Murfreesboro’s Maple Street Biscuit Company on Medical Center Parkway will soon transition to Biscuit Belly; in fact, all 34 remaining Maple Street Biscuit locations will convert throughout the next 18 to 24 months, with conversions starting in the Cincinnati and Richmond, Virginia areas.

Biscuit Belly, which currently has 15 locations, is aiming for over 60 restaurants by the end of 2028.

“When we opened our first Biscuit Belly location, we didn’t have plans for rapid growth,” Lauren Coulter, owner of the Kentucky-based Biscuit Belly, said in a statement. “We knew it would be special but did not anticipate the response from our guests. Once we started seeing our growth accelerate, we set a 10-year goal to become the largest gourmet biscuit brand in the U.S. This acquisition is making that goal a reality, and we’re excited to invite all the team members from Maple Street to join us for this next chapter.”

The converted restaurants will feature Biscuit Belly’s signature menu, which includes Bonuts—biscuit doughnut holes with cinnamon sugar, bourbon cream cheese frosting or berry jam—tots, fried green tomatoes, pancake corn dogs, buttermilk fried chicken breast, a lineup of biscuits & gravy dishes, a take on a biscuit Benedict, signature coffee, boozy beverages, and more.

Maple Street Biscuit Company first opened in Jacksonville, Florida in 2012. In 2019, it was acquired by Cracker Barrel for $36 million. Following that acquisition, Maple Street expanded to nearly 60 locations by 2023.

More recently, Cracker Barrel has slowed expansion and closed underperforming restaurants as it focuses on improving profitability. In late 2025, the company announced the closure of 14 locations, and will sell remaining stores to Biscuit Belly.

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Wawa will celebrate its grand opening at 5208 Veterans Pkwy. on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 8 a.m. The event will feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, free limited-edition T-shirts for the first 250 customers, events detailing the history of Wawa, words from Wawa’s leadership regarding plans for expansion, and a “Hoagies for Heroes” hoagie-building competition between local police and fire departments, with $1,000 donated to each department’s charity of choice.

The new Wawa location, Murfreesboro’s first, will also offer free, hot, any-size coffees from Sept. 10–13.

Wawa plans to open up to seven stores in Tennessee this year alone. Over the next 10 years, Wawa plans to build and open more than 50 stores in the state. To build each store, Wawa will invest more than $7.5 million and employ, on average, 140 contractors and local partners. Once open, each store will employ an average of 35 associates, with Wawa expecting to create 1,750 new, long-term new jobs as a result of this expansion.

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Curry Up Now has opened a restaurant in Smyrna. The restaurant is locally owned by the Patel family, who has called Smyrna home for more than 20 years.

It is located at 2160 Rock Springs Rd. and provides vibrant Indian offerings to one of Middle Tennessee’s fastest-growing communities.

“Middle Tennesseans are no strangers to change, especially after the area’s recent explosive growth, yet Nashville’s spirit remains the same: vibrant, hospitable and full of charm—qualities we celebrate in our dishes and atmosphere,” said Harsh Patel, owner of the Smyrna Curry Up Now. “We jumped at the opportunity to bring our thoughtfully reimagined cuisine to a community hungry for new flavors and experiences.”

The Smyrna location offers an exclusive dish—the Nash & Three, Curry Up Now’s ode to the meat & three. The meal consists of two tandoori-charred chicken chops, masala mac, peri peri corn, saag paneer, and naan.

“The meat and three is one of the great formats in American food, and nobody outside the South treats it that way,” said Akash Kapoor, co-founder and CEO of Curry Up Now. “We wanted to serve one. It lives on this menu at this location and nowhere else.”

The restaurant also houses a full-service bar called Mortar and Pestle, featuring a curated cocktail program, Tennessee drafts, whiskey flights that set Indian single malts like Indri and Paul John alongside Tennessee pours, and non-alcoholic cocktails.

Founded by husband-and-wife team Akash and Rana Kapoor in 2009, Curry Up Now started as a food truck in the Bay Area and experienced an increased demand for its fresh ingredients and menu items. With options that include burritos, bowls, Indian street food, thali platters and more, Curry Up Now’s culinary team has crafted a one-of-a-kind menu that presents authentic Indian cuisine in a friendly format.

Curry Up Now is open 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

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Bubba’s 33 will hold a grand opening for its Murfreesboro location, 119 N. Thompson Ln., at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 14.

The new restaurant, part of the Texas Roadhouse family of brands, is built around a casual, sports-focused atmosphere with wall-to-wall televisions, a full bar and a menu featuring burgers, hand-cut ribeye steaks, pizza, hand-battered chicken tenders and onion rings, seafood, sandwiches and other American favorites. The restaurant’s menu includes beef-and-bacon-grind burgers, stone-baked pizzas, boneless and traditional wings, margaritas and much more.

The new 7,000-square-foot build sits between Murfreesboro’s new City Barbeque and the soon-to-open UFC Gym on Thompson Lane.

Bubba’s 33 takes its name from 1933, the year Prohibition ended in the United States.

Local Managing Partner Shaun Allison leading the new location. For more information, visit bubbas33.com.

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Another Broken Egg Cafe has opened its newest location in Murfreesboro at 2615 Medical Center Pkwy. in the former Genghis Grill location. The new cafe is owned and operated by Max Coyle and Keith White of W-C Management Group, LLC. The opening marks the second of five planned Another Broken Egg Cafe locations coming to the greater Nashville area. The group’s first cafe opened in Bellevue in 2024.

“We’re thrilled to bring Another Broken Egg Cafe to Murfreesboro,” Coyle said. “What drew me to this brand was the daytime-only format—it lets us build a team that has real work-life balance.”

Signature dishes include lemon blueberry goat cheese pancakes, chicken & waffles, and the champagne lobster omelet. The full bar offers handcrafted cocktails, mocktails, mimosas and Bloody Marys.

The Murfreesboro cafe is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, visit anotherbrokenegg.com.

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The Curious Kitchen has announced that it will relocate from its downtown Murfreesboro home to 2561 E. Compton Rd. next spring.

“We’re envisioning beautiful gardens, fresh herbs & veggies growing steps from the kitchen, farm-to-table events, hands-on cooking classes, kids’ camps, birthday parties, and plenty of room to gather, learn, and celebrate together,” said owner Rachel Spensatelli. “We’re even hoping to add a few friendly farm animals along the way!”

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A sign for Camino Real Mexican Express has been installed at the former Casa Adobe Express restaurant located at 1433 Warrior Dr., which closed earlier this year. Camino Real Mexican Express, a scaled-down, quick-service version of the Camino Real brand, has a location in Clarksville as well.

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Tim Horton’s, the popular Canadian coffeehouse, has opened its second Murfreesboro location at 1270 Broad St. in the former Arby’s building near Champy’s Chicken.

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Big Bad Breakfast plans to open the third week of September in the former City Cafe space, 113 E. Main St., according to management.

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UFC Gym’s new location at 205 N. Thompson Ln. is expected to open this fall in the former YMCA building. Presale memberships are available for those interested in joining as founding members, and a new office building has been set just across from the future gym’s location for prospective members. For more information, drop by the office, at 202 N. Thompson Ln., near the Sam Walton Drive intersection, or visit ufcgym.com.

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Sport Clips has opened a new location at 3353 S. Church St. This new location makes nearly 1,800 locations across the U.S. and Canada, as well as the fourth location in Murfreesboro.

“Sport Clips offers our clients the expertise of professional stylists in a fun and exciting environment where they can enjoy watching sports on TV during their haircut. We look forward to introducing clients to our game-changing services and distinctive experience,” said John Gilbo, owner of the new Sport Clips location along with his wife, Jamie Gilbo.

The new location is offering free “MVP upgrades” to all first-time clients who purchase a haircut service, including a massaging shampoo, hot steamed towel, and neck and shoulder treatment. Hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit sportclips.com/tn227.

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Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care has announced the recent opening of a new franchise location at 5117 Malachite Dr. in Murfreesboro. Kiddie Academy is owned and operated by Sheila Freck, alongside Wesley Schroeder and Michelle Loya-Schroeder, with the Academy Director Brittany Moss managing daily operations.

“Putting my own daughter in child care inspired me to enter early childhood education nearly two decades ago,” said Moss. “That decision launched my 17-year teaching career, ultimately leading me to recognize my dream of directing an Academy.”

The 12,000-square-foot location is equipped with 12 classrooms and features a multipurpose room for indoor play, 6-foot privacy fence surrounding the property, and live-stream camera access for families. The classrooms are led by highly qualified, ECE-credentialed educators delivering the Kiddie Academy Life Essentials curriculum in a clean, spacious learning environment. Kiddie Academy of Murfreesboro will serve 171 children ages six weeks to 12 years old. The new academy brings approximately 30 jobs to the area, according to the company.

For more information, visit kiddieacademy.com/murfreesboro.

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Collective Boutiques has opened at 552 N. Thompson Ln. in the former Painted Tree building. The business offers a similar method and setup, and will feature many of the same vendors from the Painted Tree before its abrupt closure.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. For more information or to rent a space, visit thecollectiveboutiques.com.

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National Health Investors will build a new headquarters at 1340 Gateway Blvd. Initial design plans show a 23,800-square-foot office on approximately 2 acres of land along Gateway Boulevard.

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The City of Murfreesboro is in the process of purchasing property next to Discovery Center. The lot, which housed the commercial center that long contained the Wagon Wheel bar, among other businesses, is now vacant and up for sale. Due to its location, the City has considered buying the property to accommodate the area road- and sidewalk-widening project, and possibly add more space for Discovery Center parking.

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The Kirksey Old Main building, a landmark of the Middle Tennessee State University campus, has celebrated its long-awaited grand re-opening after updates to the building—just in time for the fall 2026 semester. The KOM, as well as nearby Rutledge Hall, recently underwent a $54 million combined renovation, updating both spaces.

The upgraded KOM is now the home of the MTSU Computer Science and Mathematical Sciences departments and Data Science programs within the College of Basic and Applied Science.

“It feels fitting to be standing here under these iconic columns that have been the gateway to learning for generations of MTSU students,” said Greg Van Patten, dean of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences. “There’s something special about preparing students for the future inside the oldest building on our campus, and today, we also get to connect that future to the legacy behind the Kirksey name.”

MTSU photo by Andy Heidt

The Floyd Stadium-facing facade on the north side of Kirksey Old Main marries clean, modern lines with historic bones. Floor-to-ceiling panes of glass flood the new lobby with natural light, while the lobby’s design provides accessible entry. The new addition replaced the razed E.W. Midgett Building, which was attached to KOM for 65 years. The building’s original brick walls and carved details flank the lower entry to halls of offices, while sleek, airy stairs lead up to a second floor filled with classrooms and computer labs. In total, the space contains three tutoring labs, four student lounges, five computer labs, 14 classrooms and 94 offices, with a total renovated area of approximately 88,370 square feet.

Howard G. Kirksey was an administrator at MTSU from 1960 to 1969, serving as director of the Graduate Division, head of the College of Education, dean of instruction, dean of faculty and acting president. In 1978, the university’s Old Main Building was named in his honor. His son, Howard Graden Kirksey Jr., attended the ribbon cutting in his father’s honor.

“Pop and the building were both born in 1910. They are fraternal twins,” said Kirksey Jr. He brought along a green pamphlet titled “The Dean Says,” filled with the wisdom of his father. Gems included “The fella who waits to be told, won’t be told to do big things,” and “Be polite. Your students won’t mind if you practice on them.”

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Judge Don R. Ash and Ms. Mary Catherine Schneider were honored at the recent Rutherford County Recovery Court building dedication, which culminates a $1.5 million dollar building renovation and expansion project that will allow for additional classroom and training areas.

The Recovery Court Program is comprised of the Drug Court with Judge Jimmy Turner, Mental Health Court with Judge Barry Tidwell, DUI Court with Judge Lisa Eischeid, and Veterans Treatment Court with Judge Trey McFarlin.

“Today’s dedication is more than the recognition of a building—it is a tribute to the vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment of Judge Don Ash and Mary Schneider,” Recovery Courts and Re-Entry Director LaChelle Ricks said. “More than 25 years ago, they recognized that individuals in this county struggling with substance use disorders and mental health needed accountability paired with treatment, support, and hope. Because of their foresight in establishing Recovery Courts in Rutherford County, thousands of lives have been transformed, families have been reunited, and our community is stronger today. We would not be where we are without their courage to embrace a new approach to justice.”

This second-chance program works by helping citizens to get out of the justice system and overcome substance abuse so they can lead productive lives in the community.

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Foundry Commercial has announced the closing of the sale of Creekside Logistics, a Class-A industrial development in Smyrna, developed and sold in partnership with Principal Asset Management. The project includes three state-of-the-art warehouse buildings, totaling 371,000 square feet on 43 acres. The transaction marks the seventh transaction between Foundry Commercial and Principal.

“This transaction is really a reflection of our longstanding relationship with Principal Asset Management,” Foundry Commercial Partner Jason Holwerda said. “Seven transactions in, we’ve built a level of trust and alignment that made it possible to deliver a strong outcome for both sides.”

RREEF Property Trust purchased the property for $81.75 million. Creekside Logistics offers direct access to I-24, creating prime regional connectivity and efficiency for tenants. The development features tilt‑wall construction, 32‑foot clear heights, and modern design specifications that meet the needs of today’s industrial tenants.

It also showcases Foundry’s hands-on approach to development from start to finish—from groundbreaking through lease-up and, alongside Principal, the recent sale of the asset. Foundry’s Nashville industrial team brought in a diverse list of tenants, successfully stabilizing the asset to be positioned for a successful sale. Following the transaction, Foundry Commercial has also been retained as property manager for Creekside Logistics, continuing its role in the asset’s long-term success.

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Juan Luna will be remodeling the former Seasons of Murfreesboro in the Clarion Inn and changing its name to “Flama;” a sign bearing the new name has already been hung at the nightclub and event space.

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CLOSINGS

Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle recently announced its closure after two years in business in Gateway Village.

“This was not an easy decision,” read a thank-you letter posted to the restaurant’s social media. “We poured our hearts into this restaurant and truly hoped we could continue serving our community. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we have reached a point where we can no longer keep the restaurant open.”

Many Murfreesboro diners responded to the Facebook post with sadness and comments saying that they would miss the food very much.

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The Laboratory Smoke Shop has closed its downtown Murfreesboro location. In addition to hemp, vape and smoke products, the Laboratory also carried vintage clothing and local artwork.

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Papa Murphy’s has closed its Murfreesboro locations and is in the process of closing up to 50 more restaurants, citing years of declining sales. The announcement came during MTY Group’s second-quarter earnings call. The Canadian restaurant company, which acquired Papa Murphy’s in 2019, said it plans to close 68 company-owned restaurants across its brands, with 45 to 50 of those closures expected to be Papa Murphy’s locations.

With Murfreesboro locations already closed, Papa Murphy’s appears to be pulling out of Middle Tennessee completely, with remaining store closures expected to take place over the next six to nine months as the company works through lease agreements, staffing changes and distribution logistics.