The Café Industry in Stord: Current Situation and Future Prospects

The café industry in Stord is part of the broader restaurant and café sector in the municipality. Although no specific cafés in Stord are registered under NACE code 5114 (café), data from the broader restaurant/café category shows that the sector has experienced fluctuations in both sales and number of employees over time. This provides an important context for understanding potential challenges and opportunities for new players in the municipality.

The broader restaurant and café sector in Stord has experienced variations in sales and employment over the past years. According to data from 2016 to 2025, the number of employees fluctuated between 270 and 329, with an 8.2% decline from 2025 to 2026. Sales have also been unstable, with a 10.6% increase from 2023 to 2024, but stagnation in 2025. These fluctuations may reflect effects of economic variations, crises, and changes in consumer behavior.

No businesses in the café industry (NACE 5114) are registered in Stord. The broader restaurant/café category, however, includes 26 businesses covering various sub-sectors such as restaurants, pizzerias, and cafés. Organizational forms are not detailed for the café industry, but in the broader category, there is a mix of AS, sole proprietorships, and other organizational forms.

Detailed geographic data for the café industry in Stord is not available. The broader restaurant/café category, however, has businesses distributed across several districts in the municipality, such as Hamnegata, Borggata, and Sunnhordlandskaien. This suggests that cafés and restaurants are spread throughout the municipality, but no specific cafés in Stord are registered.

No bankruptcies or bankruptcy proceedings are registered for the café industry in Stord. In the broader restaurant/café category, data shows that some businesses have negative EBITDA, which may indicate economic challenges. For example, Stord Restaurant Drift As and Jacob Pizza As have negative EBITDA, while businesses such as Bakeriet Frugård As and Hsd Sunnhordland Drift As have higher EBITDA. This shows that some businesses in the sector have good financial health, while others face challenges.

For entrepreneurs in the café industry in Stord, it is important to consider the fluctuating trends in the broader restaurant and café sector. Although no existing cafés are registered in the municipality, it may be possible to establish a new business. It is, however, important to be aware of competition from other businesses in the sector, such as Bakeriet Frugård As and Hsd Sunnhordland Drift As, which have higher EBITDA and may be strong competitors.

The broader restaurant and café sector in Stord has 26 businesses, showing that the sector is relatively large. Sales grew by 10.6% from 2023 to 2024, but stagnated in 2025. The number of employees has fluctuated between 270 and 329 over the years. In this sector, we find businesses such as Bakeriet Frugård As (NOK 39.8M in sales, 62 employees) and Hsd Sunnhordland Drift As (NOK 18.1M in sales, 48 employees), which have higher EBITDA than many other businesses. This shows that there are both strong and weak businesses in the sector, which can be an important factor for entrepreneurs in the café industry.

The café industry in Stord has potential, but it is important to be aware of the fluctuating trends in the broader restaurant and café sector. Entrepreneurs should consider competition from existing businesses and the economic challenges shown in the data. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations in the municipality to establish a new café, based on natural conditions and market potential.