Walk Eat Nashville

What Walk Eat Nashville does

Walk Eat Nashville (legally Explore Nashville Tours LLC) is a privately held, woman-owned experiential tourism company founded in 2014 by Karen-Lee Ryan and currently led by CEO Shannon Largen, who assumed ownership in 2021. The company operates guided walking food tours across multiple Nashville neighborhoods — Downtown, East Nashville, Music Row, 12South, and Franklin (the latter paused, scheduled to return Spring 2026) — with small groups capped at 12 guests and typically five tasting stops per tour. Tour guides are local food writers, music industry insiders, and hospitality professionals, and the company partners with chef-owned Nashville restaurants including James Beard Award-recognized establishments such as Sean Brock's Joyland, Chef Deb Paquette's Etch, and Prince's Hot Chicken.

The core product portfolio consists of six tour SKUs: the Downtown "Dishing on Downtown" tour (the highest-frequency offering), East Nashville "Forks & Phoenixes" (Fridays and Saturdays), Music Row "Tracks & Tastes" (Tuesdays), 12South "Murals & Morsels" (Thursdays), Franklin "Savor the Charm & History" (paused), and Walk Drink Nashville, a cocktail-focused variant. Add-on offerings include private tours for friends/family groups, private corporate tours for groups up to 85, and gift cards. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the company website with FareHarbor booking integration; enterprise bookings are handled via inquiry forms.

The business model is primarily transactional ticket revenue (East Nashville priced at $109 per person, more than double the 2015 Midtown launch price of $49), supplemented by restaurant partnership tastings, voluntary guide gratuities, gift card sales, and private group bookings. Customer segments span tourists/visitors, Nashville locals, friends/family groups for special occasions, and corporate clients including Amazon, Deloitte, and PepsiCo. Marketing relies on earned media (Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, NBC Today Show, US News & World Report), content marketing via a Nashville food and culture blog, TripAdvisor review accumulation (1,000+ five-star reviews, multiple Traveler's Choice awards), and consecutive Nashville Scene "Best of Nashville" awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024. No institutional funding, parent company, or acquisition activity is disclosed; the company is a small (1-10 employees) bootstrapped operator.

Name

Walk Eat Nashville

Legal name

Explore Nashville Tours LLC

Website

https://walkeatnashville.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Walk Eat Nashville (Explore Nashville Tours LLC) operates guided walking food tours across Nashville neighborhoods, featuring small groups of 12 or fewer and five tasting stops. Serves tourists, locals, private groups, and corporate clients such as Amazon, Deloitte, and PepsiCo.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Tour Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Food, Market & Culinary Culture Tours (THAJAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Culinary Walking & Market Tours (THAJAGAA), Street Food Tours (THAJAGAC)

Keywords

• Guided food tours
• Walking tours
• Culinary experiences
• Neighborhood tours
• Small group tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tour ticket sales: Primary revenue from selling tickets to guided food tours (Downtown, East Nashville, Music Row, 12South, Franklin). Includes 5 tasting stops per tour with professional guide narration.
2. Restaurant partnership tastings: Partner restaurants provide food tastings during tours - restaurants pay or provide complimentary tastings to be featured to tour groups.
3. Tour guide gratuities: Gratuities for tour guides are not included in ticket price but are always appreciated and accepted via cash, Venmo, or chocolate.
4. Gift certificates: Gift cards sold through FareHarbor platform for tour experiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Walk Eat Nashville sells tickets to guided small-group walking food tours (maximum 12 guests) through multiple Nashville neighborhoods—Downtown, East Nashville, Music Row, 12South, and Franklin—with each tour including about 5 food tastings equivalent to a full meal plus storytelling. The company also sells a cocktail-focused tour (Walk Drink Nashville), private group experiences for friends/family and corporate clients, and gift cards, with bookings processed through the FareHarbor platform.

Product overview

Walk Eat Nashville operates a portfolio of guided walking food tours across Nashville neighborhoods including Downtown, East Nashville, Music Row, 12South, and Franklin. The core offerings include neighborhood-specific food tours (Downtown Nashville, East Nashville, Music Row, 12South) and specialty tours such as Walk Drink Nashville for cocktails. The company also offers private tour options for friends/family events and corporate team-building. All tours feature small groups (12 guests or fewer), multiple tasting stops (typically 5 food stops), and locally owned restaurant partnerships. Franklin tours are currently paused with expected return in Spring 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Downtown Nashville Food Tour: Dishing on Downtown Guided small-group walking food tour (up to 12 guests) through Downtown Nashville featuring iconic landmarks and hidden restaurants in the heart of Music City, with tastings at 5 restaurants and storytelling about local history and culture. Operates almost daily and is the company's most popular tour.
• East Nashville Food Tour: Forks & Phoenixes Guided small-group walking food tour (up to 12 guests) through East Nashville showcasing chef-owned restaurants and creative eateries; the company's original and second most popular tour. Operates Fridays and Saturdays at $109 per person, including 5 tasting stops equivalent to lunch over approximately 3 hours and less than 1.5 miles of walking.
• Music Row Music & Food Tour: Tracks & Tastes Guided walking food tour exploring Nashville's Music Row recording industry heritage while visiting neighborhood restaurants; operates on Tuesdays.
• 12South Mural & Food Tour: Murals & Morsels Food and mural walking tour pairing crave-worthy dishes with photo-ready street art in Nashville's 12South neighborhood; operates on Thursdays.
• Franklin Food Tour: Savor the Charm & History Guided food tour through historic Franklin, Tennessee, located 30 minutes south of Nashville, showcasing Southern comfort classics and local history; currently paused with return expected Spring 2026.
• Walk Drink Nashville – Downtown Cocktails Guided cocktail walking tour through Downtown Nashville featuring 4 alcoholic beverages along with snacks at select establishments; standard tickets non-changeable/non-cancellable, with an optional Flexible Ticket allowing cancellation or changes up to 24 hours before the tour.
• Private Tours – Friends & Family Customized private walking food tours for friends, families, and special occasions including reunions, birthdays, and girls' getaways; available daily with flexible scheduling so guests can simply show up.
• Private Tours – Corporate & Team Events Private corporate food tours designed for team-building, client entertainment, and networking events; accommodates enterprise groups with customizable experiences, including past bookings from Amazon, Deloitte, and PepsiCo.
• Gift Cards Gift certificates for Walk Eat Nashville food tours available for purchase through the FareHarbor booking platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• Small group experience of 12 guests or fewer ensures personalized attention and quality
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

35 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Farm HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDowntown Nashville restaurant partner featuring locally sourced Southern cuisine. Chef Trey Cioccia's establishment included in food tour tastings.
• Black RabbitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProhibition-era cocktail lounge and restaurant by Trey Cioccia featuring wood-fired cooking. Featured on Downtown tour.
• BakersfieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDowntown Mexican street food spot featuring tacos and premium margaritas. Part of Downtown Nashville food tour.
• Prince's Hot ChickencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegendary Nashville hot chicken institution, pioneer of the Nashville hot chicken tradition since 1930s. Featured on Downtown tour.
• Edley's BBQcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal BBQ chain with multiple locations in Nashville. Features on East Nashville and Franklin tours. Known for scratch-made sides.
• Butcher & BeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChef Bryan Lee Weaver's restaurant featuring Israeli-Southern fusion. Known for whipped feta with fermented honey. Featured on East Nashville tour.
• Lockeland TablecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouthern-accented New American restaurant in East Nashville. Features on East Nashville food tour.
• Five Points PizzacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEast Nashville pizza restaurant voted Nashville's Best Pizza. Features on East Nashville tour.
• Hattie B'scoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPopular hot chicken restaurant with multiple Nashville locations. Featured on Franklin tour.
• Urban GrubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner12South restaurant featuring upscale Southern fare with fire pit dining. Featured on 12South Mural & Food Tour.
• Five Daughters BakerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNashville's 100-layer donut bakery. Featured on 12South tour with crave-worthy desserts.
• JoylandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSean Brock's comfort food restaurant in East Nashville. Featured on East Nashville tour.
• Tailgate BreweryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal brewery featured on Music Row tour for craft beer tastings.
• Honeytree MeaderyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNashville's first meadery featuring honey wines. Featured on East Nashville tour.
• GReKO Greek Street FoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthentic Greek street food restaurant. Featured on East Nashville tour.
• Thai EsaneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFresh, authentic Southeast Asian cuisine in East Nashville. Featured on East Nashville tour.
• Limo Peruvian EateryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthentic Peruvian flavors restaurant. Featured on East Nashville tour.
• I Dream of WeenieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIconic hot dog stand from retrofitted VW bus in East Nashville. Featured on East Nashville tour.
• The Turnip TruckminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocally owned natural foods grocer in East Nashville. Featured on East Nashville tour.
• Yeast NashvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBakery specializing in kolaches. Featured on East Nashville tour.
• East Park DonutsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrom-scratch donut shop in East Nashville. Featured on East Nashville tour.
• Buttermilk RanchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialty pizza and casual dining in 12South. Featured on 12South tour.
• Hearts NashvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVegetarian restaurant in 12South. Featured on 12South Mural & Food Tour.
• Grey's Fine CheeseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCheese shop featured on Franklin tour.
• White AlligatorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant featured on Franklin food tour.
• Fork of the SouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFranklin food hall featuring gelato and Italian fare. Featured on Franklin tour.
• D'Andrews Bakery & CafeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDowntown bakery featuring Double Chocolate Dulcey Cookie. Featured on Downtown tour.
• Ella's on SecondminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDowntown Nashville restaurant partner.
• Deacon's New SouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDry-aged steak restaurant with cocktail program. Featured on Downtown tour.
• The Southern Steak & OysterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDowntown Nashville restaurant partner.
• GooGoo ClusterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNashville's original candy cluster company since 1912. Featured on Downtown tour.
• EtchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChef Deb Paquette's restaurant featuring modern American cuisine. Featured on Downtown tour.
• Midtown CafeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing Nashville restaurant featured on Music Row tour.
• Sadie'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic Row restaurant partner.
• The Well CoffeehouseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoffee shop featured on Music Row tour.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Withlocals: Marketplace and operator of small-group food and neighborhood tours worldwide; offers comparable guided culinary experiences in multiple cities with local guides.
• Eating Europe: International small-group food tour brand offering neighborhood walking tours with multiple tastings per tour, comparable in product design and tour length.
• Taste Food Tours: Multi-city walking food tour operator offering neighborhood-based tastings; comparable product structure and target customer to Walk Eat Nashville.
• Secret Food Tours: Global walking food tour operator active in 60+ cities; directly comparable multi-stop, guided tasting-tour format with small groups and curated restaurant partners.
• Devour Tours: US- and Europe-focused small-group food tour operator with chef-led neighborhood walking tours, closely matching Walk Eat Nashville's format and customer experience.
• Sidewalk Food Tours: US-based small-group walking food tour operator in multiple cities; directly comparable in tour format, group size, and partner-restaurant tasting model.

Broad incumbents

• GetYourGuide: Global tours and activities marketplace aggregating walking food tours; comparable distribution channel and competitor set to Walk Eat Nashville.
• Viator: TripAdvisor-owned online tour and experiences marketplace that aggregates food tours including Walk Eat Nashville's competitors; a broad incumbent that influences price transparency and discovery.
• Airbnb Experiences: Airbnb-hosted marketplace for local tours and culinary experiences; competes for the same tourist customer with comparable small-group food tour offerings.

Others

• FareHarbor: Booking and reservation platform already used by Walk Eat Nashville; serves as enabling infrastructure for small tour operators and is therefore a relevant ecosystem participant.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/walkeatnash
• Facebookfacebook.com/WalkEatNashville
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/walkeatnashville

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Walk Eat Nashville