The emergence of Nashville's dining scene — from food trucks to fine dining — has been a multiyear story that brought with it more success stories in 2012. At the same time, Middle Tennessee's broader growth story continues to attract regional and national dining concepts as well as other retailers. Those two trends feature prominently on this list, which also touches on the acrimonious proxy contest at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.

 
1. Brentwood spa files for Ch. 11
Revenues down more than 10% since 2010

2. Seafood-and-chicken chain looks to build local network
Franchisees aiming for three units in next 15 months, at least two more after that

3. The Food Biz: From mattresses to suds
New breweries Broadcast and Fat Bottom to operate from former Fluffo site

4. Opry Mills lands three more tenants
Two national food chains joining Earthbound

5. $1.5B restaurant chain quietly moves HQ here
J. Alexander’s buyer settling in at O’Charley’s home office

6. Nashville West sells for $73M
German company takes over portion of Charlotte Pike megadevelopment

7. The Food Biz: Hot tomato
Two prominent chefs team to bring 'upscale, casual' Italian to East Nashville

8. Two more restaurant chains target Music City
Carolina, Atlanta franchisors want to open almost 30 outlets across state by 2017

9. Cracker Barrel brings back poison pill
Investors in December voted down previous plan to contain Biglari

10. The Food Biz: Hot chicken in Midtown
The Bishop family's molten poultry stars at Hattie B's

 
To see our other 2012 Top Reads rundowns, click here.