The Restaurant Industry in Hemsedal: Current Status and Future Prospects

The restaurant industry in Hemsedal is an important part of the municipality's economy, with 15 companies registered in 2026. The industry has shown both strengths and challenges over the years, with a significant increase in sales and operating profit in 2022–2023, followed by a decline in 2024. Workforce development has been more unstable, with a decline of over 20% from 2024 to 2025, but an increase of 7% in 2026. EBITDA margins stand at 12% for the entire industry, indicating a relative strength in operating profit. New companies such as Døli As and Lodgen Spiseri As have been established, but they have yet to report activity. The industry has potential, but requires attention to operational economics and marketing in a competitive sector.

Sales Development (2016–2025):

• Sales experienced a significant increase from 2021 to 2022 (+83.9%), reaching a peak of NOK 120.7 million in 2023, followed by a decline of 10% in 2024 and a slight increase in 2025.
• In 2025, sales amounted to NOK 110.9 million, which is 13.5% higher than in 2019, but 10.7% lower than in 2023.

Workforce Development (2016–2026):

• Workforce decreased from 219 in 2016 to 115 in 2025, before increasing to 123 in 2026.
• The most significant decline was from 2024 to 2025 (-19.6%), while 2026 marked an increase of 7.0%.

Operating Profit and Margins:

• The industry-wide EBITDA margin in Hemsedal stood at 12% in 2025, with an average operating profit per employee of NOK 129.3 thousand.
• The most profitable companies had EBITDA margins up to 19% (Hemsedal Skirestauranter As) and 13% (Fjellkafeen As).

In 2026, there are 15 companies registered in the restaurant industry in Hemsedal, distributed across the following organizational forms:

• AS (10 companies): They dominate with 90 employees and a combined operating profit of NOK 12.4 million.
• ANS (1 company): Skigrillen Apartments Ans has no operating activity.
• New companies (2024–2026): Døli As, Lodgen Spiseri As, and Sunsets Hemsedal have been established, but have yet to report sales or operating profit.

Key companies:

• Holbeck As: Has an EBITDA margin of 13% and an operating profit per employee of NOK 143.3 thousand.
• Berg Og Hav Restaurang Og Catering As: Has a high sales growth of 10% in 2025 and an EBITDA margin of 5%.
• Kroken Hemsedal As: Has a low EBITDA margin of 1%, but a positive operating profit of NOK 54.0 thousand.

All companies in the restaurant industry in Hemsedal are registered in the municipality's main area. There is no spread to sub-areas or neighboring municipalities. The table below shows details for Hemsedal:

There is no data on distribution to specific neighborhoods or tourist areas in the municipality.

Bankruptcies and Financial Challenges:

• There are no formal bankruptcy registrations in the industry in 2026, but some companies have negative operating profits and high debt levels:
• Hemsedal Hyttedrift As: Has a negative EBITDA of NOK -3.4 million and debt of NOK 33.8 million.
• Kokkaholik As: Has an extreme sales growth of 11,364% in 2025, but no operating profit in 2026.

Operational Economics:

• The most profitable companies have EBITDA margins above 10%, while some companies have margins below 1%.
• The average gross profit is 76%, indicating a relative strength in cost control.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

The restaurant industry in Hemsedal shows both opportunities and challenges for new entrepreneurs:

• Opportunities:
• Larger companies such as Holbeck As and Fjellkafeen As have demonstrated profitability with EBITDA margins above 10%.
• There is potential to leverage the tourism industry in the municipality, especially in connection with ski resorts and natural attractions.
• Challenges:
• The sales levels in 2024 and 2025 indicate vulnerability in the industry, which may be due to vulnerability in the tourism sector.
• High debt levels among some companies (e.g., Hemsedal Hyttedrift As) indicate the need for caution in financing.
• Recommendation:
• Entrepreneurs should focus on cost control, differentiation of offerings, and collaboration with local tourist organizations to ensure stable income.

Outlook for Broader Category (Restaurant/Café)

Comparison with Parent Category:

• The parent category (restaurant/café) has 17 companies in Hemsedal, of which 15 are in the restaurant industry and 2 in the café industry (Dinkys Printz and Hellström Gastronomi).
• Peer companies in the café industry:
• Dinkys Printz and Hellström Gastronomi have no operating profit or sales in 2026, indicating potential vulnerability in the café industry.
• Comparison with the restaurant industry:
• The restaurant industry has higher sales (NOK 110.9 million in 2025) and better EBITDA margins (12%) compared to the café industry (0% EBITDA margin).
• Conclusion:
• The restaurant industry in Hemsedal has better economic results than the café industry, but should follow the development in the parent category to identify trends in the tourism sector.

The restaurant industry in Hemsedal has shown potential for growth and profitability, especially during periods of high tourist activity. Although there have been challenges with sales levels and financial challenges for some companies, there are opportunities for new entrepreneurs wishing to establish themselves in a competitive sector. It is important to focus on operational economics, differentiation of offerings, and collaboration with local stakeholders to ensure stability. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations and analyze market conditions in the municipality.