

Tennessee is home to eleven Fortune 500 company headquarters, including major employers such as FedEx, HCA Healthcare, Dollar General, AutoZone, and Tractor Supply Company. FedEx has helped establish Tennessee as one of the nation's leading transportation and logistics hubs, while automotive manufacturing remains a key economic driver through major facilities operated by Nissan and Volkswagen. Health care, advanced manufacturing, logistics, automotive production, and energy technology continue to rank among Tennessee's most important industries.
Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, is nicknamed "Music City." It is located in the north-central part of the state and easily accessible from most large southern cities. Nashville is a center for the health care, publishing, banking, and transportation industries, and is home to a large number of colleges and universities. The area’s colleges and universities include the Tennessee State University, Vanderbilt University, and more.
According to the National Restaurant Association, the U.S. restaurant and foodservice industry is projected to reach approximately $1.55 trillion in sales and employ nearly 16 million people in 2026. Restaurants remain a significant contributor to Tennessee's economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the state and serving as an important source of employment, entrepreneurship, and tourism-related economic activity.
Resources for Buying a Tennessee Restaurant
Buying a Tennessee restaurant for sale is a team sport and you may need all kinds of help. Our Tennessee Certified Restaurant Broker® has plenty of resources and aid for you. Here’s a starting point for the most common requests:
A full search online at wesellrestaurants.com will provide you with all Tennessee restaurants for sale by market.

Taylor Clemmer is the We Sell Restaurants Franchise Partner for West Nashville, TN. He is the former owner and operator of a profitable gourmet crepe restaurant in south Florida.




If you are buying a restaurant with SBA lending, make sure you are ready to go with this checklist of items the bank will need. Some will come from you and others will be submitted by the seller.




Buying a restaurant can be a journey filled with risk and reward. Frequently however, misinformation abounds as would-be owners seek out resources and begin viewing restaurant for sale opportunities.




















































Frequently Asked Questions: Tennessee Restaurants for Sale
What types of restaurants are for sale in Tennessee? Everything from quick-service franchises and food trucks to coffee shops, barbecue restaurants, sports bars, family dining establishments, and turnkey fine dining concepts. Opportunities are available throughout Tennessee, from Nashville and Memphis to Knoxville, Chattanooga, and smaller communities statewide.
What is the average price of a restaurant for sale in Tennessee?Independent restaurants typically list between $50,000 and $500,000, depending on location, sales volume, and assets included. Established franchise restaurants often range from $250,000 to more than $1 million.
Can I buy a restaurant in Tennessee with and SBA loan? Yes. Many Tennessee restaurant acquisitions qualify for SBA 7(a) financing. We Sell Restaurants can connect qualified buyers with experienced lenders familiar with restaurant transactions.
How long does it take to sell restaurant in Tennessee? Most restaurant sales close within 3 to 9 months. Well-documented financial records, a favorable lease, and realistic pricing can help accelerate the process.
What is my Tennessee restaurant worth? A Certified Restaurant Broker can provide an opinion of value that will include comparable pricing. He or she is a market specialist that can adjust for location, lease terms, equipment condition, sales trends, and profitability.
How do I sell my restaurant in Tennessee? Start with a free valuation from a Certified Restaurant Broker. We Sell Restaurants provides confidential marketing, buyer screening, negotiation support, and transaction management from listing to closing.
What licenses do I need to take over a restaurant in Tennessee? Requirements vary by location and concept but generally include food safety certifications, local business licenses, health department permits, a Certificate of Occupancy, and any required alcohol licenses through the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) or local beer boards.
Is We Sell Restaurants a franchise? Yes, We Sell Restaurants® is itself a franchise opportunity, not just a service provider to restaurant franchises. Franchisees become a Certified Restaurant Broker® through our structured onboarding process, then use We Sell Restaurants' proprietary BOSS (Broker's Operations and Sales System) platform and Restaurant for Sale marketplace to help entrepreneurs buy, sell and lease hospitality properties in their territory.