Industry · municipality
The Restaurant Industry in Haugesund: Key Figures, Companies, and Outlook
An analytical overview of the restaurant sector in Haugesund based on 2026 data and historical trends (2016–2025).
Overview of the Restaurant Industry in Haugesund
Executive Summary
Haugesund has a thriving restaurant sector with 89 registered companies in the municipality, according to 2026 data. The industry has shown both strength and vulnerability over time, with a significant sales decline in 2025 (31.3%) followed by a rebound in 2026. One bankruptcy has been recorded in the sector (Bytunetnattklubb As), indicating some market dynamics. EBITDA margins range between 7-10% for the most profitable companies, suggesting a relatively stable industry. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs analyze location opportunities in Haugesund for this sector.
Economic Trends and Key Figures
Economic Overview
Sales and Employee Development (2016–2026):
| Year | Sales (NOK) | Annual Sales Change | Number of Employees | Annual Employee Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 238.7M | - | 1,000 | - |
| 2025 | 193.3M | -31.3% | 978 | +1.5% |
| 2026 | 281.4M | +45.5% | 1,072 | +9.6% |
The sector experienced a sharp sales decline in 2025, but a significant rebound in 2026. The number of employees decreased in 2020 (794) before stabilizing and growing in 2024–2026. EBITDA margins for the entire sector stand at 7%, with variations between 3–15% for individual companies.
Key Players and Organizational Structure
Companies in the Sector
Haugesund has 89 registered companies in the restaurant sector, with the following selected examples:
- Lothes Mat & Vinhus As (Strandgata 92): 58 employees, EBITDA 1.0M NOK, 3% margin
- Propylaia As (Strandgata 130): 45 employees, EBITDA 858.0K NOK, 3% margin
- Egon Haugesund As (Smedasundet 93): 37 employees, EBITDA 5.6M NOK, 15% margin
Most companies are AS entities (48 companies), with an average income per employee of 503,000 NOK. Several new companies have also been registered in 2024–2026, such as Kaigata 1 Bar As and Restaurant 77 As.
Distribution of Businesses in the Municipality
Business Geography
Haugesund is the only location in the municipality with registered restaurant businesses, with 48 companies and 1,177 employees. There is a clear concentration of restaurant activity in the city center and near important infrastructure points such as Smedasundet and Torggata. This indicates that tourism and the local population are important drivers for the sector.
Bankruptcy and Operational Efficiency
Business Dynamics and Bankruptcy Statistics
One bankruptcy has been recorded in the sector in 2026: Bytunetnattklubb As (Haraldsgata 169), with 0 employees and EBITDA -74.0K NOK. This indicates some vulnerability in the sector, particularly for small companies. However, there are no indications of a broad decline in bankruptcy rates, suggesting that most companies have stable financing.
Outlook for New Companies
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
The restaurant sector in Haugesund shows both opportunities and challenges. With growth in the number of employees and sales in 2026, as well as a relatively stable EBITDA margin (7–10%), it may be profitable to start a company. However, it is important to be aware of the large variations in operating results, as illustrated by examples such as Pressverket As (EBITDA -125.0K NOK) and Egon Haugesund As (EBITDA 5.6M NOK). SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs analyze location opportunities and market conditions in Haugesund.
Outlook for the Broader Industry (Restaurant/Café)
The broader industry restaurant/café has 117 companies in Haugesund, with higher sales (NOK 375.6M in 2024) and more employees (1,288 in 2026) compared to the restaurant sector. Examples of companies in this category not registered in the restaurant sector include:
- India Gate Indisk Restaurant & Bar As (Torggata 2): 27 employees, EBITDA 440.0K NOK, sales 27.0M NOK
- Sushi Haugesund As (Kirkegata 138): 15 employees, EBITDA 603.0K NOK, sales 11.7M NOK
- Carlos Kaffe As (Strandgata 70): 27 employees, EBITDA 401.0K NOK, sales 5.9M NOK
This category also includes cafés, takeaway, and sushi restaurants, showing a greater variation in business models compared to the restaurant sector.
Other companies in restaurant / kafé (not in restaurant)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holding Partner As | airport restaurant / cafe | Strandgata 130, 5527 Haugesund | NOK 1.5M | 1 | NOK 869.0K |
| T H Sushi As | sushi restaurant | Haraldsgata 80, 5528 Haugesund | NOK 4.7M | 11 | NOK 744.0K |
| Sushi Haugesund As | sushi restaurant | Kirkegata 138, 5527 Haugesund | NOK 11.7M | 15 | NOK 603.0K |
| Stuelands Abothek As | sushi restaurant | Strandgata 152, 5527 Haugesund | NOK 4.4M | 9 | NOK 487.0K |
| India Gate Indisk Restaurant & Bar As | asian restaurant | Torggata 2, 5525 Haugesund | NOK 27.0M | 14 | NOK 440.0K |
| Carlos Kaffe As | cafe | Strandgata 70, 5528 Haugesund | NOK 5.9M | 27 | NOK 401.0K |
| Pizzabakeren Gard | pizza delivery / takeaway | Nygårdsvegen 6, 5515 Haugesund | NOK 7.7M | 17 | NOK 399.2K |
| Espresso House Norge As Avd Haugesund 879 | coffeehouse | Haraldsgata 96, 5528 Haugesund | NOK 7.2M | 14 | NOK 359.4K |
| Bento Sushi As | sushi restaurant | Strandgata 150, 5527 Haugesund | NOK 13.4M | 17 | NOK 105.0K |
| The Irish Viking As | cafe | Torggata 4, 5525 Haugesund | NOK 4.8M | 10 | NOK 2.0K |
| Burger Gard As | pizza delivery / takeaway | Nygårdsvegen 6, 5515 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Byåsen Sushi As | sushi restaurant | c/o Bjørn Sverre Mørch|Aagot Poppe Jensens gate 20, 5533 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 10 | NOK 0 |
| Hos Carlos As | cafe | Haraldsgata 131, 5527 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 11 | NOK 0 |
| Kjøkken Og Kaffe Avd 2433 Amanda Storsenter | cafe | Longhammarvegen 27, 5536 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Level Mathuset As Avd Kafé | cafe | Haraldsgata 171, 5525 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 4 | NOK 0 |
| Moholt Sushi As | sushi restaurant | 2.|Aagot Poppe Jensens gate 20, 5533 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 15 | NOK 0 |
| Netwiset As | asian restaurant | Smedasundet 55, 5528 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 1 | NOK 0 |
| Oud As | cafe | Halvardstunet 7, 5515 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Sabrura Amanda As | sushi restaurant | Longhammarvegen 27, 5536 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 18 | NOK 0 |
| Sashimi Sushi Tran | sushi restaurant | Haraldsgata 90, 5528 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 1 | NOK 0 |
| Stjørdal Sushi As | sushi restaurant | Aagot Poppe Jensens gate 20, 5533 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 8 | NOK 0 |
| Strandgaten Pizza As | asian restaurant | Strandgata 138, 5527 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Studentkafeen Haugesund | cafe | Bjørnsons gate 45, 5528 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| T H Sushi Tran | sushi restaurant | Haraldsgata 80, 5528 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Sushi Bar Otta As | sushi restaurant | Haraldsgata 201, 5525 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -1.0K |
| Partner Invest As | airport restaurant / cafe | Smedasundet 91, 5527 Haugesund | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK -29.0K |
| Yummy Thai Food As | asian restaurant | Spannavegen 6C, 5521 Haugesund | NOK 1.5M | 4 | NOK -66.0K |
| Divisi As | burger restaurant | Skåregata 92, 5528 Haugesund | NOK 6.2M | 14 | NOK -139.0K |
Summary and Future Outlook
Conclusion
The restaurant sector in Haugesund has shown both strength and vulnerability over time, with a significant rebound in 2026 following a sharp decline in 2025. With 89 companies, 1,072 employees, and stable EBITDA margins, it is an attractive sector for entrepreneurs. However, it is important to be aware of the large variations in operating results and bankruptcy risk. SmartGrunder can help analyze location opportunities and market conditions in Haugesund for this sector.