What’s New in Franklin: Businesses and Developments Coming in 2025
Franklin, Tennessee, is experiencing a wave of growth as new businesses and development projects reshape the community in 2025. From revitalized historic sites to major corporate expansions, Franklin’s landscape is evolving to offer fresh opportunities for residents and visitors alike. This year promises significant additions, including modernized civic spaces, innovative retail destinations, and expanded local amenities that reflect Franklin’s unique blend of tradition and progress.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s on the horizon for Franklin in 2025.
Studio 8 Design
Plans for New Franklin City Hall to Move Forward
The current Franklin City Hall is being redeveloped into a modern, state-of-the-art facility. The site has a long history, previously housing stables, buggy repair shops, and an auction barn before being replaced by a one-story mall in 1974. The mall closed in the 1980s, and the city repurposed the building as City Hall, despite its unsuitable layout, lack of windows, and aging infrastructure.
Franklin’s new City Hall is designed to be a modern, efficient, and community-centered facility that reflects the city’s values while supporting future growth. The new project will transform the site into a functional civic space with public meeting areas, additional parking, outdoor gathering spaces, and enhanced streetscapes, while retaining the existing parking structure and Pull-Tight Theater. The design is intended to honor the site’s historic significance and serve citizens for generations to come.
Demolition of the current building is scheduled to start in the spring of 2025 with the new 115,700-square-foot multi-story building slated for completion in the summer of 2027. During construction, City Hall offices have been relocated to the following addresses:
- Billing and Licensing, IT, and Communications Production: 204 9th Ave. South, Franklin
- Community Development (Engineering, Planning and Sustainability, Building and Neighborhood Services): 120 9th Ave. South, Franklin
- Administration (Human Resources, Finance, Budget and Performance, Purchasing, Communications, and Law): 740 Columbia Ave., Franklin
Franklin Farmers Market Moving to New Location
This summer, the Franklin Farmers Market is moving from The Factory at Franklin to its new home at Franklin First United Methodist Church, near the intersection of Mack Hatcher Parkway and Franklin Road. The market has outgrown its current location, reflecting its growth from eight vendors in 2002 to over 100 vendors today.
To support the transition, the market has launched a $4.5 million fundraising campaign to construct a state-of-the-art pavilion at the new location. The pavilion will feature modern restrooms, space for 150 vendors, and three times the parking available at the current site.
The Franklin Farmers Market operates year-round, every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, and focuses on three main goals: supporting local family farms, providing access to fresh, locally grown food, and educating the community on the benefits of sustainable agriculture. Donations for the new pavilion can be made at Franklin Farmers Market.
Carter House Visitor Center Construction to Begin
One of Franklin’s most significant landmarks, Carter House, is set for a major upgrade with the construction of a new visitor center and museum. Work is scheduled to begin this month on the new 9,600-square-foot facility, which will replace the current 2,500-square-foot visitor center. Construction will take place near the existing visitor center, which will be demolished once the transition to the new facility is complete.
Named after Herbert Harper, former executive director of the Tennessee Historical Commission, the center will provide expanded space for visitor orientation, museum exhibits, staff, and archival and artifact storage. The museum’s theme, “All Men Are Created Equal,” will present a comprehensive timeline from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War and beyond, exploring the events and societal shifts that led to the war and its lasting impact.
The new facility is expected to open in early 2026, just in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The Battle of Franklin Trust, which oversees Carter House and other historic sites, is leading efforts to ensure the museum provides a meaningful and educational experience for visitors. While the core construction is funded, additional support is needed to develop exhibits that interpret the founding of the United States, the causes and consequences of the Civil War, and its impact today. An anonymous donor is matching all contributions to the museum, up to $100,000.
Nequette Architecture & Design
The Margin District to Break Ground in Franklin in 2025
The Margin District, a new mixed-use development near downtown Franklin’s Five Points area, is set to break ground early this year. Developed by Arlington Family Offices in partnership with NAI Nashville Stanton Group, the project aims to blend modern living, retail, and office spaces while reflecting Franklin’s historic character. Spanning 180,000 square feet, the development will feature ground-floor retail and dining space, second-floor offices, and third-floor condominiums, as well as lower-level parking. According to NAI Executive Director Devin McClendon, most of the retail spaces will house local businesses rather than national chains.
The design reflects Franklin’s aesthetic, featuring locally inspired millwork, antiqued brass accents, stepped rooflines, and dormered, gabled upper floors. Although situated outside the city’s Historic Preservation Overlay District, The Margin District is intended to complement the area’s architectural style.
The development is expected to be completed in 2027.
Flower Child Opening First Tennessee Location in Franklin
Flower Child, a fast-casual restaurant from eleven-time James Beard-nominated restaurateur Sam Fox, is set to open its first Tennessee location in Franklin this summer. Part of Phoenix-based Fox Restaurant Concepts, Flower Child joins Fox’s other Tennessee ventures, including The Twelve Thirty Club, The Henry, Pushing Daisies, Doughbird, and Blanco Cocina + Cantina.
The 3,703-square-foot restaurant, located at Southside at McEwen next to Whole Foods, will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and feature dine-in, patio seating, catering services, curbside pickup, and delivery.
Known for its customizable, made-from-scratch menu, Flower Child caters to a variety of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The restaurant offers fresh bowls, wraps, salads, and mix-and-match grains, proteins, and vegetables, allowing guests to build meals to fit their tastes.
With this opening, Flower Child will mark its 42nd location across 15 states. The restaurant will begin hiring soon, seeking local team members to help bring its fresh and healthy dining experience to the Franklin community.
Perenn Bakery Coming to Downtown Franklin
Perenn Bakery, a Nevada-based artisan bakery, is set to open its first Tennessee location in 2025, bringing its European-inspired baked goods to downtown Franklin. The bakery will be located at 94 E. Main Street in the historic Boat House, offering a selection of its signature items, including naturally leavened organic sourdough, Vanilla Crème Brulee Kouign Amann, and handmade croissants.
Perenn Bakery is working with Studio Meadow to design the new Franklin location, with a plan to preserve the charm of the Boat House while refreshing the space with modern touches.
In addition to the Franklin location, Perenn’s operations will expand to a 96,000-square-foot facility on Sidco Drive in Nashville, which will serve as the heart of its baking process. Customers at the Nashville location will have the unique opportunity to watch bread and pastries being crafted on the bakery floor while enjoying coffee from a mezzanine seating area.
The new Franklin location reflects the bakery’s mission to provide high-quality, locally sourced baked goods in a setting that honors the area’s character. The addition of Perenn Bakery is poised to enhance Franklin’s culinary scene and establish itself as a destination for both locals and visitors.
In-N-Out Burger to Open in 2025
In-N-Out Burger is making its Tennessee debut with its first location east of the Mississippi River, set to open in Franklin near Berry Farms. The project includes both a restaurant, expected to open later this year, and a 96,000-square-foot corporate office complex, which will serve as the company’s eastern headquarters upon its completion in 2026.
The restaurant will bring the beloved California-based chain’s burgers to Franklin while the corporate office is expected to create 277 jobs. To complement Franklin’s architectural style, In-N-Out has modified its traditional West Coast design, replacing white stucco and palm trees with a stucco-and-brick facade and evergreen trees.
This development is a significant milestone for Franklin, boosting the local economy and reinforcing the city’s reputation as a thriving hub for business expansion.
Tecovas to Open in Franklin’s Historic Old Bank Building
Franklin’s downtown square will soon welcome Tecovas, the iconic Western wear brand known for its high-quality leather goods and handmade boots. The new store will be located at 306 Public Square in the Old Bank Building, a 5,000-square-foot late Victorian-era structure dating back to 1901.
The historic building, once home to Franklin’s oldest bank, holds decades of local history. Tecovas plans to embrace this legacy by preserving the building’s original woodwork and intricate detailing, ensuring the space remains true to its roots while introducing a modern retail experience.
The project is a collaboration between building owner Jason McConnell, known for local restaurants like Red Pony, Cork & Cow, and 55 South, Hamilton Young, LLC, and Lantern Real Estate Advisors. The partners prioritized finding a tenant that reflects Franklin’s unique charm, identifying Tecovas as the ideal fit.
Founded in Austin, Texas, in 2015, Tecovas has grown to over 40 locations nationwide and is known for its dedication to quality, craftsmanship, and hospitality. The store is expected to open later in 2025, with an official date yet to be announced.
Little Hats Italian Market Coming to Meridian Cool Springs
Franklin will soon welcome Little Hats Italian Market, an authentic Italian deli and market, to Meridian Cool Springs. Originally established in Nashville’s Germantown, Little Hats has gained a loyal following for its fresh, house-made pasta, gourmet deli sandwiches, and imported Italian goods. The Franklin location was initially set to open in the fall of 2024, but the tentative opening date has now been pushed to late March 2025.
For updates on the opening, follow Little Hats on Instagram.
Franklin Looks Ahead to an Exciting 2025
With these upcoming projects and businesses, Franklin is embracing thoughtful growth while preserving its historic appeal. From expanded public spaces to new destinations for dining, shopping, and culture, these developments promise to enhance the community and offer new opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
Explore More About Franklin’s Growth and Community Highlights
Curious to learn more about what’s happening in Franklin? Check out Franklin, TN: A Top Pick on Southern Living’s “The South’s Best Cities on the Rise” to see why the city continues to earn recognition across the South. For updates on a beloved local landmark, don’t miss What’s New at The Factory at Franklin.
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