The Restaurant Industry in Grong: Current Situation and Future Opportunities

The restaurant industry in Grong has shown both strengths and challenges over the past few years. There are two registered companies in the industry, with a total of 12 employees and annual revenues of approximately 5.2 million NOK. In recent years, the industry has experienced significant variations in sales and number of employees, with a peak in 2020 and a decline after the pandemic. Although the companies in the industry are small, they have shown some signs of stabilization in 2024–2025. For entrepreneurs, this may be a sign of potential opportunities, but it is important to be aware of the economic challenges that have been present.

Sales in the restaurant industry in Grong have shown significant variations in recent years. Sales reached a peak of 6.4 million NOK in 2020, but fell to 1.7 million NOK in 2023 before a slight increase to 1.8 million NOK in 2024. The number of employees has also been unstable, with a peak of 21 employees in 2022 and a decline to 9 employees in 2024. The EBITDA margin has been low, at 1%, and the industry has shown a weak operating margin. This indicates that the companies have been affected by high operating costs and customer uncertainty.

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

• Grong Terrassen Restaurant & Pizzeria As (Medjåvegen 27): Organized as an AS, with 7 employees and annual revenues of 3.4 million NOK. EBITDA is positive at 66,000 NOK.
• Kafe Kroken As (Granvegen 15): Organized as an AS, with 5 employees and annual revenues of 1.8 million NOK. EBITDA is negative at -11,000 NOK.

Both companies are registered as not bankrupt, but Kafe Kroken has been affected by a decline in sales and EBITDA over the past few years. The organizational form AS is dominant in the industry, with two companies in total.

Activity in the restaurant industry in Grong is concentrated in certain areas:

• Grong: 2 companies, 12 employees, sales of 5.2 million NOK.

There is no detailed data on distribution within the municipality, but the two companies are located in different parts of Grong. This may indicate that it is possible to find places in the municipality with potential customers, even though the industry is relatively small.

The industry has been marked by significant variations in the number of employees and sales over the past few years. There was strong growth in 2021 and 2022, but a sharp decline in 2023 and 2024. Sales fell by 51.9% from 2022 to 2023, before a slight increase in 2024. There are no bankrupt companies in the industry, which indicates that the companies have been able to survive the most challenging periods. This may be a sign that the companies have been flexible and adapted to the circumstances.

For entrepreneurs, there may be both opportunities and challenges in the restaurant industry in Grong. Although the industry has been marked by instability, there has been a slight stabilization in 2024–2025. This may indicate that it is possible to find places in the municipality with potential customers. However, it is important to be aware of the economic challenges, such as high operating costs and customer uncertainty. Entrepreneurs should also consider the competition from other companies in the industry and potential changes in customer needs.

In the broader category of restaurant / café in Grong, there are four registered companies, which shows that the industry is somewhat larger than what is registered in the individual restaurant category. Sales in the broader category have been more stable, with a peak of 11.7 million NOK in 2020 and a decline to 8.5 million NOK in 2023. The number of employees has also been more stable, with a peak of 40 employees in 2023. This indicates that the broader category has been more resilient over time. Examples of companies in the broader category not registered in the restaurant industry include Harran Kro As (Namsenvegen 1515, 7873 Harran) and Kina Kro Gao Zhemin (Lokstallvegen 10, 7870 Grong).

The restaurant industry in Grong has shown both strengths and challenges over the past few years. Although the companies in the industry are small, they have shown some signs of stabilization in 2024–2025. This may be a sign of potential opportunities for entrepreneurs, but it is important to be aware of the economic challenges that have been present. Entrepreneurs should also consider the competition from other companies in the industry and potential changes in customer needs. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find places in Grong where there is natural development for the restaurant industry.