Nashville’s Fast Food Scene Sees Rapid Growth, Yet Several Major Chains Still Absent

Nashville Kitchen: Missing Numerous Fast Food Chains

Fast-Food Industry’s Speedy Growth

The fast-food industry has witnessed significant growth both in speed of service and business over the past decade. Six years ago, Shake Shack opened its first Nashville location in Green Hills, marking the beginning of fast-food chain expansion in the city. As of today, there are five Shake Shacks in and around Nashville. Similar expansion patterns are seen with Whataburger, Cava, Raising Cane’s and In-N-Out Burger, all which began as single outlets and have now multiplied across the city.

Fast food giant, Jack in the Box, is also actively seeking franchisees for more locations in Nashville and Tennessee’s largest markets. The progression does not seem likely to slow down, with the National Restaurant Association projecting U.S. restaurant sales to surpass $1.1 trillion in 2024, a record high in the industry.

Missing Fast Food Chains: Nashville’s Current Scenario

Despite the rapid growth and expansion, several popular fast food chains from across the country are yet to make their debuts in Nashville. Among these are Sweetgreen, the Los Angeles-based salad restaurant with specialty items like miso-glazed salmon bowl and unique Cobb salad; Del Taco, the Mexican food chain predominantly located in California; Milo’s Hamburgers, known for its sweet tea and lemonade, only found in Alabama; Qdoba Mexican Eats, once operating several restaurants across Nashville, now has its only location in Tennessee, in Knoxville; Joe & The Juice, a company founded in 2002 selling coffees, teas, smoothies, and sandwiches across the globe; Pieology Pizzeria, a California-based restaurant offering DIY personal pizzas and is only available in Huntsville, Alabama, close to Nashville.

The Future of Fast-Food in Nashville

Though these chains haven’t opened any establishments in Nashville yet, there’s always the chance they could in the future. Considering the current growth rate of the fast-food industry, it’s plausible that the city’s dining scene may witness these brands setting their foot soon. As for now, food lovers in Nashville can only hope to see these missing fast-food chains join the gastronomical landscape of the city.