The Café Industry in Molde: An Analysis of Companies, Statistics, and Outlooks

The café industry in Molde is a small but dynamic sector with four registered companies in the municipality. In recent years, the industry has shown significant variations in both sales and number of employees, with a marked increase in 2023 followed by a decline in 2024. The companies operate mainly in the center of Molde, and the organizational forms are dominated by AS entities. The industry is part of the broader restaurant and café sector in the municipality, which has a total of 45 companies, showing that cafés constitute a relatively small part of this broad sector.

The café industry in Molde has shown significant variations in sales and number of employees over time. Sales figures have ranged from NOK 23.1 million in 2016 to NOK 16.8 million in 2023, before experiencing a sharp decline to NOK 3.0 million in 2024. The number of employees has also been unstable, increasing from 17 in 2016 to 47 in 2026, but with large fluctuations between years. The most significant increase in employees occurred in 2023 (+75%), while a sharp decline was recorded in 2024 (-33.3%).

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

Organizational forms are dominated by AS entities (3 companies) compared to ENK (1 company). There are no registered bankruptcies in the industry in the municipality.

All four companies in the café industry in Molde are registered in the central area of the municipality. There is no spread to other districts or municipalities. The only registered location for activity is Molde Center, with four companies and 60 employees in total.

The café industry in Molde has been relatively stable in terms of bankruptcy statistics, with no registered bankruptcies in the municipality. Nevertheless, the industry has shown significant variations in both sales and number of employees over time. The most significant increase in employees occurred in 2023, while a sharp decline was recorded in 2024. This may indicate that the industry has been affected by external factors such as the pandemic or local economic conditions.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs considering starting a café in Molde, the data show that the industry has been unstable over time, with both strong increases and significant declines. The most significant increase in employees and sales occurred in 2023, but a sharp decline was recorded in 2024. This may indicate that the industry is sensitive to external factors such as the pandemic or local economic conditions. Nevertheless, it is possible to find space in the municipality, and SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs explore potential locations and business models in Molde.

The broader restaurant and café sector in Molde has a total of 45 companies, showing that cafés constitute a relatively small part of this sector. Sales figures for the broader sector have been more stable over time, with an increase from NOK 154.5 million in 2016 to NOK 205.9 million in 2023, before a decline to NOK 184.5 million in 2025. The number of employees in the broader sector has also been more stable, with an increase from 484 in 2016 to 500 in 2023, before a decline to 453 in 2026. This shows that the broader sector has been more stable than the café industry in Molde.

The café industry in Molde is a small but dynamic sector with four registered companies in the municipality. In recent years, the industry has shown significant variations in both sales and number of employees, with a marked increase in 2023 followed by a decline in 2024. The companies operate mainly in the center of Molde, and the organizational forms are dominated by AS entities. The industry is part of the broader restaurant and café sector in the municipality, which has a total of 45 companies, showing that cafés constitute a relatively small part of this broad sector. For entrepreneurs considering starting a café in Molde, the data show that the industry has been unstable over time, but it is possible to find space in the municipality.