Industry · municipality
The Café Industry in Kragerø: Current Status and Future Prospects
A Detailed Analysis of Companies, Economics, and Development Trends
Executive Summary
The café industry in Kragerø has shown stable development in recent years, with a combination of established companies and new initiatives. There are a total of 5 companies registered in the municipality, with total wage costs exceeding 10 million NOK and an average operating result of 1 percent. Key characteristics of the industry include strong sales growth (from 5.1 million NOK in 2016 to 32.4 million NOK in 2025) and variation in organizational forms, with a focus on AS companies. Future prospects indicate growth potential, particularly in connection with tourism and local culture.
Economic Overview
Economic Trends
| Year | Sales (NOK) | Number of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5.1M | 23 |
| 2025 | 32.4M | 64 |
The café industry in Kragerø has experienced a significant increase in sales, with an annual growth rate of 9.7 percent from 2024 to 2025. The number of employees has been more volatile, with a peak of 104 employees in 2022 and a decline to 64 employees in 2025. The operating result has varied between -7 percent and 6 percent, with an average EBITDA margin of 2 percent. These characteristics show a mix of stability and challenges related to operating costs and income dynamics.
Companies in the Industry
Registered Companies
The following companies are registered in the café industry in Kragerø:
- As El Paso (P.A.Heuchs gate 35, Kragerø) – AS company with 43 employees and an operating result of 805,000 NOK.
- Skåtøy Café AS (Skåtøy) – AS company with 29 employees, but no sales or income reported.
- Buchholm Café AS (P.A.Heuchs gate 33, Kragerø) – AS company with 23 employees and a negative EBITDA of -428,000 NOK.
- Bessesen AS (Tårnbryggeveien 2, Jomfruland) – AS company with 22 employees and a positive EBITDA of 195,000 NOK.
| 5. Tullas Spisestue Nordhagen (Skrubben | Edvard Munchs vei 2, Kragerø) – ENK company with 4 employees and no reported income. |
|---|
Organizational Forms
- AS companies: 4 companies, 117 employees, operating result of 332,000 NOK.
- ENK companies: 1 company, 4 employees, no reported income.
Business Geography
Geographic Distribution
Café activity in Kragerø is distributed as follows:
| Location | Number of Companies | Number of Employees | Sales (NOK) | Operating Result (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kragerø | 3 | 70 | 20.8M | 272,000 |
| Skåtøy | 1 | 29 | 0 | 0 |
| Jomfruland | 1 | 22 | 5.6M | 60,000 |
Kragerø dominates with 3 companies and 70 employees, while Jomfruland and Skåtøy have less activity. Skåtøy Café AS has no reported income, which may indicate a temporary closure or a new start.
Business Dynamics
The café industry in Kragerø has been relatively stable with no bankrupt companies reported. However, there have been variations in operating results and number of employees. For example, Buchholm Café AS had a negative EBITDA of -428,000 NOK in 2023, while Bessesen AS had a positive EBITDA of 195,000 NOK in the same year. The new company registration of Tullas Spisestue Nordhagen in 2023 shows growth in the number of companies, even though no income has been reported so far.
Outlook
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
The café industry in Kragerø shows potential for growth, especially with an annual sales growth of 9.7 percent from 2024 to 2025. However, it is important to be aware of operating costs and variations in operating results. With 5 companies and an average EBITDA margin of 2 percent, a new café can be competitive if operating costs are managed effectively. Tourism and local culture in Kragerø can also provide an advantage for new companies.
Outlook for Broader Sector
Comparison with Broader Sector
The broader restaurant/café sector in Kragerø has 39 companies, compared to 5 in the café industry. Sales in the broader sector have grown by 3.0 percent from 2024 to 2025, while the café industry has grown by 9.7 percent. EBITDA in the broader sector has been more variable, with some companies having negative EBITDA. Examples of companies in the broader sector include Tasty Kragerø AS (EBITDA 491,000 NOK) and Nye Admiralen AS (EBITDA 489,000 NOK). This shows that the café industry has a more stable income dynamic compared to the rest of the sector.
Other companies in restaurant / kafé (not in cafe)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campino Sannidal As | restaurant | Kjølebrøndsveien 1, 3766 Sannidal | NOK 3.5M | 0 | NOK 761.0K |
| Tasty Kragerø As | restaurant | P. A. Heuchs Gate 21, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 4.7M | 18 | NOK 491.0K |
| Nye Admiralen As | sushi restaurant | Ytre Strandvei 24, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 2.4M | 3 | NOK 489.0K |
| Stavelin Bakeriutsalg Kragerø As | restaurant | Kjølebrøndsveien 1, 3766 Sannidal | NOK 7.3M | 13 | NOK 226.0K |
| Adele Pizzeria Italiana Hihn | restaurant | Ytre strandvei 5, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Adele Restaurant Kragerø As | restaurant | Ytre Strandvei 5, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Adele Restaurant Kragerø As | restaurant | Ytre Strandvei 5, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Campino Sannidal As Konkursbo | restaurant | Kjølebrøndsveien 1, 3766 Sannidal | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Centralen Kragerø As | restaurant | Rådhusgata 2B, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 4 | NOK 0 |
| Cocktail Brasseri Og Bar As | restaurant | P.A.Heuchs gate 17, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 19 | NOK 0 |
| Dobbel Margherita As | restaurant | Storgata 1, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Ge Min | restaurant | Storgata 4, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Jimmys Kragerø | restaurant | Ytre Strandvei 4, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Jorgen Klasson | restaurant | Gamle Kragerøvei 27D, 3770 | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Kragerø Sushi Loan Nguyen | sushi restaurant | Storgata 4, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 13 | NOK 0 |
| La Escalera As | restaurant | Gamle Kragerøvei 53, 3770 | NOK 0 | 24 | NOK 0 |
| Lamsam As | restaurant | c/o Lampai Amundsen|Kammerfossveien 19A, 3772 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Melt Gourmet As | restaurant | Bergmesterveien 4B, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Miljøgården As | restaurant | Gamle Sørlandske 112, 3766 Sannidal | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Ni Brødre Tahir Islam | restaurant | Helleveien 177, 3790 | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Nordraak Kragerø As | restaurant | Nordraaks gate 4, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 23 | NOK 0 |
| Nye Campino As | restaurant | Dalaneveien 11A, 3772 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 10 | NOK 0 |
| Per Ahlsen | restaurant | c/o El Paso AS|P.A Heuchs gate 34, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Potetfabrikken As | restaurant | Ytre Strandvei 7, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Scantec Isc As | restaurant | Storgata 4, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 5 | NOK 0 |
| Stavelin Kragerø Sentrum As | restaurant | Th.Kittelsens vei 14, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 14 | NOK 0 |
| Thai Street Food Take Away As | asian restaurant | Fredrik Hougens vei 5, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Kragerø Sushi As | sushi restaurant | P.A.Heuchs gate 23C, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -4.0K |
| Bestpizza As | restaurant | Dalaneveien 30, 3772 Kragerø | NOK 5.3M | 18 | NOK -75.0K |
| November As | restaurant | Kirkegata 4, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 3.7M | 13 | NOK -165.0K |
| Stopp En Halv As | restaurant | P.A.Heuchs gate 14, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 3.3M | 18 | NOK -217.0K |
| Onkel Oskar As | restaurant | P.A.Heuchs gate 7A, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 2.1M | 16 | NOK -261.0K |
| Hos Gro As | restaurant | P.A.Heuchs gate 16, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 3.3M | 8 | NOK -358.0K |
| Tinas Wok As | restaurant | Kirkegata 20, 3770 Kragerø | NOK 2.2M | 5 | NOK -433.0K |
Conclusion
The café industry in Kragerø shows positive development with growth in sales and established companies. With an average EBITDA margin of 2 percent and an annual sales growth of 9.7 percent, the industry can be attractive for new entrepreneurs. However, it is important to be aware of operating costs and variations in operating results. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations and strategies to ensure success in this industry.