When Kerry Pharr first strolled through a Dallas Home Show as a successful real estate investor, he never imagined that a chance encounter with a decorative concrete demo would redirect his life’s work—and that of countless homes and businesses across the Southeast. But that winter day changed everything. Recognizing both beauty and opportunity in decorative concrete—everything from polished countertops and stamped patios to acid‐stained floors—Kerry and his wife decided to bring those possibilities back to his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. Thus, in early 2006, TKO Concrete Coatings opened its doors, vowing to “strike back” at tired, cracked, and conventional concrete surfaces.
Laying the Foundation in Nashville
Kerry’s timing was impeccable. Nashville was booming, custom‐home builders were looking to differentiate their product, and decorative concrete was emerging as the must‐have upgrade. One of TKO’s first major residential breaks came when Karl Worley, then a builder for Celebration Homes of Brentwood (and future co‐founder of Biscuit Love), called on TKO to stain and polish floors for a showcase of new homes. Over the next two years, TKO stained driveways, porches, and patios on nearly 40 Celebration Homes projects, and then expanded into Franklin’s Westhaven subdivision, quietly turning ordinary slabs into elegant canvases.
By the winter of 2007–2008, when much of the residential market slowed, Kerry’s tenacity paid off: TKO landed a massive contract to coat more than 100 condominiums in the Rhythm and ICON buildings in downtown Nashville. Overnight, a small crew became a powerhouse capable of handling multi‐floor, fast‐turnaround jobs—laying the groundwork (literally and figuratively) for rapid growth.
From Residential Roots to Regional Road Warriors
By 2010, TKO Concrete Coatings had evolved beyond decorative overlays. Kerry recognized an even bigger market in industrial‐strength coatings—epoxy floors for restaurants, polycrete in cold‐storage freezers, and urethane cement in high‐traffic manufacturing plants. TKO’s crews hit the road from Nashville to Washington, D.C., down to Florida, and out to Texas, installing floors for restaurant names you know: Logan’s, Stoney River, On the Border, Taziki’s, Big Bad Breakfast, and many more. Their reputation for delivering a long‐lasting, low‐maintenance finish made them the preferred partner for clients who demanded both fast turns and bulletproof performance.
Food‐service manufacturers soon discovered TKO’s expertise in polycrete installations for walk‐in coolers and freezers—wandering between gigantic freezers at Maplehurst Bakery one week and then finishing auto‐repair shop floors in Florida the next. Before long, companies like August BioPharma, Gibson Guitar, Nashville Wire, and Weston Foods were tapping TKO’s crews for heavy‐duty industrial coatings that held up under forklifts, pallet jacks, and 24/7 production. It was clear: TKO had become more than a residential decorative shop—it was a full‐service concrete coatings and finishing powerhouse.
A Partnership Forged in Experience
Fast forward to 2014. Kerry Pharr joined forces with Gary Vincent, an engineer whose résumé included building sprawling manufacturing plants and pouring—and finishing—millions of square feet of concrete floors. The marriage of Kerry’s entrepreneurial vision and Gary’s technical expertise gave birth to TKO Concrete Finishing, a sister company designed to tackle the trickiest, most specialized concrete challenges—everything from new‐construction slabs to intricate restoration work on historic floors. Gary’s engineering expertise and decades of experience pouring and finishing millions of square feet of commercial and industrial concrete have been a game-changer for our growth; his ability to diagnose complex structural challenges and devise precise, efficient solutions has opened doors to high-profile industrial and manufacturing clients. With Gary’s meticulous attention to detail and innovative approach to large-scale projects, TKO has confidently expanded its service offerings, secured major contracts, and solidified its reputation as the regional leader in both new-build and specialty concrete work. Together, Kerry and Gary reinforced TKO’s promise: “No matter how complex the project, we’ll deliver the strength, beauty, and longevity your concrete deserves.”
Today, these two companies—TKO Concrete Coatings (roof to floor decorative applications, epoxy and color‐polished surfaces) and TKO Concrete Finishing (structural slabs, industrial floor systems, and restorations)—share one unified mission: to transform ordinary concrete into show‐stopping surfaces that stand the test of time. Whether it’s a boutique restaurant in downtown Nashville, a sprawling cold‐storage facility in Georgia, or a custom home in Brentwood, TKO’s hallmark is the same: unmatched attention to detail, an insistence on premium materials, and a crew as passionate about concrete as an artist is about canvas.
Beyond the Slab: Community, Craftsmanship, and Commitment
But TKO’s story isn’t just about flooring. It’s about building relationships—supporting local contractors, partnering with charitable building projects, and mentoring the next generation of concrete applicators. From sponsoring missions work to providing pro‐bono floor repairs for the down and out
, Kerry and Gary have
made it their business to give back. The result? A spotless reputation for integrity, creativity, and reliability—a reputation that keeps builders, architects, and homeowners calling even after a decade and a half.
“When we say ‘TKO,’ we mean it,” Kerry remarks. “Concrete can be tough, unforgiving, and full of hidden surprises—but if you bring the right approach, it can be absolutely stunning. We’ve built this company on tackling the most challenging jobs and making our clients’ headaches disappear—knocking out problems one floor at a time.”
Looking Down the Road
Now, as TKO Concrete Coatings and TKO Concrete Finishing gear up for the next chapter, you can expect even more innovation—laser‐etched polished floors for showrooms, eco‐friendly polyurethanes with minimal VOC content, and cutting‐edge moisture mitigation systems for historic renovations. Kerry and Gary are already testing new self‐leveling overlays and advanced stain formulas that mimic exotic marbles and concrete aggregates. The goal? To keep TKO at the forefront of both style and substance, ensuring that Tennessee—and beyond—continues to enjoy the finest concrete solutions available.
If you’ve got a cracked slab, a dull garage floor, or a high‐traffic warehouse in need of industrial‐grade protection, look no further than the industry veterans at TKO. Whether it’s an ornamental finish or a heavy‐duty system designed for forklifts, they’re ready to roll up their sleeves. From that fateful Home Show in Dallas to the gleaming epoxy and stained masterpieces they’re laying today, Kerry and Gary—backed by a devoted crew—have proven one thing: with TKO Concrete Coatings and TKO Concrete Finishing on the job, no concrete challenge is too tough to conquer.
Ready to transform your floors?
Call TKO Concrete Coatings & Finishing today at (615) 414-3727 or visit tkoconcrete.com to schedule a free estimate. Let the “knockout” team turn your concrete into a showpiece—beautiful, durable, and built to last.
