Industry · municipality
The Restaurant Industry in Bø: Current Status and Future Prospects
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
| Year | Sales (NOK) | Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 33,9M | 120 |
| 2017 | 44,0M | 179 |
| 2018 | 36,1M | 149 |
| 2019 | 38,5M | 111 |
| 2020 | 2,1M | 6 |
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.



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.



Other companies in restaurant / kafé (not in restaurant)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rune's Bar As | cafe | Steine, 8470 Bø I Vesterålen | NOK 347.0K | 0 | NOK 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.