Industry · municipality
The Pub Industry in Sarpsborg: Current Status and Future Prospects
Economic Overview, Companies, and Development Trends in the Municipality of Sarpsborg, Viken County, Norway
Executive Summary
Overview of the Pub Industry in Sarpsborg
The pub industry in Sarpsborg is a small but dynamic sector with two registered companies. One, Nye Neptune Pub As, is active with 15 employees and a revenue of 7.6 million NOK. The other, Brevik'n As, is registered but has no employees or revenue. The industry shows both strengths and challenges, with an average annual revenue of 7.7 million NOK and variable employee development.
Key Figures in 2025:
- Revenue: 7.4 million NOK
- Number of employees: 18
- EBITDA margin: 6%
- Average income per employee: 50.7 kNOK
Economic Overview
Revenue development (2016–2025):
- Highest revenue: 8.2 million NOK in 2016
- Lowest revenue: 4.8 million NOK in 2020 (due to the pandemic)
- Recovery: Increase to 8.1 million NOK in 2023, but decline to 7.4 million NOK in 2025
Employee development (2016–2025):
- Maximum number of employees: 18 in 2025
- Minimum number of employees: 6 in 2019
- Largest increase: +83.3% from 2019 to 2020
- Largest decrease: -38.5% from 2017 to 2018
Key Figures 2025:
- EBITDA: 491,000 NOK
- Average income per employee: 50.7 kNOK
- Average revenue per employee: 413.3 kNOK
Companies in the Industry
Registered companies in Sarpsborg (2025):
| Company | Incorporation Year | Number of Employees | Company Form | Revenue (2025) | EBITDA (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nye Neptune Pub As | 2004 | 15 | AS | 7.6M NOK | 491,000 NOK |
| Brevik'n As | 2023 | 0 | AS | 0 NOK | 0 NOK |
Company Form Statistics:
- AS companies: 1 company with 15 employees
- Other company forms: None registered
Business Geography
Distribution of activity in the municipality (2025):
| Location | Number of Companies | Number of Employees | Revenue (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarpsborg | 1 | 15 | 7.6M NOK |
| Skjeberg | 1 | 0 | 0 NOK |
Observations:
- Activity is concentrated in Sarpsborg, where Nye Neptune Pub As is the only operating company
- Brevik'n As in Skjeberg is registered but has no activity
- Geographic spread is limited, but there is potential for development in other areas of the municipality
Business Dynamism
Bankruptcies and bankruptcies:
- No bankruptcies registered in the pub industry in Sarpsborg in 2025
- Brevik'n As is registered but has no activity, which may indicate an earlier start or a focus on future development
Development trends:
- Largest revenue increase: +55.9% from 2021 to 2022
- Largest revenue decrease: -33.8% from 2019 to 2020 (due to the pandemic)
- Largest employee increase: +83.3% from 2019 to 2020
- Largest employee decrease: -38.5% from 2017 to 2018
Future Outlook
Future Outlook for the Pub Industry
Trend Analysis:
- The industry has shown itself to be resilient after the pandemic, with revenue of 8.1 million NOK in 2023
- Stable number of employees (15–18) in recent years, despite variations
- EBITDA margin of 6% indicates good cost control
Potential Challenges:
- Competition from bars and clubs in the municipality (see parent-outlook)
- Costs related to operations (total debt of 2.2 million NOK for Nye Neptune Pub As)
- Knowledge gap in the industry, with only one active company
Opportunities:
- New companies can find a place in the municipality, especially if they can adapt to local needs
- Innovation in operations and offerings can provide competitiveness
- Support from the municipality for local entrepreneurs can provide additional strength
Future Outlook for the Bar/Club Sector
Contrast between the pub industry and the bar/club sector:
- Number of companies: The bar/club sector has 8 companies, while the pub industry has 2
- Revenue: The bar/club sector had 14.8 million NOK in 2025, while the pub industry had 7.4 million NOK
- Employees: The bar/club sector had 46 employees in 2026, while the pub industry had 18 employees in 2025
Peer companies in the bar/club sector (2025):
| Company | Location | Revenue | EBITDA | Number of Employees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edvarts Pubdrift As | Sarpsborg | 4.3M NOK | 66,000 NOK | 10 |
| Sarpsborg Bardrift As | Sarpsborg | 0 NOK | 0 NOK | 16 |
| Olavs Pub As | Greåker | 3.2M NOK | -136,000 NOK | 4 |
Observations:
- The bar/club sector has both larger volume and more variation in company performance
- Nye Neptune Pub As has a better EBITDA margin (6%) compared to many bars (e.g., Sarpsborg Bardrift As with 0%)
- Olavs Pub As has negative EBITDA, indicating challenges in operations
Other companies in bar / klubb (not in pub)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edvarts Pubdrift As | bar | Pellygata 78, 1706 Sarpsborg | NOK 4.3M | 10 | NOK 66.0K |
| Downtown Pub As | bar | H. Halvorsens vei 27A, 1734 Hafslundsøy | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Downtown Pub As | bar | H. Halvorsens vei 27A, 1734 Hafslundsøy | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Eighteen As | bar | St. Marie gate 82, 1706 Sarpsborg | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Sarpsborg Bardrift As | bar | St. Marie gate 105, 1706 Sarpsborg | NOK 0 | 16 | NOK 0 |
| Olavs Pub As | bar | Orebekkveien 5, 1718 Greåker | NOK 3.2M | 4 | NOK -136.0K |
Conclusion
The pub industry in Sarpsborg is a small but dynamic sector with potential for growth and development. With one active company (Nye Neptune Pub As) and a revenue of 7.4 million NOK in 2025, the industry shows both strengths and challenges. Larger companies in the bar/club sector in the municipality indicate that there are opportunities for expansion and innovation.
For entrepreneurs and local decision-makers, it is important to be aware of:
- Competition from bars and clubs in the municipality
- Costs related to operations and investments
- Knowledge gap in the industry, with only one active company
SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Sarpsborg for the pub industry, with a focus on views and nature. It is important to consider both local needs and competitiveness when considering starting a company in this sector.