The Café Industry in Bamble: Companies, Statistics, and Outlooks

The café industry in Bamble is a small but dynamic sector with two registered companies. In recent years, the industry has shown both growth and decline in revenue, while the number of employees has increased significantly. This analysis provides an overview of the industry's economic development, company structure, geographic distribution, and future prospects for entrepreneurs.

Economic Trends

Revenue: The café industry in Bamble had revenue of NOK 1.6 million in 2025, representing a decline of 7.8% compared to 2024. The most significant increase was recorded in 2017, when revenue rose by 558% from 2016. This shows a large variation in the industry's economic development over time.

Employees: The number of employees in the café industry has shown a more stable development. From 3 employees in 2016, it has increased to 11 employees in 2025, with a significant increase of 60% between 2021 and 2022. This indicates growing interest in the sector, despite a decline in 2026.

Registered Companies

In Bamble, there are two companies in the café industry:

1. Langesund Landhandel As (Torget 16, Langesund)

• Organizational form: AS
• Number of employees: 7
• Revenue: NOK 1.6 million
• EBITDA: NOK 33,000
• EBITDA margin: 2%

1. Grillkafen Hege Maabø (Krabberødveien 6, Stathelle)

• Organizational form: ENK
• Number of employees: 0
• Revenue: NOK 1.4 million
• EBITDA: NOK 321,000
• EBITDA margin: 21%

Organizational form: There is one AS and one ENK company registered in the industry. AS companies are most common in the café industry, indicating that many companies choose to organize as limited liability companies.

The café industry in Bamble is primarily concentrated in Langesund and Stathelle:

• Langesund: 1 company, 7 employees, revenue of NOK 1.6 million.
• Stathelle: 1 company, 0 employees, revenue of NOK 1.4 million.

This shows that the café industry is spread across the municipality's main urban areas, but with a clear focus on Langesund as an important activity area.

The café industry in Bamble has shown stable operations over time, with no registered bankruptcies in recent years. Both companies are still in operation, although there is a significant difference in financial performance:

• Langesund Landhandel As has a low EBITDA margin (2%) and a negative operating result (NOK 29,000), indicating a very tight margin.
• Grillkafen Hege Maabø has a much better EBITDA margin (21%) and a positive operating result (NOK 288,000), showing a more profitable operation.

For entrepreneurs in the café industry in Bamble, there are both opportunities and challenges:

• Opportunities: Increasing number of employees and stable revenue over time indicate that there is room for growth in the sector. Particularly in Langesund, where there is an existing café, it may be possible to further develop.
• Challenges: The weak EBITDA margin for Langesund Landhandel As indicates that it may be challenging to achieve profitability in the sector. Entrepreneurs must therefore be attentive to cost control and efficient operations.

SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Bamble for café operations, based on nature and development trends in the municipality.

Comparison with Broader Sector

The café industry is part of the broader restaurant/café sector in Bamble, which has 25 companies. This sector has higher revenue (NOK 57.4 million in 2025) and more employees (226 in 2026) compared to the café industry.

Peer companies in the restaurant/café sector include:

• Kawaii Sushi As (NOK 5.6 million revenue, 10 employees)
• Sjøkroa As (NOK 2.5 million revenue, 12 employees)
• Telemark Svingen As (NOK 18.5 million revenue, 38 employees)

These companies show that it is possible to achieve higher revenue and more employees in the broader sector, which can provide inspiration for entrepreneurs in the café industry.

The café industry in Bamble has shown both strengths and weaknesses over time. With two companies and stable growth in the number of employees, it may be possible to further develop. Entrepreneurs should, however, be aware of the financial challenges, such as low EBITDA margin and variable revenue. At the same time, it may be possible to utilize the existing structures in the municipality to establish new cafés. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations and strategies to ensure profitability in the industry.