The Restaurant Industry in Asker: Analysis of Companies, Statistics, and Outlooks

The restaurant industry in Asker is an important part of the municipality's local economy, with 105 registered companies. The industry has been marked by fluctuations in both sales and number of employees over the past few years, with a decline in 2024 and 2025. One bankruptcy has been registered in the industry, indicating a certain degree of instability. At the same time, there are several areas in the municipality with activity, especially in Asker, Slemmestad, and Sætre. The industry has a mix of organizational forms, with AS being the most common, and there are opportunities for both new and existing companies to develop in a competitive market.

Sales and Employees in the Industry

Sales:

• 2025: NOK 106.6 million (down 19.2% from 2024)
• 2024: NOK 131.9 million
• 2023: NOK 150.4 million

Employees:

• 2025: 459 employees (down 4.1% from 2024)
• 2024: 462 employees
• 2023: 486 employees

Reasons for the Decline

• Economic pressure from higher operating costs and lower customer spending.
• Competitiveness in an industry with many small and medium-sized companies.
• Fluctuations in tourism and local economic conditions.

Summary

The industry has been marked by a decline in both sales and number of employees over the past few years, with the most significant decline in 2024 and 2025. This shows a need for strategic adaptation and efficient operations to survive and grow.

Registered Companies in the Industry

• Total number of companies: 105 (16 listed in the data)
• Organizational forms:
• AS (40 companies, 465 employees)
• STI (1 company, 25 employees)
• Fli (1 company, 11 employees)
• Enk (2 companies, 9 employees)
• Da (1 company, 4 employees)

Examples of Companies

1. Lancelot As (Torvveien 12 C, Asker): 27 employees, NOK 22 million in sales, NOK 2.5 million in EBITDA.
2. Ml Plenum As (Vaterlandsveien 27, Slemmestad): 31 employees, NOK 8.9 million in sales, NOK 281 thousand in EBITDA.
3. Stiftelsen Sætre Gård (Sætrealleen 2, Sætre): 25 employees, NOK 5.9 million in sales, NOK 3 thousand in EBITDA.

Challenges

• Some companies have negative EBITDA and low margins.
• Bankruptcy cases (e.g., India House As) indicate risks for small companies.

Distribution of Activity in the Municipality

Key Areas

• Asker is the most active area with 24 companies and 255 employees.
• Slemmestad and Sætre also have significant activity, but with fewer companies.
• Holmsbu and Nesbru show negative EBITDA, which may indicate economic challenges.

Bankruptcy and Operational Results

• Bankruptcy cases: One company (India House As) is registered as bankrupt in the industry.
• Operational results:
• Positive EBITDA: Lancelot As (NOK 2.5 million), Ml Plenum As (NOK 281 thousand), Stiftelsen Sætre Gård (NOK 3 thousand).
• Negative EBITDA: Holmsbu (Schulestedet Holmsbu As: NOK -685 thousand), Nesbru (Anker Hausmann As: NOK 0), Billingstad (Billingstad: NOK -13 thousand).

Analysis

• Bankruptcy cases are rare, but indicate that the industry may be vulnerable to economic pressures.
• Some companies have high margins (Lancelot As: 11%), while others have negative values.
• Operational results vary greatly, which may be due to different operational strategies and company sizes.

Development for Entrepreneurs

• Competitiveness: The industry has many companies, but there are opportunities for innovation and differentiation.
• Location choice: Asker and Slemmestad are the most active, but Holmsbu and Nesbru have potential for improvement.
• Operational results: Companies with high EBITDA (such as Lancelot As) can be models for efficient operations.
• Risk: Low margins and bankruptcies indicate a need for careful financial planning.

Summary

Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in Asker or Slemmestad, where there is the most activity. It is important to focus on efficient operations and differentiation to compete in a saturated market environment.

Comparison with Broader Category

• Total number of companies in category: 147 (industry has 105 companies)
• Sales in category: NOK 357.8 million in 2025 (industry: NOK 106.6 million)
• Employees in category: 795 in 2026 (industry: 459 in 2025)

Peer Companies in Category

Conclusion

The broader category (restaurant/cafe) has higher sales and more companies, but the industry (restaurant) has higher EBITDA in some companies. Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in the most operationally efficient companies within the category to maximize potential.

The restaurant industry in Asker has both challenges and opportunities. With a decline in sales and number of employees over the past few years, it is important to focus on efficient operations and differentiation. Asker and Slemmestad are the most active, but there is potential for improvement in other areas. Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in these areas, with a focus on high EBITDA and operational efficiency. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses and strategies to succeed in this industry.