The Coffee Industry in Skien: Current Status and Outlook

Overview of the Coffee Industry in Skien

The coffee industry in Skien is an important part of the local economy, with 9 registered companies in 2026. In total, there are 58 employees in the industry, and the annual revenue amounts to NOK 17.7 million. The most prominent companies are Cafe Tullis (29 employees, NOK 13.2M in sales) and Geiteryggen Cafe As (15 employees, NOK 4.9M in sales). The industry shows stable growth over the past few years, with an annual sales growth of 11.2% from 2024 to 2025. However, there are variations in profit margins and operating results, which are discussed in the next section.

Sales and Employees in the Coffee Industry in Skien (2016–2026):

The industry has experienced a sales growth of 11.2% from 2024 to 2025, but employee numbers have varied more. The highest number of employees was recorded in 2017 (70), while the lowest was in 2023 (56). This shows that the industry has been affected by fluctuations in employee numbers, but has maintained relatively stable sales growth over time.

In Skien, there are 9 companies registered in the coffee industry, distributed across different organizational forms:

• AS (Public Limited Company): 3 companies, 64 employees, NOK 20.2M in operating income.
• DA (Sole Proprietorship): 1 company, 9 employees, NOK 0 in operating income.
• ANS (Partnership): 1 company, 0 employees, NOK 132.0K in operating income.

Key companies in the industry:

1. Cafe Tullis (Langbryggene 8, Skien) – AS, 29 employees, NOK 13.2M in sales.
2. Fersk Og Ferdig Selskapsmat As (Nedre Hjellegate 1, Skien) – AS, 20 employees, NOK 1.7M in sales.
3. Geiteryggen Cafe As (Voldsvegen 204, Skien) – AS, 15 employees, NOK 4.9M in sales.

There are no registered bankruptcies in the industry, but some companies have negative operating results, such as Cafe Reykjavik Ans (NOK -160.0K in operating profit).

All 9 companies in the coffee industry in Skien are registered in Skien. There is no sub-counting of activity in sub-areas or districts. This indicates that the coffee industry is centrally located in the municipality's center, which can be an advantage for customer access and collaboration with other local businesses. However, there is no detailed data on the distribution of companies in different districts or areas in Skien.

The coffee industry in Skien has been marked by variations in operating results and employee numbers over time. While most companies have positive operating results, some companies have negative figures, such as Cafe Reykjavik Ans (NOK -160.0K in operating profit) and Ts Service & Event Da (NOK 0 in sales). This may indicate that the industry has a certain degree of uncertainty, especially for new or smaller companies. However, there are no registered bankruptcies in the industry, which shows that most companies have managed to stay afloat.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs considering starting a coffee shop in Skien, the data show that the industry has experienced stable growth over time, with an annual sales growth of 11.2% from 2024 to 2025. However, there are variations in wage margins and operating results, which can be a challenge. It is also important to note that there are several companies in the industry, which can lead to bankruptcy. Entrepreneurs should therefore be aware of ensuring good financing and stable operating results. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Skien for coffee shop operations.

Outlook for the Restaurant and Coffee Industry in Skien

The coffee industry in Skien is part of the broader restaurant and coffee industry (NOK 263.4M in sales in 2025), which has 102 companies. The broader industry has a lower annual sales growth (9.9% from 2024 to 2025) compared to the coffee industry (11.2%). There is also greater variation in operating results in the broader industry, which can be a challenge for entrepreneurs. Peer companies in the broader industry include Gulset Grill Og Pizza As (NOK 31.3M in sales, NOK 4.5M in EBITDA) and Pizzanet As (NOK 10.2M in sales, NOK 2.0M in EBITDA). This shows that there are growth opportunities in the broader industry, but also a certain degree of bankruptcy risk.

The coffee industry in Skien has shown stable growth over time, with 9 companies and 58 employees in 2026. However, there are variations in operating results and employee numbers, which can be a challenge for entrepreneurs. The broader restaurant and coffee industry in Skien also has growth opportunities, but with a certain degree of bankruptcy risk. Entrepreneurs should therefore be aware of ensuring good financing and stable operating results. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Skien for coffee shop operations.