Murfreesboro's growth has drawn a steady run of new dining, drinking, and retail openings, concentrated around Medical Center Parkway, The Avenue, Memorial Boulevard, Thompson Lane, and the downtown square, where Big Bad Breakfast now occupies the former City Cafe space. Several larger projects are still ahead, including Chinwag on Medical Center Parkway this October and a Buc-ee's travel center off Interstate 24 set for November 16, 2026.
Big Bad BreakfastOpen
Breakfast-and-lunch restaurant from chef John Currence's Big Bad Breakfast brand at 113 E. Main St. on the downtown square, in the former City Cafe space. Run locally by managing partner Molly James with Barbara Thomas managing, it serves Southern breakfast plates such as house-cured bacon, fried chicken, and grits, plus lunch, seven days a week.
Restaurant · opened September 2026
Bubba's 33Open
Sports-focused restaurant from the Texas Roadhouse family at 119 N. Thompson Lane, in a roughly 7,000-square-foot building. The menu centers on burgers, pizza, wings, and steaks.
Restaurant · opened September 2026
Ollie's Bargain OutletOpen
Closeout and discount retailer at 1114 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Mercury Plaza, in the former Bargain Hunt space. Open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Retail · opened September 2026
Collective BoutiquesOpen
Multi-vendor boutique at 552 N. Thompson Lane, in the former Painted Tree space, featuring many of that store's former vendors. Open daily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Retail · opened 2026
Bibles & Coffee - The CafeOpen
Combination coffee shop and boutique from the Bible-customization brand, at 214 W. Main Street in downtown Murfreesboro. The shop sells coffee alongside Bibles and gift items.
Coffee · opened July 2026
Tim HortonsOpen
Canadian coffee and baked-goods chain at 1911 Lascassas Pike, the company's first Murfreesboro location. The drive-thru location serves coffee, Timbits, and breakfast items daily from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Coffee · opened June 2026
The Human BeanOpen
Locally owned drive-thru location of the specialty-coffee chain at 1803 Memorial Blvd, serving espresso drinks, real-fruit smoothies, whole-leaf teas, and grab-and-go food. Owned and operated by Scott and Anita Findlay.
Coffee · opened June 2026
The Gumbo BrosOpen
Cajun and Creole restaurant from the Nashville-based concept, located at 1306 Westlawn Blvd, Suite B1. The menu includes chicken-and-sausage gumbo, crawfish and shrimp etouffee, and po'boys, with rotating draft beers from Tennessee and Louisiana breweries.
Restaurant · opened 2026
MilkShake FactoryOpen
Pittsburgh-based shop serving hand-spun milkshakes, sundaes, and small-batch chocolates. This is the brand's first Tennessee location, at The Avenue, 2615 Medical Center Pkwy, Suite 2390. Locally owned by franchise partners Jill and Kyle Mason.
Restaurant · opened February 2026
Cavender's Boot CityOpen
Western wear and boot retailer at 1979 Old Fort Pkwy, the chain's fifth Tennessee store. The 12,000-square-foot store carries boots, hats, jeans, and work apparel, with in-store boot fitting and hat shaping.
Retail · opened February 2026
In-N-Out BurgerOpen
The California burger chain at 2508 Medical Center Parkway, its third Tennessee restaurant.
Restaurant · opened December 2025
BuonaOpen
Chicago-based Italian beef restaurant serving Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, burgers, and salads, with an Original Rainbow Cone ice cream counter inside. Located at 2724 Roby Corlew Lane, near The Avenue.
Restaurant · opened September 2025
Che TaqueriaOpen
Taqueria at 1813 Memorial Blvd, in the former Clay Pit space next to Little Caesars, from the team behind Casa Adobe Express. The kitchen focuses on Jalisco-style cooking and street-style tacos.
Restaurant · opened 2025
J.Crew FactoryOpen
Outlet apparel store at The Avenue outdoor shopping center, 2615 Medical Center Parkway.
Retail · opened 2025
CAVAOpen
Mediterranean fast-casual chain serving build-your-own bowls, pitas, and salads. Located at 2634 Medical Center Parkway, Suite A.
Restaurant · opened July 2024
TailGate BreweryOpen
Tennessee craft brewery's Murfreesboro taproom at 210 Stones River Mall Blvd, with about 30 of its craft beers, ciders, and seltzers on draft plus a pizza-focused kitchen. The location has both a covered patio and an open patio.
Bar / Brewery · opened June 2024
Drake'sOpen
Casual restaurant and bar from Bluegrass Hospitality Group at 2614 Roby Corlew Ln, serving burgers, sushi, and more than 20 craft beers on tap. Weekend brunch is also served.
Restaurant · opened 2024
Monkee's of MurfreesboroOpen
Women's clothing, shoes, and accessories boutique at The Avenue, 2615 Medical Center Parkway. Owned by Stephanie and David Brackins.
Retail · opened March 2024
Another Broken Egg CafeOpen
Louisiana-based breakfast, brunch and lunch chain at The Avenue, 2615 Medical Center Parkway, in the former Genghis Grill space near Barnes & Noble, opened by franchisee Max Coyle. It serves breakfast and lunch daily, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
Restaurant · open as of September 2026
ChinwagComing soon
Internationally inspired bistro built around food cooked over fire and flavored with smoke, from Murfreesboro native and Hell's Kitchen Season 21 winner Alex Belew and Nashville pitmaster Shane Nasby. Located at The Fountains, 1440 Medical Center Pkwy, Suite 1C, with a full bar and a seasonally rotating menu; the restaurant has announced dinner service starting October 22, 2026, and lunch starting November 3.
Restaurant · opening October 2026
Smackdab BrewingComing soon
Microbrewery planned for about 3,630 square feet at the corner of North Front and West Lytle streets (225 N. Front St.), from homebrewers Jeff Bellamy, Brent Fagan, and Nowell Robbins. Plans include a brewhouse visible from the taproom and an outdoor patio; it would be the first brewery in Murfreesboro's downtown core.
Bar / Brewery · opening 2026
Buc-ee'sComing soon
Texas-based travel center under construction off Interstate 24 at the Joe B. Jackson Parkway exit, with an announced opening date of November 16, 2026. Plans call for a store of about 74,000 square feet with 120 fueling positions, 490 car parking spaces, and 15 RV and bus spaces, along with roughly 250 full-time jobs.
New spot · opening November 2026
UFC GymComing soon
Fitness gym planned for 205 N. Thompson Lane, in the former YMCA building. Presale founding memberships are available ahead of opening.
Fitness / Wellness · expected fall 2026
CharComing soon
Southern-style steakhouse from Nashville-based 4Top Hospitality, planned as a 6,600-square-foot restaurant at The Exchange development, 2305 Exchange Drive near Medical Center Parkway. Plans include steaks and seafood, a wine list recognized by Wine Spectator, a piano bar with nightly jazz musicians in conjunction with the Nashville Jazz Workshop, and private dining space.
Restaurant · opening 2027
WawaOpen
Convenience store and gas station chain location at 5208 Veterans Parkway in Murfreesboro, the company's fourth Tennessee store. The store sells hoagies, coffee, hot food, and fuel.
New spot · opened September 2026
City BarbequeOpen
Barbecue restaurant chain location at 107 N. Thompson Lane in Murfreesboro, serving hickory-smoked barbecue and scratch-made sides.
Restaurant · opened July 2026
Whit's Frozen CustardOpen
Frozen custard shop at 4310 Veterans Parkway near Franklin Road in Murfreesboro, in the building that also houses Waldo's, Vui's, and Taziki's. It serves custard made fresh daily in vanilla and chocolate plus rotating weekly flavors, along with sundaes, shakes, floats, and custard sandwiches.
Restaurant · opened mid-2026
KCrave Korean Snack BarOpen
Korean snack bar at 2314 Medical Center Parkway, Suite A3, in Murfreesboro, in the former Peach Cobbler Factory space. The menu includes Korean corn dogs, tteokbokki, ramen, kimbap, and Korean fried chicken.
Restaurant · opened mid-2026