The Restaurant Industry in Bjerkreim: Current Situation and Future Opportunities

The restaurant industry in Bjerkreim is a small but dynamic sector with two registered companies. In recent years, the industry has been marked by both increases and decreases in revenue and number of employees, indicating an uncertain market development. There is a mix of organizational forms, with one AS and one ENK, and one of the two companies is in bankruptcy. This shows that the industry has both stable and unstable elements, which can be a challenge for new players.

Economic data shows that restaurant industry revenue in Bjerkreim has had an uneven development. From 2018 to 2019, revenue increased by 16.7%, but fell sharply in 2020 by 64.1%. There has been a gradual increase since, with a rise of 46.3% from 2022 to 2023. The number of employees has been more variable, with an increase from 0 to 11 employees from 2016 to 2023, followed by a decline to 4 employees in 2026. The EBITDA margin has been negative (-1%) in 2023, showing that the industry has faced challenges in generating profit.

There are two companies registered in the restaurant industry in Bjerkreim:

1. Laksebørsen As – Registered at Gamle Bjerkreimsveg 14, with 4 employees. The company is in bankruptcy and has a negative total equity of NOK -83.0K. Revenue for 2023 was NOK 511.0K, with an EBITDA of NOK -10.0K.

1. Søylandsgrill Strauss – Registered at Buevegen 2272, Vikeså, with 0 employees. The company has no revenue or operating profit, and is not in bankruptcy.

Organizational forms are divided into one AS and one ENK. There are no companies with other organizational forms in the industry.

Activity in the restaurant industry is concentrated in one district in Bjerkreim:

• Bjerkreim: 1 company, 4 employees, revenue of NOK 511.0K, operating profit of NOK -10.0K, and EBITDA of NOK -10.0K. There is no activity in other districts in the municipality.

The industry has been marked by bankruptcy and unstable operating results. Laksebørsen As is in bankruptcy, showing a serious financing challenge. Søylandsgrill Strauss has no operating activity, which may indicate a temporary pause or a permanent closure. The number of employees has been highly variable, with an increase from 0 to 11 employees from 2016 to 2023, followed by a decline to 4 employees in 2026. This shows that the industry has been marked by both growth and decline over the past few years.

For entrepreneurs considering starting a restaurant business in Bjerkreim, it is important to be aware of the uncertain market conditions. The industry has been marked by both increases and decreases in revenue and number of employees, indicating an uncertain market development. There are, however, opportunities to leverage local tourism and cultural events in the municipality. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations and develop strategies that adapt to local conditions.

When comparing the restaurant industry with the broader category restaurant / café in Bjerkreim, data shows that the broader category has a more stable development. The broader category has 3 companies, while the restaurant industry has 2. Revenue for the broader category has been higher, with NOK 25.3M in 2016 and NOK 13.7M in 2025. The number of employees has also been higher, with 24 employees in 2016 and 14 employees in 2026. One of the key peer companies in the broader category is Vikeså Veiservice As Avd Kafe, which has a revenue of NOK 13.5M and 11 employees. This shows that cafes and restaurants together have a more stable market position than the restaurant industry alone.

The restaurant industry in Bjerkreim is a small but dynamic sector with both challenges and opportunities. In recent years, the industry has been marked by unstable revenue figures and a bankruptcy, showing that it is important to be aware of financing challenges. At the same time, there are opportunities to leverage local tourism and cultural events. For entrepreneurs, it is important to carefully analyze the market and develop strategies that adapt to local conditions. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations and develop plans that maximize opportunities in this industry.