What’s Coming to Franklin & Williamson County in 2026: Restaurants, Shops & Places to Know
New restaurants, retail openings, and destination-style concepts are coming to Franklin and Williamson County in 2026, adding to the area’s growing list of places to eat, shop, and spend time. From nationally recognized brands opening their first Tennessee locations to regional and locally driven businesses expanding into the area, the year ahead brings new additions across Cool Springs, Berry Farms, McEwen Northside, Brentwood, and surrounding communities.
Here’s a look at what’s been confirmed so far, along with a few projects still taking shape and a recap of notable openings from 2025.
Downtown Franklin Business Opening in 2026
One new business has been announced for downtown Franklin, though details remain limited. More information, including an opening date and location, is expected as plans move forward.
The Franklin Butchery
The Franklin Butchery is a family-owned butcher shop coming to downtown Franklin at 129 2nd Avenue, located across the street from The Harpeth Hotel. The shop will focus on hand-cut meats, dry-aged steaks, and fresh seafood shipped directly from Maine, with all products trimmed and prepared in-house.
Emphasizing traditional butchery techniques, whole-animal use, and sustainable sourcing, The Franklin Butchery plans to serve both home cooks and food enthusiasts looking for high-quality ingredients and knowledgeable service. In addition to premium cuts, the shop will also offer house-made sandwiches and ready-to-cook items.
An opening date of January 2026 has been announced.
New Restaurants and Shops Coming to Cool Springs in 2026
Cool Springs is one of the most popular destinations in Franklin for shopping and dining. In 2026, several new restaurants and retail openings are planned for the area.
Truce
Truce is a chef-driven “fine food fast” restaurant concept founded by Williamson County resident Matt Frauenshuh. Located at 1809 Mallory Lane in Cool Springs, the all-day restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a menu centered on made-from-scratch dishes using clean, organic ingredients whenever possible.
The 4,530-square-foot space will include a dining room, a large community patio, a drive-thru, and a dedicated mobile app pickup lane. The menu is expected to feature a mix of shareables, sandwiches, salads, entrées, desserts, and freshly baked pastries, along with a full beverage program that includes coffee, smoothies, teas, and other drinks.
Truce is expected to open in spring 2026.
Pelato
Pelato, the Brooklyn Italian restaurant from Chef Anthony Scotto, is expanding to Franklin and will be located near CoolSprings Galleria in the former Party Fowl space at 1914 Galleria Blvd.
Known for its shareable small plates and bold flavors, Pelato serves familiar Brooklyn Italian dishes with a twist. The menu draws from family recipes and includes classic pasta dishes, playful cocktails and frozen drinks, desserts like cannoli chips with house-made sweet ricotta cream, and a traditional Sunday Supper.
Pelato is expected to open in early 2026.
SOS Counter
SOS Counter is a fast-casual café and eatery planned for Franklin’s Cool Springs area, led by local bakers and chefs with roots in the Sourdoughs of Somerset community. What began during the pandemic as a neighborhood sourdough bread effort quickly grew into a loyal following through weekly Kitchen Table Offerings and collaborations with local food partners.
The menu at SOS Counter will focus on seasonal salads, soups, and sandwiches, along with freshly baked sourdough breads, laminated pastries, and desserts. The café will be located at 701 Cool Springs Boulevard within the Park West development.
SOS Counter is expected to open in 2026.
Berry Farms Restaurant Opening to Watch in 2026
Berry Farms has a much-anticipated restaurant opening planned for 2026. The addition will join the existing mix of dining, residential, and retail spaces in southern Franklin.
In-N-Out Burger
In-N-Out Burger is bringing its first Tennessee restaurant to Franklin as part of the company’s expansion east of Texas. The Franklin location is under construction at 1951 Double Double Drive in the Berry Farms area and will sit next to In-N-Out’s new regional headquarters, a 100,000-square-foot corporate office currently being built nearby.
The Franklin restaurant is one of several Tennessee locations in development, including sites in Antioch, Murfreesboro, and Lebanon. Founded in California, In-N-Out Burger is known for its simple menu of burgers, fries, and shakes, and currently operates more than 385 locations across the western and southwestern U.S.
The Franklin In-N-Out Burger is expected to open in early 2026.
What’s Opening at McEwen Northside in 2026
McEwen Northside, at 4020 Aspen Grove Dr., will see additional restaurant and café openings in 2026. These additions join an existing mix of dining, retail, and office spaces within the development.
Paris Baguette
Paris Baguette is a neighborhood bakery café coming to McEwen Northside in Franklin, blending French baking traditions with South Korean influences. Known for its polished presentation, the café serves a wide selection of sweet and savory pastries, artisan breads, and cakes, along with coffee and tea drinks made to order.
The menu includes everything from croissants, quiches, and stuffed pastries to shareable breads, breakfast sandwiches, salads, and sandwiches. Paris Baguette is also known for its cakes, offering both whole cakes and slices in a variety of classic and specialty flavors.
The Franklin café will mark Paris Baguette’s first location in the city and third in Middle Tennessee, joining existing cafés in Nashville’s Gulch neighborhood and Murfreesboro.
Paris Baguette is expected to open at McEwen Northside in 2026.
Hawkers Asian Street Food
Hawkers Asian Street Food is bringing the flavors and energy of Asia’s open-air markets to McEwen Northside in Franklin. Known for bold, shareable dishes, the menu highlights street food favorites from across Asia, including Korean twice-fried wings, roti canai with curry dipping sauce, five-spice green beans, noodles, rice dishes, and skewers, along with craft cocktails, beer, and sake.
The brand opened its first Tennessee location in East Nashville in 2020 and quickly gained a following for its lively atmosphere and pan-Asian menu designed for sharing.
Hawkers Asian Street Food is expected to open in early 2026.
New Restaurants Coming to Canteen on Carothers in Franklin
Multiple restaurants are scheduled to open at Canteen on Carothers in 2026. The mixed-use development located at 800 Crescent Centre Drive in Franklin will add several new dining options in one location as these openings roll out.
Char Restaurant
Char Restaurant, the modern Southern steakhouse from 4Top Hospitality, remains planned for Franklin, marking the brand’s fifth restaurant overall and its second in the Nashville metro area, following its longtime Green Hills location.
Char Franklin is expected to occupy approximately 6,500 square feet and seat around 215 guests, with a dining room, bar, private dining space, and patio. Founded in Jackson, Mississippi, in 2001, Char is known for USDA Prime and Choice steaks, fresh seafood, Southern-style sides, classic cocktails, and a weekday meat-and-three lunch, along with a piano bar featuring live jazz in partnership with the Nashville Jazz Workshop.
Char is now targeting a 2026 opening.
Dog Haus Biergarten
Dog Haus Biergarten, a national sports bar franchise known for gourmet hot dogs, burgers, and craft beer, is planning a Franklin location at Canteen on Carothers. The restaurant will occupy approximately 2,500 square feet and include a 700-square-foot indoor-outdoor patio with a garage-style door.
Planned features include fire pits, cornhole, shuffleboard, multiple TVs for sports viewing, and a Franklin-inspired mural incorporated into the design. The menu focuses on comfort food, including burgers, hot dogs, wings, and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, paired with beer and cocktails.
An opening date for the Franklin location has not yet been announced.
PennePazze
PennePazze, a family-owned Italian kitchen, is expanding to Franklin. The restaurant is known for its open-kitchen approach and made-from-scratch Italian dishes, including fresh pasta, Roman-style pizza (pinsa), and classic comfort recipes prepared daily.
The Franklin location will feature the brand’s first full-scale Gelato Pazzo experience, serving traditional Italian gelato made by Italian chefs. Guests can also expect an on-site Italian market offering fresh and dry pastas, sauces, and imported goods, along with an outdoor patio for casual dining. PennePazze already operates locations in Nashville and Murfreesboro.
PennePazze is expected to open in early 2026.
Brentwood Openings in 2026
Brentwood Place is shaping up to be a busy spot in 2026, with two new concepts opening in 2026.
The Raven
The Raven is a bookstore and bar designed as a literary lounge that blends the feel of a cozy reading room with the social atmosphere of a neighborhood bar. Guests will find a curated selection of books alongside craft cocktails, mocktails, and small plates served in a vintage-inspired setting.
The Raven plans to host book clubs, poetry readings, trivia nights, and author events, creating a community-focused space for readers, writers, and anyone who enjoys conversation over a good drink. The venue is located at 300 Franklin Road, in the same shopping center as Nordstrom Rack and TJ Maxx.
An opening date has not yet been announced.
Crush Yard
Crush Yard is a large indoor pickleball and dining concept. The 33,400-square-foot space will include eight indoor pickleball courts, a full-service restaurant and bar, multiple TVs, an arcade, and space for private events.
In addition to open play and court rentals, Crush Yard will offer leagues, lessons, camps, and open play sessions for all skill levels. The food menu centers on comfort favorites alongside lighter options, making it as much a social hangout as an athletic venue.
Crush Yard is expected to open in early 2026.
Franklin Location To Be Announced
One business has confirmed plans to open in Franklin in 2026, but has not yet shared its exact location.
L.L. Bean
Outdoor retailer L.L. Bean is planning its first Tennessee store in Franklin as part of the brand’s eight-store national expansion. Known for outdoor apparel, footwear, gear, and home goods, the Franklin location will mark L.L. Bean’s entry into the Tennessee market.
L.L. Bean signage was recently spotted inside CoolSprings Galleria on the upper level near the former Forever 21 space. At this time, the CoolSprings Galleria website does not list L.L. Bean as a tenant, and the location has not yet appeared on L.L. Bean’s official store directory.
L.L. Bean is expected to open in Spring 2026.
Worth Watching Beyond 2026 in Williamson County
While much of the growth highlighted here focuses on Franklin and Brentwood, Spring Hill has one major project in the pipeline that residents will start seeing take shape in the coming year.
Sprouts Farmers Market
Sprouts Farmers Market is planned for Spring Hill as the anchor store at the proposed Port Royal Marketplace development, a new neighborhood shopping center near the intersection of Port Royal Road and Duplex Road. The approximately 23,000-square-foot grocery store will feature Sprouts’ familiar open layout, with fresh produce at the center, along with bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, meat and seafood, and a full-service deli.
Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with an opening projected for 2027.
What Opened in Franklin and Williamson County in 2025
Several notable restaurants, retailers, and creative spaces opened across Franklin and Williamson County in 2025, adding new options in dining, shopping, and recreation.
In downtown Franklin, Western wear brand Tecovas opened in the Old Bank Building on Public Square, offering boots, leather goods, apparel, and accessories with in-store services like monogramming and boot shines.
Also in downtown Franklin, Perenn Bakery opened in May inside the historic Boat House building along the Harpeth River. The café serves artisan pastries, sourdough bread, brunch plates, and rotisserie dishes, and has quickly become a popular spot for coffee, brunch, and dinner.
Slice House by Tony Gemignani opened in April 2025 next door to Perenn Bakery. Located in the former Americana Taphouse space, the fast-casual pizza concept marks the brand’s first location in Tennessee. Slice House serves multiple regional pizza styles by the slice or whole pie, along with pasta, wings, salads, and beer and wine, adding another high-profile dining option to downtown Franklin’s Main Street corridor.
At McEwen Northside, Culinary Dropout opened in September, bringing scratch-made comfort food, cocktails, and live music to the district, while Vuori and Oak Hall added new apparel shopping options to the growing mixed-use development.
Over at CoolSprings Galleria, international fashion retailer Primark opened in late October, marking one of the mall’s largest retail additions in recent years.
Elsewhere in Cool Springs, Franklin Golf Lab opened its indoor training facility, offering year-round golf instruction and technology-based practice, while Create-it Studios launched inside the Mallory Lane Walmart, giving local musicians, podcasters, and content creators access to professional recording and production spaces.
Level Wellness Center opened its first integrated wellness location in Franklin in late 2025, offering multiple services together in one setting, including chiropractic care, personal training, nutrition planning, aesthetics, and much more.
In Brentwood, 51st Deli opened a new location in late 2025, expanding beyond its Nashville spots with an all-day menu that includes breakfast burritos and sandwiches, bagels, tacos, burgers, signature sandwiches, coffee, a juice bar, and catering services. Also in Brentwood, Zushirito opened in 2025, bringing a street food–style Asian fusion concept to the former V & V Vietnamese Cuisine space on Ward Circle.
Looking Ahead in Franklin and Williamson County
Whether it’s a long-awaited restaurant opening, a new place to gather, or a familiar brand finally landing closer to home, 2026 is shaping up to bring plenty of noticeable changes around Franklin and Williamson County. Many of these projects have been talked about for months, and the coming year is when several of them will take shape. As 2026 approaches, keep this list handy as you start deciding which new Williamson County businesses to check out first.
