The Bar Industry in Namsos: Companies, Statistics, and Outlooks

Overview of the Industry

The bar industry in Namsos is a small but active sector with 7 registered companies in the municipality. In recent years, the number of employees has varied between 51 and 64, with a decline of 6.2% from 2025 to 2026. Sales have been more unstable, with a decline of 17.5% from 2024 to 2025. The industry includes established companies such as Bryggekompaniet As (founded 2002) and new players such as Namsos Bardrift As (founded 2026).

Economic Trends

Sales Development (2016–2025):

Employee Development (2016–2026):

The industry has been marked by variations in sales and number of employees. The highest sales achieved in 2019 (9.7M NOK) was followed by a sharp decline in 2020 (8.1M NOK) and 2021 (7.5M NOK).

Companies in the Industry

Registered Companies in Namsos (2026):

Organizational Form:

• 4 companies are AS (Anonymous Companies)
• 1 company is FLI (Leisure Association)

Notes:

• Hamstad Butikkdrift As Avd Krus Kaffebar has positive EBITDA (4%) and high income per employee (645.6K NOK).
• Namsos Bardrift As and Verftsgata Bardrift As have no sales or operating profit in 2026.

Geographic Distribution

Activity in the Municipality:

• Namsos: 4 companies, 70 employees, 6.5M NOK in sales
• Jøa: 1 company (Fembøringen Siglurd), 0 employees, 0 sales

Concentration:

• 75% of companies and 100% of employees are located in Namsos center (Verftsgata and Abel Meyers gate).
• Jøa has no activity in the bar industry in 2026.

Bankruptcy Statistics:

• No companies in the bar industry in Namsos are registered as bankrupt in 2026.
• 3 companies have negative EBITDA (Bryggekompaniet As, Namsos Bardrift As, Verftsgata Bardrift As).

Outlook for New Companies:

• Hamstad Butikkdrift As Avd Krus Kaffebar shows that it is possible to achieve positive EBITDA (4%) in the industry.
• New companies such as Namsos Bardrift As (2026) have not yet achieved operating profit.

Development Trend:

• Sales and number of employees have been unstable in recent years, with a decline of 17.5% in sales from 2024 to 2025.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

Trend Analysis:

• Sales have fallen by 17.5% from 2024 to 2025, but it is possible to achieve positive EBITDA (as with Hamstad Butikkdrift As Avd Krus Kaffebar).
• The number of employees has fallen by 6.2% from 2025 to 2026, but it is possible to maintain operations with fewer employees (as with Namsos Bardrift As).

Recommendations:

• Focus on innovation and differentiation (such as the café bar model from Hamstad Butikkdrift As).
• Increase efficiency to achieve positive EBITDA.
• Develop unique offerings to stand out from competitors.

SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Namsos for the bar industry, with a focus on nature and development trends.

Outlooks for the Broader Bar/Club Sector

Contrast Between Bar and Bar/Club Sector:

• Bar Sector (leaf industry): 7 companies, 60 employees, 6.3M NOK in sales (2025).
• Bar/Club Sector (parent industry): 8 companies, 64 employees, 6.3M NOK in sales (2025).

Peer Companies in the Bar/Club Sector:

Conclusion:

• The bar/club sector has a slightly higher number of employees and companies, but similar sales figures to the bar sector.
• Sopinn As (pub) has no sales or EBITDA in 2025, showing challenges in the sector.

The bar industry in Namsos is a small but active sector with both established and new companies. In recent years, there have been variations in sales and number of employees, but it is possible to achieve positive EBITDA (as with Hamstad Butikkdrift As Avd Krus Kaffebar). Entrepreneurs should focus on innovation and efficiency to stand out from competitors. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations in Namsos for the bar industry, with a focus on nature and development trends.