The Bar Industry in Sandnes: Economy, Companies, and Outlook

The bar industry in Sandnes represents an important part of the local economy, with 16 registered companies and over 200 employees. The industry has shown variation in its development in recent years, with a sales increase of 10.1% from 2023 to 2024, but a slight decline of 1.3% from 2024 to 2025. Employee numbers have been more stable, with an increase of 4.5% from 2025 to 2026. The most dominant activity is located in Sandnes, while Hommersåk has a very limited presence with only one company.

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The industry has experienced fluctuating development in recent years. Sales figures increased by 12.3% from 2016 to 2017, but fell by 24.2% from 2019 to 2020 due to the pandemic. After this, there has been a gradual increase, with a rise of 31.6% from 2021 to 2022. In 2024, the industry had a sales surplus of NOK 40.9 million, indicating a gradual recovery.

Employee numbers have shown a more stable development, increasing from 105 in 2016 to 233 in 2026. The largest increase was recorded from 2021 to 2022, with +27.0%.

Table: Sales and employee development (NOK million and number of employees)

In Sandnes, there are 16 companies registered in the bar industry, all with the legal form AS. The most well-known companies include:

• Pavillion As (Industrigata 2, Sandnes): 32 employees, operates with an EBITDA margin of 22%
• Evino Masan As (Olav Kyrres gate 2, Sandnes): 17 employees, operates with an EBITDA margin of 2%
• Melkebaren As (Industrigata 1, Sandnes): 9 employees, operates with an EBITDA margin of 10%

There are also several companies established in recent years, such as My Place Kvadrat As (2024) and Incipit As (2024), although these have not yet reported activity.

Table: Organizational statistics

Most companies in the bar industry are located in Sandnes, with 15 companies and 217 employees. The only significant activity outside Sandnes is Mlp As in Hommersåk, which has 18 employees, but no reported sales or operating profit.

Table: Business activity per district

The industry has been relatively stable in terms of bankruptcy. None of the registered companies have been in bankruptcy, indicating a good debt structure and operating profit. However, some companies, such as Shaker Lounge & Terrace and Pontus As, show negative EBITDA margins, which may indicate economic challenges.

Table: Bankruptcy statistics

For entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the bar industry in Sandnes, the data shows a stable, but fluctuating market. Sales increased by 10.1% from 2023 to 2024, but fell slightly in 2025. There is, however, a positive trend in employee numbers, with an increase of 4.5% from 2025 to 2026. This indicates a gradual recovery after the pandemic.

There are also opportunities to develop in a competitive market, especially with a focus on innovation and quality. However, entrepreneurs should be aware of the negative EBITDA margins at some companies, which may be a signal of economic challenges in the industry.

The broader bar / club industry in Sandnes has a slightly higher number of companies (24) compared to the bar industry (22). Sales figures have been slightly higher, with an increase of 16.2% from 2016 to 2017, while the bar industry had an increase of 12.3%. Employee numbers have also been slightly higher, with an increase of 66.0% from 2016 to 2017 in the broader industry, compared to 62.9% in the bar industry.

Table: Peer companies in the broader industry

The bar industry in Sandnes has shown a gradual recovery after the pandemic, with increasing sales and employee numbers. There are opportunities for entrepreneurs wishing to establish themselves in a competitive market, but there are also challenges to consider, such as the negative EBITDA margins at some companies. With a stable economy and a good geographic location in Sandnes, the industry can be an attractive choice for new businesses.