The long string of announcements of new restaurants opening in Cullman may not be coming to an end for quite some time.

Just this month, Chipotle, typically found in larger markets, and Newk’s Eatery both sent word they are coming to Cullman before year’s end.

In about a two-year span, Cullman has welcomed about two dozen restaurants to the dining community, with many of those national brand names, mixed with a few local start-ups.

By all reports, the decision to open in Cullman has been worthwhile for the restaurants.

“We know that many of the restaurants that are a part of larger companies are operating above the national average. Based on gross receipts from the restaurants, from 2016 through 2018, business for restaurants here is up 19 percent,” said Susan Eller of the Cullman Economic Development Agency.

While the exact figures are not available, Eller said the business generated by restaurants in the market amount to multi-million dollars in sales.

“A lot of the talk in the retail sector nationally is how food is trending so well,” Eller said. “While some people like to shop online, visiting a restaurant remains popular and people want a lot of choices.”

While Cullman is considered a small market, many restaurants have been looking and finding locations they want here. With people pouring in from several counties for shopping and services, the market operates larger than the population indicates.

“There are a lot of reasons people are coming into Cullman, not just for services and shopping, but local events. All of those factors have given people a chance to see the community and come back,” Eller said. “The Shrimp Basket in the short time they have been here has broken records in their company and the crowds are still coming.”

As Cullman went on a growth surge after the destruction of the 2011 tornado outbreak, a greater variety of restaurant is one thing local residents began requesting. While Olive Garden, one of the most requested, Red Lobster and others have not moved here, Eller said continued growth and support of local businesses makes a difference in continuing to diversify shopping and dining.

“Every day that you shop or dine in your local community provides a greater opportunity for us to promote Cullman,” Eller said. “We’ve been able to show some impressive figures on sales and we want to continue to be able to do that and bring more for people to enjoy here.”

Just in the eight years since the tornadoes, the variety of businesses has expanded vastly.

“Just look at some of the local specialty stores that are drawing shoppers and the restaurants that have opened at the local level. They have given some greater varieties for all of us and are attracting visitors as well,” Eller said. “When it comes to drawing restaurants and retail stores that are a national brand, they look at the metropolitan areas and often beyond. We can’t say what the future holds in those areas, but growing our market and business climate goes a long way to what we will see in the future.”

David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-2131, ext. 116.