The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has released its most recent batch of retail food health scores for Rutherford County, providing a detailed look at the sanitary conditions of everything from major grocery chains to neighborhood gas stations. As of October 8, 2026, the data reveals a wide spectrum of performance across Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, and surrounding areas, highlighting both exemplary hygiene practices and some rooms for improvement.
Several establishments achieved perfect marks during their last visits. Among those earning a flawless 100 were Costco Wholesale on Beasie Road and Corlew Market on MTSU Boulevard. The high standard extended to specialty kiosks as well, with multiple AFC Sushi locations inside Publix stores scoring perfectly or near-perfectly, including sites on New Salem Highway and Franklin Road. Chiki Ice Cream in Smyrna also joined the ranks of top performers by securing a maximum score.
However, not every business fared as well under the inspector’s lens. While many convenience store staples like 7-Eleven and Circle K maintained respectable scores mostly in the eighties and nineties, there were notable dips. For instance, an Almaville Station location struggled significantly with a score of 64, while others such as Asia Market and Thai Phuket Inc saw lower results that suggest necessary operational changes to meet state standards.
For residents navigating their daily errands through Dollar General outlets or quick stops at local marts, these reports serve as a transparent guide to where they are shopping. With inspections occurring throughout late 2025 and mid-2026, the county continues to monitor various vendors to ensure public safety remains a priority across all retail food environments.
