The Café Industry in Verdal: Current Situation and Future Outlook

The café industry in Verdal is a small but stable sector with one registered company: China Palace As. The sector has remained relatively unchanged over the past few years, with a stable number of employees and consistent revenue. Although the café industry is small, it is part of the broader restaurant/café sector in the municipality, which has a more dynamic development. This provides an interesting comparison for entrepreneurs considering starting a café in Verdal.

Economic Trends

• Revenue: The café industry in Verdal had revenue of NOK 2.6 million in 2025, with a slightly increasing trend over the years. There was an increase of +11.7% from 2023 to 2024, but a decline of -0.0% in 2025.
• Number of employees: The number of employees has remained constant at 3 since 2016, with a single increase from 3 to 4 employees in 2017.
• EBITDA margin: The café industry in Verdal has a high EBITDA margin of 24%, indicating good operational efficiency.
• Gross margin: The sector has a high gross margin of 85%, suggesting that costs for goods and services are relatively low compared to revenue.

Registered Companies

• China Palace As is the only café company registered in Verdal. The company was founded in 2012 and has a legal structure as AS (Share Company). It has 3 employees and is not bankrupt.
• Financing: The company has total debt of NOK 880,000 and equity of NOK 30,000. It has revenue of NOK 2.6 million and an operating profit of NOK 633,000.
• Location: The company is located at Jernbanegata 11, Verdal.

Geographic Distribution

• Verdal: The only café company in Verdal is located in the Verdal city center, at Jernbanegata 11. This shows that the café industry in the municipality is concentrated in the city center, which can be an advantage for entrepreneurs seeking to establish themselves in an active urban area.
• Potential expansions: With one café in the municipality, it may be possible to expand to other districts or buildings in Verdal, especially if there is a need for more café and restaurant offerings in the area.

Operational Dynamics and Bankruptcy Statistics

• Bankruptcy: There are no bankrupt café companies registered in Verdal, showing that the sector is stable and has good operational economics.
• Bankruptcy in the broader sector: In the broader restaurant/café sector in Verdal, companies such as Verdal Bistro As and Arma Holding As have gone bankrupt, indicating that there may be risks in the sector. Entrepreneurs should therefore be mindful of operational economics and financing.
• EBITDA: The café sector has a high EBITDA of NOK 633,000, indicating that the operating profit is approved in relation to revenue.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

• Stability: The café industry in Verdal has proven to be stable over time, with a constant number of employees and revenue of NOK 2.6 million in 2025. This can be an advantage for entrepreneurs seeking a stable and predictable sector.
• Competitiveness: With one café in the municipality, it may be possible to establish oneself in Verdal without facing significant competition. This can be an advantage for entrepreneurs seeking to start a café in the municipality.
• Broader sector: The broader restaurant/café sector in Verdal has a more dynamic development, with more companies and greater variation in revenue. Entrepreneurs should therefore consider examining both the café and restaurant sectors to find the best opportunities.

• Restaurant/café sector: The broader sector in Verdal has 17 companies, showing that it is a more dynamic and development-oriented sector compared to the café industry. Revenue in the sector has grown by +5.6% from 2024 to 2025, indicating a positive trend.
• Competing companies: In the broader sector, we find companies such as Siciliana Restaurant As (NOK 14.8 million in revenue, NOK 1.2 million in EBITDA) and Victoria Verdal As (NOK 6.5 million in revenue, NOK 371,000 in EBITDA). This shows that it is possible to establish oneself in a sector with both high revenue and good operational economics.
• Bankruptcy risk: In the broader sector, companies such as Verdal Bistro As and Arma Holding As have gone bankrupt, showing that there may be risks in the sector. Entrepreneurs should therefore be mindful of operational economics and financing.

The café industry in Verdal is a small but stable sector with one registered company: China Palace As. The sector has proven to be stable over time, with a constant number of employees and revenue of NOK 2.6 million in 2025. This can be an advantage for entrepreneurs seeking a stable and predictable sector. The broader restaurant/café sector in Verdal has a more dynamic development, with more companies and greater variation in revenue. Entrepreneurs should therefore consider examining both the café and restaurant sectors to find the best opportunities. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find the best locations in Verdal to start a café or restaurant.