St. Louis staple Imo’s Pizza is plotting a move into the Nashville market, with plans to open its first Tennessee restaurant in the Nashville area around early 2027. The chain, famous for its ultra-thin, square-cut pies and signature Provel cheese, is set to bring its toasted ravioli and Provel bites to Music City as another big-name entrant in an already crowded restaurant scene.
According to the Nashville Post, the company is targeting an early 2027 debut for the Nashville-area location, which will mark Imo’s first restaurant in Tennessee. The outlet reports that the timing ultimately depends on local permitting and construction, based on details shared in a company release.
Imo’s roots and the menu
Founded in 1964 in St. Louis, Imo’s has built a loyal following around a thin, crispy crust cut into squares and topped edge to edge with Provel, a processed blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone. The company’s corporate history notes that the brand operates nearly 100 franchise locations across Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas and ships its products nationwide, a capacity that Imo’s says helps support expansion into new markets. That same history from Imo’s Pizza highlights the chain’s longtime staples, including its square-cut pizzas, Provel bites, and toasted ravioli, all of which are expected to make the jump to the Nashville menu.
A local owner and a CEO’s pitch
Trade reporting indicates the Nashville restaurant will be owned and operated by a local military veteran, fitting into Imo’s broader strategy of working with neighborhood-based franchisees. “We’re excited to bring Imo’s Pizza to Nashville and introduce a new audience to the flavors that have defined our brand for generations,” Imo’s President and CEO Dutch Guidici told QSR Magazine.
Why Nashville fits the plan
Company leaders have outlined a growth strategy that prioritizes nearby metropolitan areas where existing distribution and production capacity make expansion realistic, a playbook that puts Nashville squarely in the mix. As St. Louis Magazine reported, Guidici has said Imo’s is “poised to grow” in markets within driving distance of St. Louis and has invested in warehouse capacity to support that rollout.
What to watch next
Imo’s franchising site outlines available markets and investor requirements and emphasizes that the company is actively recruiting operators for new territories, which makes that portal a likely spot for updates on the Nashville project. Expect site selection, permitting, and buildout timelines to dictate the final opening date as the company moves from announcement to construction, with more details expected from the brand and local officials as plans are finalized. Imo’s Pizza
