Fast Food Chain Industry in Notodden: Current Status and Outlook

The fast food chain industry in Notodden is a small but dynamic sector with two registered companies. The industry has experienced both growth and decline in recent years, with a total sales volume of NOK 15.3 million in 2025. Employment figures have been more unstable, peaking at 47 employees in 2025 before declining to 39 in 2026. One of the two companies (McDonald's Tuven) is registered as bankrupt, affecting the sector's structure and stability.

Economic Trends

• Sales: The sector reached a peak in 2022 with NOK 36.8 million in sales, but fell to NOK 15.3 million in 2025. The most significant increase was recorded between 2021 and 2022 (+57.7 %).
• Employees: Employment figures have been more unstable, with an increase from 30 to 47 employees between 2023 and 2024 (+46.7 %), followed by a decline in 2025.
• EBITDA margin: The one operating company (BK Notodden AS) had an EBITDA margin of 8 % in 2025, indicating relatively good cost efficiency.

Registered Companies

• McDonald's Tuven (Tuvenbøygen 2, Notodden):
• Organizational form: AS
• Employees: 27 (2021), but no data for 2025
• Bankruptcy status: Registered as bankrupt
• BK Notodden AS (Nesøya 2, Notodden):
• Organizational form: AS
• Employees: 4 (2019), 30 (2023)
• Sales: NOK 15.6 million (2025)
• EBITDA: NOK 1.3 million (2025)

Organizational Form

• AS is the only organizational form registered in the sector, with two companies and 31 employees in total.

Geographic Distribution

• Notodden: The only city with activity in the sector.
• Number of companies: 2 (McDonald's Tuven and BK Notodden AS)
• Number of employees: 31 total (2025)
• Sales: NOK 15.6 million (2025)
• Bankruptcy: McDonald's Tuven is registered as bankrupt, affecting the geographic distribution of activity.

Dynamics and Risk

• Bankruptcy: McDonald's Tuven is registered as bankrupt, highlighting the sector's vulnerability to economic downturns.
• Sales fluctuations: Sales experienced a sharp decline from 2022 to 2023 (-58.4 %), but stabilized somewhat in 2024 and 2025.
• Employee development: Greatest variation in the number of employees (from 30 to 47 and down to 39 between 2025-2026).
• EBITDA: BK Notodden AS had an EBITDA of NOK 1.3 million in 2025, but data is missing for McDonald's Tuven after 2021.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

The sector shows both opportunities and challenges for new players in Notodden:

• Market size: Although the sector is small, there is a clear need for fast food in the municipality, as shown in the broader quick-service food sector.
• Bankruptcy risk: The bankruptcy of McDonald's Tuven shows that the sector can be vulnerable to economic downturns, but BK Notodden AS shows that it is possible to maintain operations.
• Stable market: With a stable population and economic activity in Notodden, it may be possible to establish oneself, especially if focusing on cost efficiency and quality.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs should consider thoroughly analyzing competitors and local conditions before investing.

Broader Quick-Service Food Sector

• Number of companies: 11 companies in the quick-service food sector in Notodden (2025), compared to 2 in the fast food chain sector.
• Sales: The quick-service food sector had NOK 15.3 million in sales in 2025, while the fast food chain had NOK 15.3 million (same figure, but fewer companies).
• Employees: The quick-service food sector had 80 employees in 2026, compared to 39 in the fast food chain sector.
• Peer companies: Examples of companies in the quick-service food sector that are not fast food chains:
• Aasmundsens Bakeri Telemarksbakern Efft AS (bakery, NOK 7.0 million in sales, 14 employees)
• Topp Kebab AS (kebab shop, NOK 1.2 million in sales, 10 employees)
• Gatebar AS (street kitchen, NOK 2.1 million in sales, 7 employees)

Conclusion

The quick-service food sector is more diversified and stable than the fast food chain sector in Notodden. Entrepreneurs should consider analyzing both the fast food chain and broader quick-service food sector to find potential market opportunities.

The fast food chain industry in Notodden shows both opportunities and challenges. With two companies and a total sales volume of NOK 15.3 million in 2025, the sector is small but not without potential. One bankruptcy and fluctuations in employee numbers and sales show that the sector can be vulnerable, but BK Notodden AS shows that it is possible to maintain operations. Entrepreneurs should consider thoroughly analyzing local conditions and consulting SmartGrunder to find optimal addresses and strategies for establishing themselves in Notodden.