Tennessee’s restaurant landscape has experienced a noticeable wave of closures in recent months, affecting everything from long-running local favorites to national chain outlets. Rising costs, lease challenges, and shifting consumer habits have forced several well-known eateries to shut their doors — leaving communities throughout the state with fewer dining options.
Local favorites close after decades of service
In Franklin, Barbara’s Home Cookin’ announced it would close on December 31, 2025, ending nearly 30 years of serving classic comfort food to the Middle Tennessee community. The restaurant’s owners thanked loyal customers for decades of support, adding, “We did not arrive at this decision lightly — in fact, for some of our staff, Barbara’s has been the only employment we’ve yet known in this wonderful country.”
Similarly, Margot Café & Bar, an East Nashville staple for almost 25 years, announced it will close on June 5, 2026. The chef-owner Margot McCormack said, “We have survived 9/11, the recession of 2008, a flood, the influx of so many new restaurants, a tornado, COVID, and so much more…the last five years have been harder than the first 20 put together.”
Smaller independent restaurants shut down
In Murfreesboro, Station Grill announced it would close permanently on January 1, 2026, after the landlord chose not to renew the lease. The restaurant had been a local favorite for years, and owners thanked the community for their support.
In Gatlinburg, a taco-themed restaurant that opened in March 2025 permanently closed in early January 2026, less than a year after its debut. Owners expressed gratitude for customers but cited the challenges of sustaining a new concept in a highly competitive tourist market.
National chains pull back in Tennessee
Chain closures have also impacted Tennessee’s dining scene. Whataburger announced it would close four Tennessee locations in December 2025, including restaurants in Mt. Juliet, Murfreesboro, and two locations in Clarksville, as part of a broader business performance review…