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Industry · municipality

The Restaurant Industry in Bø: Current Status and Future Prospects

Published 22.09.2026

Economic Overview, Companies, and Opportunities for Entrepreneurs in Bø Municipality (Nordland). Data from 2016–2025 and Comparison with the Broader Category (Restaurant/Café).

Executive Summary

The restaurant industry in Bø has experienced significant variations over time. From a sales and employment increase in 2016–2017, the industry experienced a sharp decline, especially in 2020, when both sales and employee numbers fell drastically. This can be linked to the pandemic and its consequences for the service and food industries. In 2025, there is a weak sales recovery, but it is still far from pre-2020 levels. The industry has few registered companies, and there is no publicly available data on the organizational forms of the registered companies.

Economic Overview

Sales and Employees in the Restaurant Industry in Bø

YearSales (NOK)Employees
201633,9M120
201744,0M179
201836,1M149
201938,5M111
20202,1M6

Sales increased by 29.8% from 2016 to 2017, but fell by 18.0% in 2018. In 2020, the decline was extreme, with -94.5% compared to 2019. The number of employees followed a similar trend, with a sharp decline from 179 in 2017 to just 6 in 2020. This shows a highly unstable industry in Bø, especially during the pandemic.

Sales over time — restaurant — Bø
Sales over time — restaurant
Number of companies — restaurant — Bø
Number of companies — restaurant
Employees over time — restaurant — Bø
Employees over time — restaurant

Companies in the Industry

Companies in the Restaurant Industry in Bø

There is no publicly available data on specific companies in the restaurant industry in Bø. No companies in this industry are registered in the municipality according to available information. There is also no data on the organizational forms of companies in this industry.

Business Geography

Distribution of Business by City/Location

There is no available data on the distribution of restaurant businesses by specific cities or locations in Bø. No detailed geographic activity for this industry is registered in the municipality.

Business Dynamics

Business Dynamics and Bankruptcy Statistics

There is no publicly available data on bankruptcy or bankrupt companies in the restaurant industry in Bø. The extreme decline in sales and employees in 2020 may indicate that many companies faced serious challenges, but no bankruptcies in this industry are registered in the municipality. This may be due to companies surviving through adaptation or government support.

Outlook

Outlook for Entrepreneurs in the Restaurant Industry in Bø

For entrepreneurs considering starting a restaurant in Bø, it is important to be aware of the extreme decline in 2020 and the weak recovery in 2025. Although there is a weak sales recovery, it is still far from pre-pandemic levels. However, some companies may have adapted and are operating today. Entrepreneurs should carefully analyze local needs and competitors, and be prepared to adapt to market changes. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses and explore opportunities in Bø for this industry.

Outlook for the Broader Category

Outlook for the Broader Category (Restaurant/Café)

The broader category restaurant/café in Bø has a somewhat more stable development compared to the restaurant industry alone. In 2020, this category experienced a sales decline of -94.0%, but there is a weak recovery from 2022 to 2023. This category also has more companies, including Rune's Bar As (café) with an EBITDA of NOK 52.0K and sales of NOK 347.0K. This shows that cafés may have a different dynamic than restaurants in Bø. Entrepreneurs should consider comparing their plans with both restaurant and café businesses in the municipality.

Sales in the parent industry — restaurant / kafé — Bø
Sales in the parent industry — restaurant / kafé
Companies in the parent industry — restaurant / kafé — Bø
Companies in the parent industry — restaurant / kafé
Employees in the parent industry — restaurant / kafé — Bø
Employees in the parent industry — restaurant / kafé

Other companies in restaurant / kafé (not in restaurant)

CompanyIndustryAddressSalesEmployeesEBITDA
Rune's Bar AscafeSteine, 8470 Bø I VesterålenNOK 347.0K0NOK 52.0K

Conclusion

The restaurant industry in Bø has been marked by significant variations, especially during the pandemic. Although there is a weak recovery in sales and employment after 2020, entrepreneurs still face major challenges. It is important to be realistic about market conditions and competition. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses and explore opportunities in Bø for this industry. Entrepreneurs should also consider analyzing both restaurant and café businesses to identify the best opportunities.