The Cafe Industry in Rana: An Analysis of Economics, Companies, and Prospects

The cafe industry in Rana is a dynamic but variable sector with 8 registered companies in the municipality. In recent years, the industry has experienced both increases and decreases in sales and number of employees, indicating a sector influenced by both local and national trends. The most prominent companies are organized as AS, with a combination of established businesses and newer companies. Rana has a clear concentration of cafe activity in Mo I Rana, where most companies are located. For entrepreneurs, the industry can offer opportunities, but it is important to be aware of the economic variations and competition in a broader restaurant and cafe sector.

Economic Trends

The cafe industry in Rana has experienced significant variations in sales and number of employees over time. From 2016 to 2025, sales have ranged between NOK 20.9 million and NOK 34.6 million, with a decline of 23.1% from 2023 to 2024. The number of employees has also been unstable, with a peak of 84 employees in 2020 and a decline to 49 employees in 2024. This shows a sector influenced by both economic and cyclical factors.

Sales Development

Sales figures have shown a decline of 18.2% from 2016 to 2017, but an increase of 27.0% from 2021 to 2022. The most dramatic decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 50.9% compared to 2018. This can be linked to local and national developments, such as the pandemic in 2020.

Workforce

The number of employees has shown a more complex development, with an increase of 21.7% from 2021 to 2022, but a decline of 28.6% from 2022 to 2023. This variation can be attributed to both company mergers, downscaling, and new businesses starting up.

Registered Companies

In Rana, there are 8 companies registered in the cafe industry, distributed across the following organizational forms:

The most prominent companies include:

• Perse As (Fridtjof Nansens gate 28, Mo I Rana): 20 employees, operates with an EBITDA margin of 12%.
• Meyercafeen (Ole Tobias Olsensg 22, Mo I Rana): 14 employees, with an EBITDA margin of 13%.
• Coop Midt Norge Sa Avd 273 Obs Kafe Mo I Rana (Svortdalen 26, Mo I Rana): 13 employees, but with zero sales and operating income.

Organizational Forms

Most companies are organized as AS, indicating a sector with a certain degree of stability and capital management. Some companies, such as Chroma Mat As, have relatively small operating incomes compared to the number of employees, which may indicate challenges in cost control.

Geographic Distribution

Cafe activity in Rana is concentrated in Mo I Rana, where 4 companies are registered with a total of 53 employees. This area has a high impact on the industry, with an operating income of NOK 23.7 million and a sales volume of NOK 23.6 million. Other parts of the municipality, such as Utskarpen and Dalsgrenda, have no registered cafe activity, indicating a clear concentration in central areas.

Local Adaptation

The geographic concentration in Mo I Rana can be due to a combination of population size, tourist activity, and infrastructure. This area also has a high degree of variation in company size and operational results, which can be an advantage for entrepreneurs seeking to establish themselves in a competitive sector.

Bankruptcies and Economic Challenges

None of the registered companies in the cafe industry in Rana have been registered as bankrupt, indicating a relatively stable sector. However, some companies show negative or zero results, such as Coop Midt Norge Sa Avd 273 Obs Kafe Mo I Rana and Cafe X, which have zero sales and operating income. This may indicate challenges in operations or competition in a sector with many actors.

Economic Dynamics

The most stable companies have a high EBITDA margin (12%) and a good distribution of income per employee. However, there are also companies with lower margins, such as Chroma Mat As, which has an EBITDA margin of 7%. This shows that there is a wide variation in economic health within the industry.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the cafe industry in Rana, it is important to be aware of both opportunities and challenges. The industry has shown itself to be unstable in sales and number of employees, which can be due to both local and national trends. However, there are opportunities in a sector with a relatively high degree of competition and established businesses that can provide experience and networks.

Key Factors

• Competitiveness: With 8 companies in the municipality, it is a competitive sector, but there are opportunities to establish oneself in a specialized niche.
• Economic Stability: The most stable companies have a high EBITDA margin and a good distribution of income per employee, which can be an advantage for entrepreneurs seeking to establish themselves in a sector with good economic health.
• Local Trends: The geographic concentration in Mo I Rana can provide opportunities to establish oneself in an area with a high population and tourist activity.

Comparison with Broader Sector

The cafe industry in Rana is part of a broader restaurant and cafe sector in the municipality, which has 44 companies. This sector has a higher degree of variation in sales and number of employees, with a peak of NOK 167.1 million in 2023 and a decline to NOK 113.0 million in 2025. This shows that the cafe industry is part of a sector with both opportunities and challenges.

Peer Companies

In the broader sector, we find companies such as:

• Eilertsen Restaurantdrift As (Coldevins gate 28, 8610 Mo I Rana): NOK 17.2 million in sales and 17 employees.
• Bimbo Veikro As (Saltfjellveien 34, 8613 Mo I Rana): NOK 12.9 million in sales and 34 employees.
• Tøf Servering As (Rådhusalleen 6, 8622 Mo I Rana): NOK 2.3 million in sales and 10 employees.

Conclusion

The cafe industry in Rana is part of a broader sector with both opportunities and challenges. Entrepreneurs should consider both economic and geographic factors when considering establishing themselves in the municipality.

The cafe industry in Rana is a sector with both opportunities and challenges. With 8 companies and a concentration in Mo I Rana, it is a competitive sector, but there are also variations in economic health and sales. For entrepreneurs, there may be opportunities in a sector with established businesses and good infrastructure, but it is important to be aware of the economic variations and competition. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and develop strategies to establish themselves in a sector with potential.