Collierville is a town, not a city, and it guards its historic character closely, which shapes where and how restaurants open. Located in the southeast corner of Shelby County, it pairs a small-town square with a strong corporate and healthcare base, and A single Restaurant Finance Network application can put a Collierville remodel, acquisition or second store in front of several lenders at once.
Collierville snapshot
- Population: 51,909 (U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimate for July 1, 2025); 51,324 in the 2020 Census.
- County: Shelby.
- Dining areas: the historic Collierville Town Square, the Carriage Crossing open-air shopping center, and the Poplar Avenue and Houston Levee Road corridors.
What drives the Collierville restaurant scene
The Town Square is the heart of local dining. Its shaded park and restored train depot, complete with historic rail cars, are surrounded by Southern diners, pubs, pizza, coffee and fine dining, most of them independently owned. The square hosts community events through the year, and the holiday season in particular brings crowds downtown, which gives square restaurants a dependable peak.
Carriage Crossing and the Poplar Avenue corridor offer a different model, with national casual-dining brands, larger footprints and plenty of parking. Corporate employers keep weekday demand steady: FedEx has a large presence in town, Carrier operates here, and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Collierville adds healthcare workers and visiting families. Household incomes in the area support full-service dining and catering for private events. Because Collierville’s population has leveled off, much of the restaurant opportunity now comes from taking over or refreshing existing spaces rather than building on new land.
Financing options that fit Collierville owners
- SBA loans for buying an established square restaurant or the building it sits in.
- Construction and renovation loans for updating older spaces, where historic-district design standards can affect the scope and timeline.
- Commercial real estate loans for owners who want to stop renting.
- Equipment financing when an aging hood, range or walk-in finally needs replacing.
- Catering business financing for restaurants serving corporate lunches and private events.
Second locations in the southeast Memphis suburbs
Collierville operators often look at Germantown, Piperton or Olive Branch, Mississippi, for a second store, since those markets share a similar customer. Memphis restaurants, in turn, see Collierville as a natural suburban expansion. An expansion loan is easier to place when the first location has a clean deposit history and the owner can show a full budget for the new site. Operators with three or more stores will find more on multi-location restaurant financing.
Licensing and local support
Collierville’s town government reviews beer permits, and spirits, wine or high-gravity beer by the drink need state approval from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. Collierville businesses fall under the SBA’s Memphis virtual office for phone help, with appointments at the Tennessee District Office in Nashville. The Tennessee Small Business Development Center’s Memphis office on East Shelby Drive is a short drive west.
Questions owners ask
Can I finance a renovation of a restaurant near the Collierville Town Square?
Yes. Renovation loans and SBA loans can cover remodels, kitchen upgrades and code work. Collierville’s historic district has design standards for exterior changes, so build review time into your schedule before committing to an opening date. Lenders will want contractor bids, the lease or deed and a contingency for surprises common in older buildings.
Where do I get a liquor license in Collierville?
Collierville restaurants usually need a beer permit from the Town of Collierville and, to serve spirits, wine or high-gravity beer, a liquor-by-the-drink license from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The state restaurant license has seating and food-revenue rules, so confirm eligibility for your concept before you sign a lease.
Is there an SBA office near Collierville?
Collierville owners can phone the SBA’s Memphis virtual office, which serves Shelby County, or book an in-person appointment at the Tennessee District Office in Nashville. For free planning help, the Tennessee Small Business Development Center has a Memphis office on East Shelby Drive. The SBA backs loans made by approved lenders, so a broker can help find active restaurant lenders.
Nearby cities
Nearby markets in the eastern suburbs include Germantown and Bartlett, with Memphis to the west; the Tennessee hub covers the full state list. When you are ready, check what you qualify for.