Ahead of Pelato Franklin’s April opening, owner Anthony Scotto Jr. said the restaurant’s expansion reflects changing dining habits across Middle Tennessee.
“As traffic is getting out of hand in [Nashville], people are sticking to areas and neighborhoods that they live in and work in,” Scotto said. “Instead of having to take that 30-to-45-minute drive, we are super excited to be bringing Pelato to an area that’s accessible to so many different communities.”
Known for its Brooklyn-Italian roots and family-style dishes, Pelato recently unveiled a fall menu featuring guest favorites alongside new offerings inspired by the Scotto family’s Italian American heritage.
As thousands of new residents move into Williamson County and commercial developments
continue to expand across Franklin and Brentwood, restaurant operators like Scotto are racing to keep pace.
Since January, the county has added everything from In-N-Out Burger to upscale Asian street food, with several more concepts preparing to enter one of Middle Tennessee's most competitive dining markets.
What's new in Franklin, Brentwood dining
In-N-Out Burger
After years of anticipation, Williamson County welcomed its first In-N-Out Burger earlier this year in Franklin’s Berry Farms development.
In addition to opening the restaurant, the California-based chain selected Franklin as the future home of its eastern U.S. headquarters. The company’s $125 million corporate campus remains under construction adjacent to the restaurant, and an opening date has not yet been announced.
Guests can enjoy the brand’s signature burgers, hand-cut fries, including the popular Animal Style option, and classic milkshakes.
The Franklin restaurant is located at 1951 Double Double Drive. Like other Tennessee locations, it operates daily from 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., with extended hours until 1:30 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Pelato Franklin
Bringing a taste of the Scotto family's New York roots to Franklin, Pelato has rolled out a fall menu packed with Italian American comfort food, seasonal cocktails and a new house-made Stromboli.
“We've always had some version of a stuffed bread on the menu. But now, this is a whole new take that we've never done before,” Anthony Scotto III said of the Stromboli. “It's stuffed with meat and cheese, which is very reminiscent of the food we ate at pizza places growing up in New York.”
Bringing the warmth of the Scotto family kitchen to Franklin, the seasonal menu features comfort-food favorites such as Baked Stuffed Shells and Ragù Bolognese, alongside fall-inspired cocktails including the Frozen Apple Cider, Fig-Et About It and Hot Tommy.
“We spent weeks specialing, and it's a really exciting time for people to come into the restaurant, too, because we try a bunch of different things every time we do a menu change,” Scotto said.
1914 Galleria Blvd.
Truce
Truce is a “fine food fast” concept centered on organic, chef-crafted meals made without artificial ingredients.
“My wife Beth and I had a dream to create a restaurant unlike anything out there, truly putting people first and offering delicious, real food without the harmful ingredients, served in a beautiful setting and convenient for the guest,” said founder Matt Frauenshuh. “As a dad of four always on the go, I know how challenging it is for busy families to find a restaurant that everyone wants to go to. At Truce, we aim to provide something for everyone. It’s never a compromise, it’s a Truce.”
The 4,530-square-foot flagship restaurant at 1809 Mallory Lane features a dining room, community patio, drive-thru, and dedicated mobile pickup lane. Truce serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Hawkers Asian Street Food
Inspired by the open-air food markets of Asia, Hawkers Asian Street Food brings bold flavors and shareable plates to Franklin.
The menu features staples such as Korean twice-fried wings, five-spice green beans and the restaurant’s popular roti canai served with curry dipping sauce. Guests can also enjoy craft cocktails including the Lemongrass Mojito and Viet-Spresso.
The Orlando-based concept first entered Tennessee in 2020 with a location in East Nashville.
The Franklin restaurant also marks a new chapter for the company following the loss of co-founder Danny “Kin” Ho, who died in 2024 after battling a rare form of leukemia.
During a media preview event on Oct. 2, co-founders Kaleb Harrell and Allen Lo emphasized the importance of honoring Ho’s legacy. A dedication plaque near the entrance recognizes his contributions and ensures his lasting presence within the restaurant.
"It's hard since this is our first restaurant without him," Harrell said. "But we wanted to make sure he was still a part of it because he's been such a big part of our success."
Hawkers Franklin is now open at McEwen Northside, next to Culinary Dropout at 4020 Aspen Grove Drive.
Coming to the area
Char
Founded in Jackson, Mississippi, in 2001, Char has built a reputation for steaks, fresh seafood and New Orleans-inspired jazz brunches.
The restaurant offers a variety of dining experiences throughout the day, from morning coffee and business lunches to happy hour and dinner service. Char locations also feature live jazz performances in their signature piano bars.
The new Franklin location will expand the brand’s presence in Tennessee alongside restaurants in Alabama and Mississippi.
787 Crescent Centre Drive
PennePazze
Family-owned Italian eatery PennePazze is set to open at Canteen on Carothers in Franklin’s Cool Springs area.
The 3,400-square-foot restaurant will feature the company’s first full-scale Gelato Pazzo concept, serving traditional Italian gelato crafted by Italian chefs using premium ingredients.
Guests can also enjoy fresh pasta, Roman-style pizza known as pinsa, and a market stocked with imported Italian goods.
The Franklin restaurant will join existing PennePazze locations in Nashville and Murfreesboro.
800 Crescent Centre Drive
Big Bad Breakfast
Founded by James Beard Award-winning chef John Currence, Big Bad Breakfast has become a favorite destination for Southern-inspired breakfast and brunch fare.
Guests can expect menu staples such as house-cured bacon, hearty skillet dishes and biscuits made fresh daily.
The restaurant also offers brunch cocktails, including mimosas and its signature Breakfast Dude, a caffeinated cocktail made with cold brew, cream, vodka, Kahlúa and vanilla.
The new Brentwood location will be the brand’s fifth in Middle Tennessee, joining restaurants in Franklin, Spring Hill, Nashville and Murfreesboro.
An opening date has not yet been announced.
330 Franklin Pike Road
Paris Baguette
Known for its neighborhood bakery-café concept, Paris Baguette offers a wide selection of pastries, artisan breads, signature cakes and specialty beverages.
The bakery plans to join Culinary Dropout, Oak Hall and other tenants in Block E at McEwen Northside. The district’s newest 300,000-square-foot building celebrated its grand opening in September and is now fully leased, according to officials.
“McEwen Northside continues to grow as a vibrant, walkable district for locals and visitors alike, and we’re excited to welcome Paris Baguette to the mix,” said Grant Kinnett, vice president of retail at Boyle. “Its upscale bakery café concept will provide another unique dining and shopping experience for the surrounding Williamson County community to enjoy.”
The Franklin location will be Paris Baguette’s first in Williamson County and third in Middle Tennessee, joining existing locations in The Gulch and Murfreesboro.
An official opening date has not yet been announced.
4020 Aspen Grove Drive
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Franklin, Brentwood newest restaurants and what's coming soon
