The President of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce says recent growth in Columbia is the reason many major chain restaurants have begun opening their first locations in the city recently.
Dunkin Donuts, Jack in the Box, Chick-fil-A have all recent announced plans for new Columbia locations this month.
Moe's Southwest Grill opened Thursday, and H&M opened a store in September.
President of the Chamber of Commerce Marr McCormick said businesses like these usually look at population, household incomes, and spending habits when considering entering new markets.
"You also have to take a look at the population growth that we've had. We've held steady. I think it's 2.4% or 2.5% of population growth every year for the last a number of years," he said.
McCormick said the student population in Columbia is also attractive to some companies.
McCormick said Columbia’s business environment also played a role.
"At the end of last year and beginning of this year we were rated as the number one small city in America to do business,” McCormick said.