The Franklin bar long known as Tin Roof 2 isn't shutting down after all — it's getting a new name, a new owner and, according to that owner, a new attitude. The Carothers Parkway spot will reopen as The Rafters after changing hands this past weekend, with the kitchen staying open even as the business works to secure fresh alcohol permits.
Ownership of the bar changed hands on October 10, according to owner Max Coyle; the previous operators had announced the planned closure at the September 18, 2026, Beer Board meeting. Coyle, who owns W-C Bar LLC, bought Tin Roof 2's assets and is renaming the longtime watering hole The Rafters, according to WKRN News 2. The kitchen will keep serving while the business pursues a new beer permit and liquor license under the new name.
A Closure Announcement, Then a Quick Turnaround
Tin Roof 2 had been headed toward shutting its doors entirely, with the previous owners announcing at the September 18, 2026, Beer Board meeting that the bar would close on October 9 after the Franklin Beer Board questioned its beer license. The Franklin Beer Board voted on September 18, 2026, to suspend Tin Roof 2's beer permit for three weeks beginning October 10.
Beyond the suspension, the board also fined Tin Roof 2 $2,500 over claims that the bar had overserved intoxicated customers, per the same account. The Franklin Beer Board, the City of Franklin and the Franklin Police Department all declined to comment on the matter, WKRN reported.
Nearly 100 Police Calls in a Year
Part of what fueled scrutiny of the bar was its record with local law enforcement. The Franklin Police Department reported nearly 100 calls for service at the location over the past year and described it as a burden on officers, the unlinked station report states. A related figure comes from Williamson Scene, which reported that police responded to 95 calls for service at Tin Roof 2 between August 1, 2025, and August 2, 2026.
New Owner Promises a Different Vibe
Coyle, who lives in Franklin with his family, says he plans to adjust the bar's hours of operation and extensively train new staff as part of the transition. He's also aiming to shift the atmosphere toward something more family-friendly, telling WKRN that changes are already underway and that he sees himself as responsible for making sure the bar earns a good reputation in town.
At the same time, Coyle described the bar as a special place whose soul he wants to preserve even as he overhauls how it operates. To get The Rafters serving alcohol again, Coyle said he intends to go before the Franklin Beer Board as a new entity entirely, separate from the business that drew the earlier sanctions. The Rafters was scheduled to meet with the board Tuesday, October 13, as it works to secure a new beer permit. No grand-opening date has been announced; the bar says it will share that information at a later time.
