, it has employed more than 500 locals.
Nationally, Mellow Mushroom officially celebrates 50 years of business this year and is set to mark the golden anniversary with a kaleidoscope of celebratory events across locations now through November 2024.
“We love that we’re 50 years old,” said Anne Mejia, senior vice president of brand development at Mellow Mushroom. “Sixty percent of all restaurants fail within the first year.
“And, another 20 percent fail in the first decade, so we’ve made it five decades,” she said. “Three things have helped us get there.
“First, we sell primarily pizza, delicious pizza, and we use the same recipe to make our crust that we started with in 1974,” Mejia said.
“And, we’re fanatical about the quality of ingredients that go on our pizzas,” she added. “And we believe our guests have always understood the difference between a Mellow Mushroom pizza and any other pizza.
“Second, each one of our restaurants is unique in its design,” Mejia said, noting the Faragut restaurant has “this cool, trippy kind of vibe.”
And, “our staff wears really fun T-shirts and creates a really relaxing, inviting environment for people.”
She said the third success factor is Mellow Mushroom’s guests.
“As the commemoration of this 50th milestone begins, we want to thank the Mellow Mushroom guests who have recognized our unwavering commitment to quality pizzas, munchies, salads and more for a half century,” Mejia said. “With each Mellow Mushroom restaurant, Mellow owners have created a truly unique and very Mellow experience where guests have celebrated countless first dates, birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions throughout the last 50 years.”
Founded in 1974 by three college graduates in Atlanta, Georgia — and still privately held by one of the original founders — the brand currently operates 160-plus locations nationwide, the press release said.
“In 1987, (the owners) started franchising, and the unit in Farragut is owned by a franchisee,” Mejia said.
Beginning in June, Mellow Mushroom will commemorate the five decades with the launch of a company-wide, limited-time-only anniversary menu.
Farragut’s Mellow Mushroom is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Sunday.
For more information, visit online at mellowmushroom.com or call 865-777-6768.
