Updated with additional information on Taco John’s.

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Multiple fast food chains are planting their flags in Clarksville, along with a few other well-known franchises.

According to building officials with the City of Clarksville and Montgomery County, plans are in place for three Whataburger locations. Two more Taco John’s locations are planned. In addition, a local Starbucks is set to reopen in the coming months following a lengthy remodel.

Whataburger

Whataburger is a regional fast food restaurant chain based in San Antonio, Texas. They are known for their hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, and even breakfast items like pancakes and biscuits.

Multiple Whataburger locations are planned for Clarksville, but when they will open is still not clear.

Whataburger is coming to North 2nd Street, at the former Shoney’s location downtown. Two other Whataburger locations may also be in the mix.

City Building Inspector Matthew Smiley confirmed that building permits had been filed by Whataburger for three different locations.

“There are three. There is one there at Shoney’s off of Kraft Street,” Smiley told Clarksville Now. “Then there is another one off of Fort Campbell (Boulevard) and 101st (Airborne Division Parkway), and then one off of Madison Street in the old IHOP.”

None of the permits have been approved yet.

Whataburger media representatives weren’t yet ready to confirm the second or third Whataburger locations.

Taco John’s

Taco John’s serves a variety of Mexican food favorites, including tacos, burritos, and nachos. They are especially known for their Potato Olés, which are bite-sized deep-fried potato nuggets.

Taco Johns returned to Clarksville in May, opening a new location at 955 N. Riverside Drive.

Franchisee Kevin Newell, who owns several other restaurants, told Clarksville Now a second location is under construction at Exit 8 on Hankook Road, and a third location is under construction on Fort Campbell Boulevard.

He said he’s excited to bring the brand to underserved areas of Clarksville following the opening of the first location.

“I live close to Exit 8, and Taco John’s was my wife’s first job. My children enjoy the food, and I know they didn’t have a presence in the last decade or so in Middle Tennessee, so I thought it was a great opportunity. It’s a great brand with great food, and I thought it made a lot of sense.”

Newell said the Fort Campbell Boulevard location will open in October, and the Hankook Road location in December.

Starbucks 

Famous for coffee and other treats, Starbucks Coffee Company currently operates out of five locations in Clarksville: Trenton Road, Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, College Street, Fort Campbell Boulevard, and Hampton Place.

A sixth location at 2235 Madison St. closed in March 2022 due to a fire inside the building. The shop has been listed as “temporarily closed” ever since.

No employees were hurt, and they were reassigned to other Starbucks locations in Clarksville, leaving many to wonder when or if the Madison Street shop would reopen. Fans of the coffee franchise may now have an answer.

Smiley confirmed that the company has been issued a permit for renovations.

“The Starbucks does have a permit,” said Smiley, noting he was not sure when they plan to open. The permit was issued July 25, according to public records.

Clarksville Now has reached out to Starbucks for comment.

Other projects

A 7th Sonic Drive-In is in the works, following the opening of two new Dutch Bros coffee shops. The Chick-fil-A on Madison Street is also under construction in a major remodel.

To add to these developments, a new convenience store may also make its way to the city.

“There is an application for a Raceway on Providence Boulevard,” Smiley said. While an application is on the table, no permit has been issued yet, so nothing is set in stone.

Clarksville is currently home to many convenience stores, but Raceway would be a new franchise in the mix. The company currently operates over 200 stores in 11 states, according to the Raceway website.