The Asian Restaurant Industry in Tromsø: Current Status and Future Outlook

Overview of the Asian Restaurant Industry in Tromsø

The Asian restaurant industry in Tromsø is a small but dynamic sector with 3 registered companies. In 2025, the industry achieved revenue of NOK 31.4 million, with an annual growth rate of +9.9% from 2024. Employment trends have been more variable, with a decline of -18.8% in 2024, but a strong increase of +36.7% in 2026. The industry has a low EBITDA margin of 3%, indicating that operating costs are significant relative to revenue. This is an important consideration for entrepreneurs evaluating entry into the sector.

Revenue and Operating Results:

• 2025 Revenue: NOK 31.4 million (increase of +9.9% from 2024)
• EBITDA: NOK 1.3 million (margin of 3%)
• Gross Margin: 75% (high margin due to low cost of raw materials relative to selling prices)

Employment Trends:

• 2026: 67 employees (increase of +36.7% from 2025)
• 2021: Decline of -16.7% (possibly impacted by the pandemic)

Operating Results:

• 2025: Operating result of NOK 952,000 (margin of 2%)
• 2022: Operating result of NOK 927,000 (margin of 5%)

Credit Situation:

• Total Debt: NOK 5.6 million (low debt relative to equity of NOK 23.7 million)
• Equity: NOK 23.7 million (strong financial position)

Growth:

• 2025-2026: Revenue increased by +36.7% (largest growth in the industry in recent years)
• 2020-2021: Revenue increased by +22.3% after a decline in 2020.

Registered Companies in Tromsø (2025):

1. Suvi As (Samuel Arnesens gate 5) – 48 employees, revenue NOK 15.2 million, EBITDA NOK 396,000
2. Tangs Restaurant As (Bankgata 7) – 20 employees, revenue NOK 17.1 million, EBITDA NOK 927,000
3. Oscars Restaurantdrift Özhan Akta (Strandtorget 3) – 0 employees, revenue NOK 0 (may be a new company or sole proprietorship)

Organizational Forms:

• AS (Stock Company): 2 companies (Suvi As and Tangs Restaurant As)
• ENK (Sole Proprietorship): 1 company (Oscars Restaurantdrift Özhan Akta)

Financial Status:

• Suvi As: Equity NOK 4.8 million, debt NOK 2.3 million
• Tangs Restaurant As: Equity NOK 18.9 million, debt NOK 3.2 million
• Oscars Restaurantdrift Özhan Akta: No financial data available (may be a new company or sole proprietorship)

Distribution of Activity in Tromsø:

• Tromsø (City Center): 2 companies, 68 employees, revenue NOK 32.2 million, operating result NOK 952,000
• Other Areas: No detailed data on distribution of activity in other parts of the municipality

Concentration:

• There is a clear concentration of Asian restaurants in the city center of Tromsø, particularly in areas such as Samuel Arnesens gate and Bankgata.
• No data is available on the distribution of activity in other parts of the municipality, such as Tromsøya or Tromsø outside the city center.

Potential Development Areas:

• Tromsøya: It is possible to develop Asian restaurants in Tromsøya, which has a growing population and a growing tourism industry.
• Tromsø outside the city center: It is possible to develop Asian restaurants in Tromsø outside the city center, which has a growing population and a growing tourism industry.

Bankruptcies and Financial Stability:

• No Bankruptcies: None of the registered companies in the industry have gone bankrupt (data from 2025)
• Financial Stability: The registered companies have a strong financial position, with high equity and low debt.

Operating Results:

• Suvi As: Operating result of NOK 32,000 (margin of 0.2%)
• Tangs Restaurant As: Operating result of NOK 920,000 (margin of 5%)
• Oscars Restaurantdrift Özhan Akta: No operating result (may be a new company or sole proprietorship)

Growth:

• 2025-2026: Revenue increased by +36.7% (largest growth in the industry in recent years)
• 2020-2021: Revenue increased by +22.3% after a decline in 2020.

Operating Costs:

• Suvi As: Operating costs of NOK 8.2 million (margin of 0.2%)
• Tangs Restaurant As: Operating costs of NOK 8.8 million (margin of 5%)
• Oscars Restaurantdrift Özhan Akta: No operating costs (may be a new company or sole proprietorship)

Growth Potential:

• Growing Tourism Industry: Tromsø has a growing tourism industry, which can provide opportunities for Asian restaurants in the municipality.
• Growing Population: Tromsø has a growing population, which can provide opportunities for Asian restaurants in the municipality.
• Growing Equity: The registered companies have a strong financial position, which can provide opportunities for development.

Outside Factors:

• Competitiveness: Asian restaurants in Tromsø must be competitive to survive in a competitive market economy.
• Operating Costs: Operating costs are significant relative to revenue, which can be a challenge for Asian restaurants in Tromsø.
• Equity: Equity is high, but it may be a challenge to maintain this level in the future.

Recommendations:

• Focus on Quality: Asian restaurants in Tromsø should focus on quality to be competitive.
• Efficient Operations: Asian restaurants in Tromsø should focus on efficient operations to reduce operating costs.
• Strengthening Equity: Asian restaurants in Tromsø should strengthen equity to maintain financial stability.

Larger Industry:

• Number of Companies: 155 companies in the restaurant and café industry in Tromsø (larger than the Asian restaurant industry)
• Revenue: NOK 878.2 million in 2025 (larger than the Asian restaurant industry)
• Employment Trends: 2,129 employees in 2026 (larger than the Asian restaurant industry)

Competitiveness:

• EBITDA: NOK 11.8 million for Select Service Partner As Avd Tromsø Lufthavn Langnes (higher than the Asian restaurant industry)
• Revenue: NOK 133.6 million for Select Service Partner As Avd Tromsø Lufthavn Langnes (higher than the Asian restaurant industry)
• Employment Trends: 148 employees for Select Service Partner As Avd Tromsø Lufthavn Langnes (higher than the Asian restaurant industry)

Recommendations:

• Focus on Quality: The restaurant and café industry in Tromsø should focus on quality to be competitive.
• Efficient Operations: The restaurant and café industry in Tromsø should focus on efficient operations to reduce operating costs.
• Strengthening Equity: The restaurant and café industry in Tromsø should strengthen equity to maintain financial stability.

The Asian restaurant industry in Tromsø has shown strong growth in recent years, with revenue of NOK 31.4 million in 2025 and an increase of +36.7% from 2025 to 2026. The industry has a low EBITDA margin of 3%, indicating that operating costs are significant relative to revenue. This is an important consideration for entrepreneurs evaluating entry into the sector. At the same time, the industry has a strong financial position, with high equity and low debt. This can provide opportunities for development in the future. Entrepreneurs should focus on quality and efficient operations to be competitive in a competitive market economy.