Panda Express
Panda Express opening its sixth Columbus location at 3847 S High St, featuring the company’s latest ‘Panda Home’ design with Chinese design elements and a double drive-thru. Grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on August 4. First 88 guests receive a limited-edition T-shirt. The company will donate $1,000 to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Will […]
Red Bao Kitchen
Southern Chinese street food concept opening its first brick-and-mortar location inside the food court at Polaris Fashion Place. Founded by Alicia Long, the concept has built a following through ghost kitchen, farmers markets, and pop-ups. Menu features steamed bao buns (pork, beef, chicken, vegetable), dan dan noodles, Shanghai-style peanut butter noodles, and Beijing-style zhajiang noodles. […]
Kind Brew Cafe and Creamery
Drive-thru cafe and creamery coming to a former Bank of America building in Jefferson Park. Owner Brandon Grosz’s first concept, featuring coffee, tea, frozen custard, sandwiches, salads, pastries, smoothies, and avocado toast. Currently in early permitting process with no opening date set. Project has been in planning for approximately nine months.
Culver’s
New Culver’s franchise under construction at former Morris Kennedy School site. Features two-lane drive-thru. Building still needs to be demolished before construction can proceed; final city-level approvals are pending. Franchisees Jimmy and Nichole Smith also own the Winnebago Culver’s at 807 Cannell Puri Drive. Opening expected sometime next year (2027).
Unnamed Virtue Hospitality Concept
James Beard Award-winning chef Damarr Brown and Erick Williams (owners of Virtue Restaurant & Bar in Hyde Park) are preparing to open a new unnamed concept at 219 N Elizabeth Street in Fulton Market. This will be the sixth concept under Virtue Hospitality. The restaurant is described as warm, elegant, and soulful, honoring culture through […]
Gannons
Gannons is opening a second Nashville location inside Houston Station in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood, taking over the former Earnest Bar & Hideaway space. Co-owners Gannon Leary and David Wileman plan to open in late August 2026. The restaurant will feature American comfort dishes with French and Italian influences, an oyster bar, weekend brunch, daily happy […]
Bojangles
Bojangles is converting an existing fast-food restaurant at 336 Harding Place in South Nashville into a company-owned location. A commercial building permit has been issued for interior and exterior rehabilitation. The location is slated to open in mid-November 2026, though the timeline is subject to change. A second company-owned Bojangles is also planned for Murfreesboro […]
Swig
Swig, a fast-growing beverage chain known for customizable ‘dirty sodas’, is planning a new location at the Galleries at Bellevue shopping center in Nashville’s Bellevue neighborhood. The opening was confirmed via Metro Nashville permit records. No official opening date has been announced. The brand was founded in St. George, Utah in 2010 and has expanded […]
Au Bon Coin
French bistro concept planned for 724 N. Broadway in Knoxville, TN, transforming the former Donut Shop location. Project comes from the owners of Potchke and A Dopo. Co-owner Brian Strutz confirmed the project is moving forward; additional details on menu and opening timeline to be shared closer to debut.
Pinchy’s Lobster & Raw Bar
Pinchy’s Lobster & Raw Bar is opening its third location at 508 High Street in downtown Maryville, TN, targeting a mid-September 2026 opening. The New England-inspired seafood concept will feature 200+ indoor/outdoor seats, an 8,000 sq ft outdoor gathering space adjacent to sister concept The Walnut Kitchen, live music, and community events. Menu includes lobster […]