The Café Industry in Horten: Current Status and Future Perspectives

The café industry in Horten has a complex history with both growth and decline in employee numbers and sales revenue over time. In 2026, four companies are registered in the industry, with a total of 7 employees. This is a clear decline in employee numbers compared to 2022, but an increase in 2025. Sales revenue has been more variable, with a peak in 2019 and a decline since. The industry is relatively small compared to the broader 'restaurant/café' category, which has 51 companies in the municipality. This indicates that the café industry has a special role in Horten, but also that there is greater competition and variation in the immediate environment.

Economic Trends

Sales Development (2016–2021):

• 2016: NOK 3.9 million
• 2017: NOK 3.3 million (-15.7 %)
• 2018: NOK 1.6 million (-51.7 %)
• 2019: NOK 1.7 million (+7.2 %)
• 2020: NOK 1.6 million (-7.4 %)
• 2021: NOK 1.8 million (+11.7 %)

Employee Development (2016–2026):

• 2016: 18 employees
• 2017: 12 employees (-33.3 %)
• 2018: 7 employees (-41.7 %)
• 2019: 5 employees (-28.6 %)
• 2020: 9 employees (+80.0 %)
• 2021: 11 employees (+22.2 %)
• 2022: 14 employees (+27.3 %)
• 2023: 5 employees (-64.3 %)
• 2024: 3 employees (-40.0 %)
• 2025: 4 employees (+33.3 %)
• 2026: 5 employees (+25.0 %)

Sales revenue has been more stable in recent years compared to earlier, but with a clear decline from 2018 to 2020. Employee development has been more volatile, with a significant decline in 2023 and an increase in 2025.

Registered Companies in the Industry

The following companies are registered in the café industry in Horten:

1. Siste Tee As (Eskebekkveien 68) – AS, established 2024, 7 employees
2. Flamingo Daoud (Langgata 55A) – ENK, established 2026, 0 employees
3. Nanakorn Restaurant & Takeaway Sopa Na Nakorn (Storgata 6) – ENK, established 2019, 0 employees
4. Sandberg Ernæring (Varnesveien 29) – ENK, established 2021, 0 employees

Organizational Forms

• AS (Public Limited Company): 1 company, 7 employees
• ENK (Sole Proprietorship): 3 companies, 0 employees

There is a clear dominance of ENK organizations in the industry, which may indicate that many companies are small and single-person enterprises. The AS organization has a higher number of employees, which may indicate larger operations or specialization.

Geographic Distribution

All four companies in the café industry in Horten are registered in Horten. There is no further subdivision by other city districts or areas within the municipality. One company and 7 employees are registered in Horten. This indicates that the café industry is centrally located in the municipality's main town, but there is no data on distribution to other parts of the municipality.

Operational Dynamics and Bankruptcy Statistics

None of the four companies in the café industry in Horten are registered as bankruptcy receivers. This suggests that the industry has been relatively stable in terms of bankruptcy in recent years. However, there are several companies with 0 employees, which may indicate that some companies have been in operational suspension or have been closed. This may be an indication of uncertainty in the industry or superficial registration of companies that do not actually operate.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

The café industry in Horten has a complex history with both growth and decline in employee numbers and sales revenue. This indicates that the industry can be uncertain and challenging for new entrepreneurs. However, it is possible to find opportunities in the broader 'restaurant/café' category, which has a more stable development. Entrepreneurs should consider analyzing competitors in the broader category and look for opportunities for differentiation. It is also important to be aware of operational risks, especially in an industry with many companies with 0 employees.

Outlook for the Broader 'Restaurant/Café' Category

The broader 'restaurant/café' category has a more stable development compared to the café industry. In 2025, this category had 230 employees and NOK 60.5 million in sales revenue. This is a clear improvement compared to the café industry, which had 5 employees and NOK 1.8 million in sales revenue in 2021. This indicates that the broader category has a more stable and robust structure. Entrepreneurs should consider examining competitors in this category, which includes companies such as Pizzan Horten As (NOK 18.5 million in sales revenue) and Studentsamskipnaden I Sørøst Norge Mat Og Drikke Vestfold (NOK 11.7 million in sales revenue). These companies have higher sales revenue and more employees, which may indicate larger operations and more stable operations.

The café industry in Horten has a complex history with both growth and decline in employee numbers and sales revenue. This indicates that the industry can be uncertain and challenging for new entrepreneurs. However, it is possible to find opportunities in the broader 'restaurant/café' category, which has a more stable development. Entrepreneurs should consider analyzing competitors in the broader category and look for opportunities for differentiation. It is also important to be aware of operational risks, especially in an industry with many companies with 0 employees. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Horten for the café industry, based on natural conditions and potential opportunities.