Industry · municipality
Fast Food Chain in Trondheim: An Analysis of the Industry, Companies, and Outlook
From Economic Trends to Competitiveness and Future Opportunities
Executive Summary
Fast food chains are an important part of Trondheim's economy, with 16 registered companies and over 500 employees in 2026. The industry has shown strong growth since 2022, with an annual increase of 7.0% in employees and 514.0% in sales from 2024–2025. McDonald's and Burger King dominate the market, while small local players such as Herre Fast Food As have shown extraordinary growth (294% in sales in 2024). The industry has a high average gross profit margin of 310%, but there are variations between locations and company types.
Economic Overview
Economic Trends
- Sales: The industry's sales experienced a sharp decline of 79.0% from 2016 to 2017, but recovered with a 514.0% increase from 2024–2025. The highest sales in 2025 were NOK 46.8M, primarily from McDonald's Solsiden (NOK 108.4M in 2025).
- Employees: The number of employees increased from 296 in 2016 to 548 in 2026, with strong growth of 30.2% from 2021 to 2022. Average salary per employee was NOK 31.2M in 2025.
- EBITDA: Average EBITDA margin was 10% in 2025, with the highest value for McDonald's Solsiden (NOK 11.6M) and the lowest for Herre Fast Food As (NOK 209.0K).
Companies in the Industry
Key Companies
- McDonald's: Has four locations in Trondheim, including McDonald's Solsiden (NOK 108.4M in sales, 57 employees) and McDonald's Klett (NOK 4.2M in sales, 57 employees).
- Burger King: Has five locations, including Burger King Lade Thomas Hammeren (0 employees, 0 sales) and Burger King Avd 5004 O Tryggvasson (35 employees, 0 sales).
- Other Players: Herre Fast Food As (NOK 2.2M in sales, 5 employees) and Steffen Elnan (0 employees, 0 sales) are examples of smaller companies.
- Company Types: 6 companies are AS (317 employees, NOK 116.0M in sales), while 6 are ENK (236 employees, 0 sales).
Business Geography
Geographic Distribution
- Trondheim: 7 companies, 332 employees, NOK 109.5M in operating income.
- Tiller: 3 companies, 159 employees, but 0 sales and operating income.
- Leinstrand: 1 company (McDonald's Klett), 57 employees, NOK 4.2M in sales.
- Sjetnemarka: 1 company (Herre Fast Food As), 5 employees, NOK 2.2M in sales with 294% growth in 2024.
- Characteristics: Trondheim has the highest sales and employees, while Tiller has no activity in 2025.
Business Dynamics
Dynamics and Risk
- Bankruptcies: 14 companies are not bankrupt, but two companies (Burgas Singh As and Sentra Pizza) have negative operating results (NOK -11.0K and NOK -6.0K).
- Stability: Most companies have stable operations, but small companies such as Herre Fast Food As show extremely high growth (294% in sales in 2024).
- Payments: McDonald's Solsiden has the highest debt (NOK 52.9M) and equity (NOK 8.9M), while Herre Fast Food As has the lowest debt (NOK 617.0K).
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
- Growth Potential: The industry has shown extreme growth in 2024–2025 (514.0% in sales), especially for companies in Sjetnemarka and Trondheim.
- Competitiveness: McDonald's and Burger King dominate, but small companies such as Herre Fast Food As show that it is possible to achieve high growth.
- External Factors: Trondheim has a high population density and tourist flow, which can support new business development.
- Risk: Competitiveness and high debt (such as McDonald's Solsiden) can be challenges for new players.
Outlook for the Quick Service Sector
Comparison with the Quick Service Sector
- Larger Sector: Quick service has 86 companies in Trondheim, compared to 16 in fast food chains. Sales in quick service grew by 11.7% in 2024–2025 (NOK 245.7M), while fast food chains had 514.0% growth.
- Peer Companies: Examples include Golden Kebab As (NOK 11.3M in sales, NOK 2.0M EBITDA) and Rosenborg Bakeri As (NOK 22.6M in sales, NOK 1.8M EBITDA).
- Diversity: Quick service includes bakeries, kebab houses, and food trucks, while fast food chains are more specialized.
- Competitiveness: Quick service has more stable growth, while fast food chains have extreme variations (such as Herre Fast Food As).
Other companies in hurtigmat (not in fast food chain)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Kebab As | kebab house | Carl Johans gate 4, 7010 Trondheim | NOK 11.3M | 5 | NOK 2.0M |
| Pallekarmen As | street food | Nytrøringen 4, 7089 Heimdal | NOK 8.1M | 4 | NOK 1.9M |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Avd Utsalg Rosenborg | bakery | Rosenborg gate 10, 7043 Trondheim | NOK 22.6M | 31 | NOK 1.8M |
| Istanbul Express As | street food | Olav Tryggvasons gate 5, 7011 Trondheim | NOK 11.4M | 11 | NOK 1.6M |
| Funky Kioskdrift As Avd City Syd | frozen yogurt cafe | Østre Rosten 28, 7075 Tiller | NOK 4.1M | 11 | NOK 830.3K |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Avd Bakeri Rosenborg | bakery | Rosenborg gate 10, 7043 Trondheim | NOK 9.8M | 15 | NOK 770.7K |
| Funky Kioskdrift As Avd City Lade Senter | frozen yogurt cafe | Haakon VII's gate 3B, 7041 Trondheim | NOK 3.7M | 14 | NOK 761.1K |
| Sesam As | street food | Elgeseter gate 1, 7030 Trondheim | NOK 12.9M | 9 | NOK 658.0K |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Avd City Syd | bakery | Østre Rosten 28, 7075 Tiller | NOK 8.1M | 8 | NOK 635.6K |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Avd Valentinlyst | bakery | Valentinlyst Senter,|Anders Estenstads veg 2, 7046 Trondheim | NOK 7.6M | 10 | NOK 595.9K |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Avd City Lade | bakery | Haakon VII's gate 9, 7041 Trondheim | NOK 6.3M | 9 | NOK 492.6K |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Avd Byåsen | bakery | Fjellseterveien 1, 7020 Trondheim | NOK 5.9M | 10 | NOK 460.8K |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Avd Ranheim | bakery | Ranheimsfjæra 47, 7055 | NOK 5.5M | 5 | NOK 429.0K |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Avd Solsiden | bakery | Beddingen 10, 7042 Trondheim | NOK 5.4M | 9 | NOK 421.1K |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Avd Byhaven | bakery | Olav Tryggvasons gate 28, 7011 Trondheim | NOK 5.2M | 10 | NOK 405.2K |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Juniorbakeren Avd 34 Torget | bakery | Prinsens gate 15, 7013 Trondheim | NOK 4.9M | 7 | NOK 381.4K |
| Kobbe As | bakery | Kongens gate 21, 7012 Trondheim | NOK 1.1M | 4 | NOK 328.0K |
| Yamur Bakeri As | bakery | Søbstadvegen 2, 7088 Heimdal | NOK 2.9M | 3 | NOK 319.0K |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Avd Lillebakern | bakery | Kongens gate 9, 7013 Trondheim | NOK 4.1M | 5 | NOK 317.8K |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Avd Nardo | bakery | Hans Baucks veg 1, 7033 Trondheim | NOK 4.1M | 5 | NOK 317.8K |
| Crispy Fried Chicken As | street food | Kjøpmannsgata 9, 7013 Trondheim | NOK 484.0K | 0 | NOK 312.0K |
| Crispy Fried Chicken As | street food | Kjøpmannsgata 9, 7013 Trondheim | NOK 484.0K | 0 | NOK 312.0K |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Avd Ladetorget | bakery | Østmarkveien 2, 7040 Trondheim | NOK 3.9M | 5 | NOK 309.9K |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Avd Nidarvold | bakery | Baard Iversens veg 2A, 7037 Trondheim | NOK 3.8M | 6 | NOK 301.9K |
| Rosenborg Bakeri As Avd Sirkus Shopping | bakery | Falkenborgvegen 5, 7044 Trondheim | NOK 3.6M | 7 | NOK 286.0K |
| Donut House Trondheim As | street food | Saupstadbergan 17D, 7078 | NOK 263.0K | 2 | NOK 145.0K |
| Byåsen Bakeri Og Konditori As Avd Butikk Østre Rosten Trondheim | bakery | Østre Rosten 24, 7075 Tiller | NOK 7.1M | 7 | NOK 133.2K |
| Byåsen Bakeri Og Konditori As Avd Heimdal | bakery | Ringvålvegen 7, 7080 Heimdal | NOK 6.6M | 7 | NOK 122.6K |
| Dm Singh As | street food | Olav Trondsons veg 17, 7051 Trondheim | NOK 890.0K | 10 | NOK 88.0K |
| Ilsvika Restaurant As | street food | Mellomila 64, 7018 Trondheim | NOK 3.4M | 6 | NOK 83.0K |
| Stjernegrillen As | street food | Heimdalsvegen 8, 7080 | NOK 13.0M | 14 | NOK 71.0K |
| Byåsen Bakeri Og Konditori As Avd Stavset | bakery | Enromvegen 2, 7026 Trondheim | NOK 1.5M | 5 | NOK 27.3K |
| Askara As | street food | Dvergstien 4, 7028 Trondheim | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Askara As Konkursbo | street food | Dvergstien 4, 7028 Trondheim | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Bente Lereggen | street food | v/Big Bite Avd 227 Tillertorget|Ivar Lykkes veg 3, 7075 | NOK 0 | 12 | NOK 0 |
| Big Bite Avd 222 Trondheim S | street food | Fosenkaia|Sjøgangen 6, 7010 Trondheim | NOK 0 | 3 | NOK 0 |
| Big Bite Avd 223 Solsiden | street food | Beddingen 10, 7042 Trondheim | NOK 0 | 7 | NOK 0 |
| Big Bite Avd 225 Nordre | street food | Big Bite avd 225|Nordre gate 11, 7011 Trondheim | NOK 0 | 4 | NOK 0 |
| Big Bite Trondheim Torg Avd 226 | street food | Kongens gate 11, 7013 Trondheim | NOK 0 | 9 | NOK 0 |
| Byåsen Bakeri Og Konditori As Avd Munkvoll | bakery | Selsbakkvegen 28, 7027 Trondheim | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
Conclusion
Fast food chains in Trondheim have both opportunities and challenges. With strong growth in 2025 and a dominant role from McDonald's and Burger King, new players can find opportunities in local markets such as Sjetnemarka. At the same time, it is important to be aware of competitiveness and financial risks. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find optimal locations and strategies to compete in this dynamic industry.