The Restaurant Industry in Gausdal: Current Status and Future Outlook

The restaurant industry in Gausdal consists of 6 companies distributed across three key areas: Svingvoll, Follebu, and Espedalen. The industry has experienced both strong growth and challenges in recent years, with a significant sales decline of 51.3% in 2025 compared to 2024. At the same time, the number of employees in the industry has varied significantly, peaking at 38 employees in 2021 and declining to 10 employees in 2025. The broader category restaurant / café in the municipality has 7 companies, showing that cafes and similar businesses form an important part of the total industry. For entrepreneurs and local decision-makers, it is important to note both the opportunities in areas with strong growth and the challenges in an industry with high volatility.

Economic Trends

Over the past few years, sales in the restaurant industry in Gausdal have grown from 1.8 million NOK in 2016 to a peak of 5.7 million NOK in 2024, before experiencing a sharp decline to 2.8 million NOK in 2025. This shows growth of over 200% from 2016 to 2024, but a significant decline of 51.3% in 2025. The number of employees has followed a similar pattern, increasing from 9 employees in 2016 to 38 employees in 2021, before being reduced to 10 employees in 2025. This volatility underscores the industry's vulnerability to external factors such as economic crises and consumer downturns.

Key Economic Figures

• Sales in 2025: 2.8 million NOK (a decline of 51.3% from 2024)
• Number of employees in 2025: 10 (a decline of 28.6% from 2024)
• Annual sales growth: Highest growth in 2017 (+78.6%) and 2018 (+26.2%)
• Annual employee growth: Highest growth in 2021 (+52.0%) and 2019 (+75.0%)

In Gausdal, there are 6 companies registered in the restaurant industry, distributed across the following organizational forms:

Key Companies:

1. Sjølgjort AS (Follebu): Has sales of 2.8 million NOK, but a negative operating result of -30,000 NOK and debt of 642,000 NOK.
2. Hemlagd AS (Espedalen): Has strong sales growth of 59% in 2025 and an EBITDA margin of 54%, indicating good financial health.
3. Da Vinci Restaurant Og Pizzeria Cengiz Murat (Follebu): Has no reported sales or operating results, which may indicate a new or recently started business.

Distribution of Businesses by Location

The restaurant industry in Gausdal is distributed across three main areas:

Key Figures by Location:

• Svingvoll: No reported sales or operating results, but has 13 employees.
• Follebu: Has a negative operating result of -30,000 NOK, but a positive EBITDA of 8,000 NOK.
• Espedalen: Has strong financial health with an EBITDA margin of 54% and a sales growth of 59% in 2025.

Operational Efficiency and Bankruptcy Statistics

Over the past few years, the restaurant industry in Gausdal has experienced both positive and negative developments. There are no reported bankruptcies in the industry, but Sjølgjort AS in Follebu has a negative operating result of -30,000 NOK in 2025. This shows that some companies in the industry may have financial challenges. At the same time, Hemlagd AS in Espedalen has experienced strong sales growth of 59% and an EBITDA margin of 54%, indicating good operational efficiency. It is important to note that the industry has a high degree of variation in financial health between companies, which can affect investments and future development.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs considering starting a restaurant in Gausdal, it is important to consider both the opportunities and challenges in the industry. In recent years, the industry has experienced a significant sales decline of 51.3% in 2025, which may indicate vulnerability to external factors such as economic crises and consumer downturns. However, areas such as Espedalen have shown strong growth and good financial health, which can be an advantage for new companies. Entrepreneurs should also consider analyzing competitors and identifying areas with growth potential. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses and develop strategies that adapt to local conditions and industry trends.

Outlook for the Broader Category Restaurant / Café

The broader category restaurant / café in Gausdal has 7 companies, showing that cafes and similar businesses form an important part of the total industry. Sales in this category have grown from 4.6 million NOK in 2016 to 5.7 million NOK in 2024, before experiencing a sharp decline to 2.8 million NOK in 2025. This shows growth of over 200% from 2016 to 2024, but a significant decline of 51.3% in 2025. At the same time, the number of employees in this category has varied significantly, peaking at 41 employees in 2021 and declining to 10 employees in 2025. This volatility underscores the industry's vulnerability to external factors. An important difference between the broader category and the restaurant industry is that cafes and similar businesses may have a more stable financial health, which can be an advantage for entrepreneurs seeking to establish themselves in the municipality.

The restaurant industry in Gausdal has shown both strong growth and challenges in recent years. With 6 companies and a combination of areas with good financial health and areas with challenges, it is important to consider both opportunities and risks for entrepreneurs. The broader category restaurant / café has shown a somewhat more stable development, which can be an advantage for new companies. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and develop strategies that adapt to local conditions and industry trends. With the right analysis and planning, the restaurant industry in Gausdal can still be an attractive sector for investments and development.