September 2026 has been a busy month for new businesses in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. Several national chains opened their first local stores, a downtown landmark space is getting a new restaurant, and a few familiar names have closed.
Here is a look at what opened, what is coming soon, what closed, and what is still in the planning stages.
Now Open
Wawa: 5208 Veterans Parkway
Wawa opened its first Murfreesboro and Rutherford County store at 5208 Veterans Pkwy., near Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Westlawn. The company held a grand opening on Thursday, September 10. According to Wawa, the event included a ribbon cutting, free T-shirts for the first 250 customers, and free hot coffee in any size from September 10 through 13. Wawa also held its "Hoagies for Heroes" hoagie-building contest between local police and fire departments and donated $1,000 to each department's chosen charity.
The Murfreesboro store is Wawa's fourth in Tennessee. The company says it plans to open up to seven Tennessee stores in 2026 and more than 50 in the state over the next ten years, with each store employing about 35 associates. The Murfreesboro Post reported that the store is open 24 hours and that more than 150 people turned out on September 9. The Post also reported that Wawa plans two more Rutherford County stores, one in Smyrna and another in Murfreesboro, both expected to open this year.
Bubba's 33: 119 N. Thompson Lane
Bubba's 33, the sports-focused restaurant from the Texas Roadhouse family of brands, opened at 119 N. Thompson Ln. Murfreesboro.com reported a ribbon cutting on September 9, and The Murfreesboro Pulse reported a grand opening on September 14. The 7,000-square-foot restaurant has wall-to-wall TVs, a full bar, and a menu of burgers, hand-cut ribeyes, pizza, chicken tenders, seafood, and sandwiches. It sits between City Barbeque and the future UFC GYM. Find more places to watch the game in the Murfreesboro sports bar guide.
Another Broken Egg Cafe: The Avenue Murfreesboro
Another Broken Egg Cafe opened at 2615 Medical Center Pkwy. at The Avenue Murfreesboro, in the former Genghis Grill space. The Southern-inspired brunch restaurant is owned by Max Coyle and Keith White of W-C Management Group. According to The Murfreesboro Pulse, it is the second of five planned Nashville-area locations. Signature dishes include lemon blueberry goat cheese pancakes, chicken and waffles, and a champagne lobster omelet, and the full bar serves mimosas and Bloody Marys. Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
Tim Hortons: Northwest Broad Street
Murfreesboro's second Tim Hortons opened on Northwest Broad Street in the former Arby's building near Champy's Chicken. The store held a ribbon cutting on September 15 and a grand opening September 21 through 25, with free coffee for a month for the first 100 customers each day and 50 percent off food and drinks for all customers during that week, according to The Murfreesboro Pulse.
*Note: Local reports list the address as 1270 NW Broad St., which matches the former Arby's address in public listings, while an April WGNS report gave 1622 NW Broad St.*
Curry Up Now: Smyrna
Curry Up Now opened its first Tennessee location at 2160 Rock Springs Rd. in Smyrna. The Indian street food restaurant is locally owned by the Patel family, who have lived in Smyrna for more than 20 years. It is the only Curry Up Now in the country serving the Nash & Three, the brand's take on a meat and three with tandoori chicken, masala mac, peri peri corn, saag paneer, and naan. The Mortar & Pestle bar inside serves cocktails and Tennessee drafts. Browse more Indian restaurants in Murfreesboro and Smyrna restaurants.
Range USA: Smyrna
Range USA Smyrna held its grand opening September 18 through 20 at 8225 Tridon Dr. The 15,000-square-foot indoor range has 20 public 25-yard shooting lanes, two classrooms, and a retail store. It offers concealed carry and basic handgun classes. It is Range USA's 52nd location and its second in the Nashville area, and it employs 30 full- and part-time staff.
More New Openings
The Murfreesboro Pulse also reported these openings:
- Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care, 5117 Malachite Dr.: A 12,000-square-foot center with 12 classrooms for up to 171 children from 6 weeks to 12 years old. See more Murfreesboro daycare options.
- Collective Boutiques, 552 N. Thompson Ln.: A multi-vendor shop in the former Painted Tree building that includes many former Painted Tree vendors. It is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
- Sport Clips, 3353 S. Church St.: The haircut chain's fourth Murfreesboro location.
Coming Soon
Big Bad Breakfast: 113 E. Main St.
Big Bad Breakfast is moving into the former City Cafe space at 113 E. Main St., just off the Public Square. City Cafe, which billed itself as Tennessee's oldest continuously running restaurant, closed in January 2025. The Murfreesboro Pulse reported that Big Bad Breakfast expected to open around the third week of September, serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week. Big Bad Breakfast's Murfreesboro page shows both "Coming Soon" and "Now Open" headings, so call ahead to confirm before visiting. Find more breakfast spots in Murfreesboro.
UFC GYM: 205 N. Thompson Lane
UFC GYM Murfreesboro is coming to 205 N. Thompson Ln. in the former YMCA building. It is expected to open this fall. The gym lists MMA classes, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu room, group fitness, a cycle room, a kids gym, recovery services, and a sauna. Presale founding memberships are available, and the gym's website advertises $1 to join plus the first month free through September 30. Compare other Murfreesboro gyms.
Buc-ee's: November 16
The long-awaited Murfreesboro Buc-ee's at Interstate 24 and Joe B. Jackson Parkway is scheduled to open Monday, November 16, at 6 a.m. A hiring event is set for September 29 through October 1. Read the full story: Buc-ee's Murfreesboro opening date and hiring event.
Also on the Way
The Murfreesboro Pulse reported that Camino Real Mexican Express is coming to 1433 Warrior Dr. in the former Casa Adobe Express. It also reported that the Maple Street Biscuit Company location on Medical Center Parkway is converting to Biscuit Belly.
Closed
- O'Charley's: WGNS reported on September 9 that O'Charley's has shut down its corporate operations, ending the chain's 55-year history. Its Murfreesboro locations on Old Fort Parkway and Memorial Boulevard and its Smyrna location on Expo Drive had already closed.
- Papa Murphy's: Murfreesboro's Papa Murphy's locations have closed. In August, WGNS reported paper taped over the windows at the Memorial Boulevard store. Parent company MTY Food Group has announced plans to close up to 50 underperforming corporate-owned stores nationwide.
- Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle: The Gateway Village restaurant closed after about two years, citing declining sales, according to The Murfreesboro Pulse.
- The Laboratory Smoke Shop: The downtown shop, which also sold vintage clothing and local artwork, has closed.
In the Works
A Second Lowe's in South Murfreesboro
Lowe's has proposed a 107,136-square-foot store with a 30,360-square-foot garden center on 16.78 acres along Shelbyville Pike (South Church Street), south of Joe B. Jackson Parkway and across from Volunteer Road, according to WGNS. The property is outside city limits and would need annexation and rezoning to a Planned Commercial District. The project still has to go through the Planning Commission and City Council. Murfreesboro already has a Lowe's on Old Fort Parkway.
AutoZone's 8,000th Store
AutoZone opened its 8,000th store worldwide in Murfreesboro on September 10. Read more: AutoZone opens 8,000th store in Murfreesboro.
Other Projects
National Health Investors is building a 23,800-square-foot headquarters at 1340 Gateway Blvd. Curious Kitchen is relocating to 2561 E. Compton Rd. Both were reported by The Murfreesboro Pulse.
Looking for a place to eat? Browse the full list of new restaurants in Murfreesboro, or try a seasonal treat from our fall drinks and pumpkin treats roundup.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Wawa open in Murfreesboro?
Wawa held the grand opening for its first Murfreesboro store, at 5208 Veterans Pkwy., on Thursday, September 10, 2026. It is Wawa's fourth store in Tennessee, and the Murfreesboro Post reported that it is open 24 hours.
Is Big Bad Breakfast open in Murfreesboro yet?
The Murfreesboro Pulse reported that Big Bad Breakfast expected to open around the third week of September 2026 at 113 E. Main St., in the former City Cafe space. The restaurant's website shows both "Coming Soon" and "Now Open" headings, so call ahead to confirm.
Where is the new Bubba's 33 in Murfreesboro?
Bubba's 33 is at 119 N. Thompson Ln., between City Barbeque and the future UFC GYM. It opened in September 2026.
Where is the second Tim Hortons in Murfreesboro?
The second Tim Hortons is on Northwest Broad Street in the former Arby's building near Champy's Chicken. It held a ribbon cutting on September 15 and a grand opening September 21 through 25, 2026.
Did O'Charley's close in Murfreesboro?
Yes. Both Murfreesboro O'Charley's locations, on Old Fort Parkway and Memorial Boulevard, closed before the company shut down its corporate operations. WGNS reported the shutdown on September 9, 2026.
Is a new Lowe's coming to Murfreesboro?
Lowe's has proposed a second Murfreesboro store on Shelbyville Pike, south of Joe B. Jackson Parkway. The site still needs annexation and rezoning approval from the city.
Sources: The Murfreesboro Pulse business roundup, The Murfreesboro Pulse on City Cafe and Big Bad Breakfast, Wawa grand openings, Murfreesboro Post, Murfreesboro.com on Bubba's 33, Murfreesboro.com on Tim Hortons, WGNS on Tim Hortons, Big Bad Breakfast, UFC GYM Murfreesboro, Another Broken Egg Cafe, Curry Up Now Smyrna, Rutherford Source on Range USA, WGNS on O'Charley's, WGNS on Papa Murphy's, WGNS on Lowe's, and Murfreesboro.com on Buc-ee's.
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