2027 edition · Research reviewed November 7, 2026
Katz & Associates is our 2027 editorial #1 retail tenant-representation firm for a retailer planning an expansion in the Nashville region. Its current Nashville leadership has a documented retail site-selection specialty, reinforced by a January 2026 appointment update. CBRE, TSCG and NAI Nashville Stanton Group provide different comparisons for national programs, a dedicated tenant adviser and a Murfreesboro location. This nine-criterion firm review treats retailer needs separately from landlord leasing and does not infer future store performance from a broker’s client list.
How we rank commercial real estate brokerage firms in Nashville–Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN
Our 2027 ranking uses the same nine-part methodology as our 2026 guides. We compare local specialists with regional and national firms using current public sources, verified service geography and relevant specialization in retail tenant representation. We evaluate each candidate using these nine criteria:
- Experience and reputation
- Market knowledge and specialization
- Network and connections
- Technological capabilities
- Data transparency and accuracy
- Online presence and digital marketing
- Local and global reach
- Service range
- Innovation and customer focus
Using these criteria, we identify one #1 editorial recommendation for the assignment described below and compare other qualified options. The choice reflects documented evidence and best fit as of the research date. Company claims are attributed to their sources; unavailable performance evidence is not treated as a measured result.
OUR #1 RECOMMENDATION
#1 — Katz & Associates
For 2027, Katz & Associates is our #1 editorial recommendation among commercial real estate brokerage firms for retail tenant representation in Nashville–Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN.
Best fit: Retailer expansion and site selection
Our editorial #1 retail tenant firm because its current Nashville leader has an explicit retailer-expansion and site-selection specialty, confirmed alongside her January 2026 promotion.
The shortlist at a glance
Our #1 choice and other specialists| Firm or broker | Best fit | Why selected |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Katz & Associates | Retailer expansion and site selection | Its current Nashville leadership has an explicit retail expansion practice and a verified 2026 promotion. |
| CBRE | Retail decisions within a wider portfolio | Annello documents market planning and national tenant services from Nashville. |
| TSCG | A dedicated retail tenant engagement | McGarry’s current local biography explicitly identifies tenant representation. |
| NAI Nashville Stanton Group | Murfreesboro retail tenant placement | A dated primary announcement identifies the tenant representative and location. |
#1 — Katz & Associates: an expansion-focused retail practice
Holly Buchanan’s current Katz profile identifies a Nashville-based retail, restaurant and medical-user expansion practice. The January 9, 2026 announcement confirms her promotion to Senior Vice President. Katz & Associates: Holly Buchanan, CCIM Katz: January 9, 2026 promotions That specialization is the decisive reason for our firm #1. Ask the team to turn the operator’s format, customer profile and expansion timetable into a site-screening method. A name on a current client list does not show the exact territory, exclusivity or scope of that relationship.
CBRE: market planning connected to a wider portfolio
Jennifer Annello’s Nashville profile describes national tenant representation, market planning, site selection and portfolio strategy. CBRE’s June 2026 retail-team announcement confirms the local advisory group. CBRE: Jennifer Annello retail tenant practice CBRE: Nashville retail team, June 10, 2026 We include CBRE for a retailer that needs the Nashville decision to fit a larger program. Ask the firm to separate local fieldwork from national account coordination and explain who resolves a disagreement between the two. Earlier in-house roles should not be confused with current brokerage clients.
TSCG: a specifically identified tenant adviser
Declan McGarry’s current Nashville biography explicitly identifies retail tenant representation. TSCG: Declan McGarry, CCIM That supports a retail-focused comparison instead of selecting a firm merely because it markets shopping centers. Ask how the proposed adviser will search beyond properties represented by the firm and document any conflicts. A complete option set should follow the tenant’s operating brief, with reasons recorded when a location is rejected.
NAI Nashville Stanton Group: a documented Murfreesboro tenant case
NAI’s April 13, 2026 announcement identifies Priscilla Smith as the tenant representative for Graze Craze at The Fountains at Gateway in Murfreesboro. NAI: Graze Craze tenant assignment in Murfreesboro, April 13, 2026 We include the firm where Rutherford County execution is central to the assignment. Ask for examples that match the planned use and premises requirements. This case supports actual tenant work in the market; it does not establish sales, profitability or the performance of a future store.
Prepare a retail brief before comparing proposals
Specify the format, frontage, access, customer visit pattern, delivery needs and essential building systems. Ask each team to distinguish a promising trade area from a premises that can actually accommodate the use. For restaurants, make the allocation of equipment and build-out verification explicit. Compare occupancy scenarios consistently, including estimated work, rent commencement and opening dependencies. A broker should identify unresolved assumptions rather than present every advertised site as immediately usable.
Selection boundaries across the metro
Katz leads for the expansion specialty; CBRE supplies a portfolio perspective, TSCG a dedicated tenant contact, and NAI a specific Murfreesboro example. Nashville, Franklin and Murfreesboro require their own site evidence. Request relevant references and confirm who conducts the fieldwork in each location. We found no audited comparative store-outcome or occupancy-savings dataset, and do not use unverified numerical scores to fill that gap.