The Bar Industry in Kragerø: Current Status and Outlook

The bar industry in Kragerø has shown both stability and variation over the past few years. There are four registered companies in the sector, with two of them operating with significant activity and employees. Sales have increased by 13.3% from 2024 to 2025, and there has been a recorded increase in the number of employees from 24 to 27 during the same period. The EBITDA margin stands at 7%, indicating good operational efficiency for the active companies. Outlooks appear positive, especially regarding increasing sales and stabilization of the number of employees.

Sales and Employees:

• Sales: From NOK 9.7 million in 2016 to NOK 15.7 million in 2025, with an annual increase of 13.3% from 2024 to 2025.
• Employees: The number of employees has varied between 20 and 45 over the years, with an increase from 24 to 27 employees from 2024 to 2025.

Operational Results:

• The EBITDA margin is at 7%, and operational efficiency appears stable for the active companies.
• Total operational income for the most active companies is NOK 16.4 million, with a wage cost of NOK 5.7 million.

Growth and Margins:

• Sales growth has been most significant from 2021 to 2022 (+66.7%), while the decline in 2019 and 2020 was likely due to the pandemic's impact.
• The sector has a high gross margin of 65%, indicating efficient production and service provision.

The following companies are registered in the bar sector in Kragerø:

1. Dose As (P.A.Heuchs gate 13A, Kragerø)

• Organizational form: AS
• Number of employees: 39
• Sales: NOK 16.1 million
• EBITDA: NOK 1.3 million
• Founded: 2006-08-07

1. Muchísimo Gusto As (Rådhusgata 3, Kragerø)

• Organizational form: AS
• Number of employees: 6
• Sales: NOK 0
• Founded: 2024-04-14

1. Jan Einar Skaug Holding As (Østre Gumøy 23, Kragerø Skjærgård)

• Organizational form: AS
• Number of employees: 0
• Sales: NOK 0
• Founded: 2021-11-05

1. Krigensborg Holding As (P.A.Heuchs gate 14, Kragerø)

• Organizational form: AS
• Number of employees: 0
• Sales: NOK 0
• Founded: 2020-06-15

Organizational Forms:

• All companies are registered as AS (Anonyme Selskaper), which is common for larger businesses in Norway.

Bar activity in Kragerø is primarily concentrated in the city center, with the following distribution:

• Kragerø: 2 companies, 45 employees, operational income of NOK 16.4 million, and sales of NOK 16.1 million.

Important Addresses:

• P.A.Heuchs gate 13A and Rådhusgata 3 are main locations for active companies.
• Østre Gumøy 23 and P.A.Heuchs gate 14 are locations for companies without current operational activity.

Conclusion: Business activity is concentrated in the city center, indicating good infrastructure and customer access in these areas.

Bankruptcy Safety:

• None of the registered companies in the bar sector in Kragerø are registered as bankrupt, indicating a stable sector.

Operational Variations:

• Muchísimo Gusto As and Jan Einar Skaug Holding As have no operational activity, which may indicate they are in the startup phase or have established the company without current operations.
• Dose As is the most operationally active business, with high sales and employees.

Trend Analysis:

• The number of employees has varied significantly over the years but has stabilized from 2024 to 2025.
• Sales have shown clear growth after 2021, which may be due to increased tourism and local interest in bar businesses.

Growth and Stability:

• Sales have increased by 13.3% from 2024 to 2025, and the number of employees has increased from 24 to 27 during the same period. This indicates a positive development in the sector.
• The 7% EBITDA margin shows that operational efficiency is stable, even with variations in individual companies' activities.

Opportunities for Entrepreneurs:

• It is possible to start a new bar business in Kragerø, especially in the city center where infrastructure is already established.
• It is important to carefully consider the location, as business activity is concentrated in certain areas.
• SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and assess potential development opportunities in the municipality.

The bar industry in Kragerø shows a mix of stability and variation. With four registered companies, high sales growth, and stable operational efficiency, the sector looks positive for the future. It is particularly interesting to look at Dose As as a model for success in the sector. Entrepreneurs should consider opportunities in the city center, where infrastructure and customer base are already established. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses and assess potential development opportunities in the municipality.