Industry · municipality
The Restaurant Industry in Gildeskål: Current Situation and Future Prospects
Analysis of the Restaurant Industry in Gildeskål Municipality Based on Company Data, Economic Trends, and the Geographic Distribution of Businesses in the Municipality.
Executive Summary
Overview of the Restaurant Industry in Gildeskål
The restaurant industry in Gildeskål is a small but dynamic sector with four registered companies in the municipality. In recent years, the industry has experienced both strong fluctuations and a gradual recovery after a period of decline. In 2026, there are 4 employees in the industry, indicating a gradual decline after a period with zero employees from 2019 to 2021. Sales have also been unstable, with a sharp decline from 2016 to 2017, but an increase since 2021. This suggests that the industry has been affected by external factors, such as crises or changes in consumer behavior, but also shows potential for future growth.
Economic Overview
Sales Development:
- 2016: NOK 2.9 million (highest level)
- 2017: NOK 94,000 (decline of 96.8 %)
- 2025: NOK 283,000 (increase of 53.0 % from 2024)
Employee Development:
- 2016: 13 employees
- 2017: 16 employees (increase of 23.1 %)
- 2018: 2 employees (decline of 87.5 %)
- 2026: 4 employees (increase of 33.3 % from 2025)
The most significant sales fluctuation occurred between 2016 and 2017, which can be linked to major changes in the industry. After a period of low activity (2019–2021), there has been a gradual increase in both sales and number of employees. This suggests that the industry has been in a phase of adaptation and rebuilding after a crisis period.



Companies in the Industry
In Gildeskål, there are four registered companies in the restaurant industry:
| Company | Location | Legal Form | Number of Employees | Sales (2025) | EBITDA (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elias Blix Cafeen | Sandhornøy | ENK | 4 | NOK 0 | NOK 0 |
| Jonbrygga As | Sørarnøy | AS | 0 | NOK 283,000 | NOK 30,000 |
| Juran Drift As | Storvik | AS | 0 | NOK 0 | NOK 0 |
| Selda Cocii | Storvik | ENK | 0 | NOK 0 | NOK 0 |
Legal Forms:
- ENK (Sole Proprietorship): 1 company, with 4 employees.
- AS (Limited Company): 2 companies, but no employees.
Jonbrygga As is the only company with positive financial data, with an EBITDA margin of 10 % and a sales growth of 52 % in 2025. The other companies have not reported sales or EBITDA, which may indicate low activity or newly established companies.
Geographic Distribution of Business Activity
The restaurant industry in Gildeskål is concentrated in certain areas:
- Sandhornøy: 1 company (Elias Blix Cafeen), 4 employees, but no sales or EBITDA reported.
- Sørarnøy: 1 company (Jonbrygga As), 0 employees, with positive financial data.
- Storvik: 2 companies (Juran Drift As and Selda Cocii), 0 employees, no sales or EBITDA reported.
This shows that the business activity is spread across several districts, but with a clear focus on Sandhornøy and Sørarnøy. Jonbrygga As in Sørarnøy is the only company with active sales and EBITDA, which may indicate a more stable business in this area.

Operational Dynamics and Bankruptcy Statistics
In Gildeskål, there are no registered bankruptcies in the restaurant industry in recent years. All four companies are still in operation, although some of them have low or no activity. Jonbrygga As is the only company with positive financial data, which suggests a stable business. The other companies have not reported sales or EBITDA, which may indicate low activity or newly established companies. This shows that the industry has been affected by fluctuations, but has not experienced major operational problems or bankruptcies.
Future Outlook
The restaurant industry in Gildeskål shows signs of a gradual increase after a period of decline. Sales have increased from NOK 185,000 in 2024 to NOK 283,000 in 2025, and the number of employees has increased from 3 to 4. This suggests that the industry has been in a phase of rebuilding after a crisis period. Jonbrygga As has shown strong financial results, which may be a positive signal for future growth. For entrepreneurs, this could be an opportunity, especially in areas such as Sørarnøy, where there is a company with positive operations. However, entrepreneurs should be aware of the industry's historical fluctuations and ensure stable income before investing.
Conclusion
The restaurant industry in Gildeskål is a small but dynamic sector with potential for growth. Although the industry has experienced major fluctuations in sales and number of employees, the last few years show signs of a gradual increase. Jonbrygga As has proven to be a stable business, which may be a positive signal for future development. For entrepreneurs, there may be opportunities in areas such as Sørarnøy, where there is a company with positive operations. However, entrepreneurs should be aware of the industry's historical fluctuations and ensure stable income before investing. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Gildeskål for restaurant business, based on data and local conditions.