Asian Restaurant Industry in Skien: Current Status and Future Prospects

Overview of the Asian Restaurant Industry in Skien

The Asian restaurant industry in Skien is a small but dynamic sector with three registered companies. The industry has shown both strength and instability over time, with total sales volume of NOK 11.7 million in 2024 and 19 employees. The EBITDA margin stands at 2%, indicating moderate profitability. The industry has been marked by significant variations in sales and number of employees, with a sharp decline in 2025. This means that entrepreneurs must consider both potential and risk before seeking to establish themselves here.

Sales and Employees in the Asian Restaurant Industry in Skien (2016–2025):

Key Figures:

• Average sales per employee: NOK 617,000 (2024)
• Average EBITDA per employee: NOK 18,300 (2024)
• Gross margin: 69% (2024)
• Operating margin: 0% (2024)

The industry has shown a sharp increase in sales from 2021 to 2022 (+92.2%), but a dramatic decline in 2025 (-80.6%). This shows significant uncertainty in the market, which entrepreneurs must take into account.

In Skien, there are three companies registered in the Asian restaurant industry:

1. New Agra As (Kverndalsgata 3, Skien)

• Founded: 2011-10-01
• Number of employees: 10
• Sales: NOK 9.6M (2024)
• EBITDA: NOK 472,000 (2024)
• Organizational form: AS

1. Lietorvet Kafe & Pizza As (Liegata 10, Skien)

• Founded: 2016-11-01
• Number of employees: 7
• Sales: NOK 499,000 (2024)
• EBITDA: NOK -224,000 (2024)
• Organizational form: AS

1. Baan Thai Takeaway As (Kverndalsgata 4A, Skien)

• Founded: 2013-01-17
• Number of employees: 2
• Sales: NOK 1.7M (2024)
• EBITDA: NOK 2,000 (2024)
• Organizational form: AS

Organizational form: All companies are registered as AS (limited liability company). There are no bankruptcy registrations in the industry in Skien.

All companies in the Asian restaurant industry in Skien are located in Skien. There is no detailed data on distribution within the municipality, but all companies are registered in central parts of Skien, such as Kverndalsgata and Liegata. This suggests that the industry is concentrated in the city center, which can be an advantage for entrepreneurs seeking to establish themselves in the area.

Bankruptcy Statistics: There are no bankruptcy registrations in the Asian restaurant industry in Skien, which shows relative stability in the industry. However, some companies show negative EBITDA values, such as Lietorvet Kafe & Pizza As (NOK -224,000 in 2024). This may indicate economic challenges for certain companies.

Sales Development: Sales have grown sharply from 2021 to 2022 (+92.2%), but have then fallen sharply in 2025 (-80.6%). This shows significant uncertainty in the market, which entrepreneurs must consider.

Number of Employees: The number of employees has fluctuated greatly over time, with a maximum of 21 employees in 2023 and a minimum of 6 employees in 2021. This can be a challenge for companies seeking to maintain stable operations.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs in the Asian restaurant industry in Skien, there are both opportunities and challenges. The industry has shown potential for growth, as shown in the sales increase from 2021 to 2022. However, there is also significant uncertainty in the market, as shown in the sharp decline in 2025. Entrepreneurs should therefore be prepared to handle both growth and decline in the market.

Recommendation: Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in central parts of Skien, where there is already a concentration of companies in the industry. This can provide benefits from existing customer bases and infrastructure. At the same time, entrepreneurs should be aware of economic challenges, as shown in some companies' negative EBITDA values.

Outlook for the Broader Industry (Restaurant/Café)

Broader Industry (Restaurant/Café) in Skien:

• Number of companies: 102
• Total sales in 2025: NOK 263.4 million
• Total number of employees in 2025: 660
• Year-over-Year Sales Growth (2024–2025): +9.9%
• Year-over-Year Employee Growth (2024–2025): +5.8%

Top Companies in the Broader Industry (Sorted by EBITDA):

Contrast to the Asian Restaurant Industry: The broader industry (restaurant/café) has a much higher sales volume and number of employees compared to the Asian restaurant industry. This shows that the Asian restaurant industry is a smaller but important part of the broader industry. Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in an industry that has shown stable growth, such as the broader restaurant industry, but be aware of the unique challenges in the Asian restaurant industry.

The Asian restaurant industry in Skien is a small but dynamic sector with both opportunities and challenges. The industry has shown potential for growth, but also significant uncertainty in the market. Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in central parts of Skien, where there is already a concentration of companies in the industry. At the same time, entrepreneurs should be aware of economic challenges, as shown in some companies' negative EBITDA values. The broader industry (restaurant/café) has shown stable growth, which can be an advantage for entrepreneurs seeking to establish themselves in Skien. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and develop strategies to establish themselves in this industry.