The Bar Industry in Midt Telemark: Current Status and Outlook

The bar industry in Midt Telemark shows a mix of stability and variation over the past few years. There are three companies registered in the municipality, one of which (Stiftelsen Studentkroa) has been active since 1998 and operates with 18 employees. Sales have grown from NOK 1.2 million in 2020 to a peak of NOK 4.5 million in 2023, before declining to NOK 3.9 million in 2024 and stabilizing at NOK 4.3 million in 2025. The employment development shows a significant increase from 8 employees in 2020 to 43 employees in 2024, followed by a decline to 15 employees in 2026. This indicates an industry with both growth periods and challenges related to operational conditions.

Economic Trends

Sales Development:

• 2020: NOK 1.2M
• 2021: NOK 2.9M (+151.4%)
• 2022: NOK 3.9M (+34.0%)
• 2023: NOK 4.5M (+15.3%)
• 2024: NOK 3.9M (-14.3%)
• 2025: NOK 4.3M (+11.4%)

Employment Development:

• 2020: 8 employees
• 2021: 12 employees (+50.0%)
• 2022: 32 employees (+166.7%)
• 2023: 36 employees (+12.5%)
• 2024: 43 employees (+19.4%)
• 2025: 12 employees (-72.1%)
• 2026: 15 employees (+25.0%)

The most significant increase in sales and number of employees occurred between 2020 and 2023, followed by a sharp decline in 2025. The EBITDA margin for Stiftelsen Studentkroa is 5%, while the gross profit accounts for 47% of sales. This shows a relatively stable operational structure for the dominant player in the industry.

Registered Companies

1. Stiftelsen Studentkroa I Bø (Foundation, established 1998-10-28)

• 18 employees
• Sales: NOK 4.4M
• EBITDA: NOK 233.0K
• Total equity: NOK 1.2M
• No bankruptcy

1. Roxy Kaffebar Sa (SA, established 2021-03-14)

• 0 employees
• Sales: NOK 0
• EBITDA: NOK 0
• No bankruptcy

1. Roxy Kaffebar Sa (SA, established 2025-01-01)

• 0 employees
• Sales: NOK 0
• EBITDA: NOK 0
• No bankruptcy

The only company form with more than one company is SA, but both companies have 0 employees and 0 sales. Stiftelsen Studentkroa is the only active business with significant operational activity.

Geographic Distribution

All businesses in the bar industry in Midt Telemark are located in Bø I Telemark. Here operates:

• 1 company with 18 employees
• Operating income: NOK 4.4M
• Sales: NOK 4.4M
• Wages: NOK 813.0K
• Operating profit: NOK 123.0K
• Gross profit: NOK 2.1M
• Total equity: NOK 1.2M
• Total debt: NOK 352.0K

There are no activities registered in other parts of the municipality.

Bankruptcy Statistics:

• No bankruptcies reported for the bar industry in Midt Telemark.

Operational Challenges:

• Stiftelsen Studentkroa has been stable since 1998, but there is no data on bankruptcy risk for the other companies.
• The two Roxy Kaffebar companies have 0 employees and 0 sales, which suggests they may be in the start-up phase or non-operational.
• The sharp decline in the number of employees from 43 in 2024 to 12 in 2025 may be due to operational challenges or changes in operational strategy.

Conclusion: The industry shows a mix of stability (Stiftelsen Studentkroa) and uncertainty (Roxy Kaffebar), but no bankruptcies have been registered.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

The bar industry in Midt Telemark shows potential for growth, especially in Bø I Telemark where Stiftelsen Studentkroa has established a stable business. The key figures show that:

• Sales have increased by 11.4% from 2024 to 2025, indicating a gradual recovery after a decline.
• The drop in employment in 2025 may be a temporary challenge, but 2026 shows an increase of 25%.
• There is no reported bankruptcy risk, which provides a relatively safe foundation for new businesses.

Recommendation: Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in Bø I Telemark, where there is already a functioning bar business. However, it is important to take into account the operational challenges experienced in 2024. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses in the municipality where it is natural to establish a new bar business.

The bar industry in Midt Telemark is dominated by Stiftelsen Studentkroa, which has been a stable business since 1998. Although there have been variations in sales and number of employees over time, the data shows a gradual recovery after a decline in 2024. There are no bankruptcies registered, which indicates a relatively safe industry for new players. Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in Bø I Telemark, where there is already a functioning bar business. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses in the municipality where it is natural to establish a new bar business.