The Restaurant Industry in Herøy: Current Status and Future Prospects

The restaurant industry in Herøy has shown both strengths and challenges over the past few years. With 15 registered businesses and an increase in employees from 35 in 2016 to 121 in 2026, the data shows significant development. Sales statistics show a sharp increase in 2021, followed by a decline in 2025. The industry is spread across several neighborhoods, with Tjørvåg and Herøy as central areas. At the same time, the bankruptcy statistics show that no businesses in the industry have gone bankrupt, indicating a stable industry. For entrepreneurs, there may be opportunities in a growing sector, but it is important to be aware of the fluctuating sales figures and competition from both local and regional players.

The economic development of the restaurant industry in Herøy shows a complex wave pattern. Sales figures increased by 63.7% from 2016 to 2017, but later experienced a decline of 33.9% from 2024 to 2025. The number of employees has grown significantly, with an increase of 18.6% from 2025 to 2026. The most significant sales increase was recorded in 2021, with a rise of 28.2%, while the same year also had the highest number of employees in the industry. The most dramatic sales decline was recorded in 2025, which may be due to external factors such as the pandemic or changes in consumer behavior.

In Herøy, the restaurant industry is represented by 15 businesses, distributed across various organizational forms. The most common forms are AS (8 companies) and ENK (1 company). Among the well-known businesses, we find Opplev Runde As in Runde, which has 24 employees, and Lanternen As in Tjørvåg, which has a positive EBITDA of 447,000 NOK. There is also a number of smaller businesses, such as Fosnavåg Pizza As and Cleo Lunchbar Ans, which operate with fewer employees or no employees. The bankruptcy statistics show that none of the businesses in the industry have gone bankrupt, indicating a stable industry.

The restaurant industry in Herøy is distributed across several neighborhoods, with varying levels of activity. Fosnavåg has 5 businesses and 68 employees, but no operational income or sales. Herøy has 2 businesses and 30 employees, with a negative EBITDA of -772,000 NOK. Runde has 1 business with 24 employees, but no operational income. Tjørvåg has 1 business with 17 employees and a positive operational income of 6.1 million NOK. The most profitable business is Lanternen As in Tjørvåg, which has an EBITDA margin of 7% and a positive operational income.

The industry has shown itself to be relatively stable in terms of bankruptcy. None of the 15 businesses have gone bankrupt, indicating good financing and operations. However, some businesses show negative financial figures, such as Kami Skotholmen As, which has a negative equity of -680,000 NOK and a sales decline of 92%. This shows that even though bankruptcy is not a major challenge, some businesses may have difficulty maintaining profitability. There is also a number of businesses operating without employees or with a low number of employees, which may indicate a dispersed structure in the industry.

For entrepreneurs in Herøy, the restaurant industry can offer opportunities, especially in areas such as Tjørvåg and Herøy, where there is a visual strength in the businesses. The growing number of employees (from 35 in 2016 to 121 in 2026) shows a positive trend, and there are opportunities to develop new businesses in a stable industry. However, entrepreneurs should be aware of the fluctuating sales figures, especially the sharp decline in 2025. It may be advantageous to carefully analyze competitors, such as Lanternen As and Fosnavåg Gatekjøkken As, and develop a unique offer package. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations in Herøy for restaurant businesses.

When comparing the restaurant industry to the broader category of restaurant/café in Herøy, the data shows that the latter has more businesses (20) than the restaurant sector (15). Sales figures for cafés and restaurants show a slightly different development, with a higher sales total in 2021 (14.4 million NOK) compared to the restaurant industry (14.2 million NOK). There is also a number of peer businesses in the café and restaurant sector, such as Eide Mat Og Service and Jmr Takeaway Catering Soriano, which can provide insight into the competition. This shows that the restaurant industry is part of a larger sector, and entrepreneurs should be aware of both local and regional players.

The restaurant industry in Herøy shows a mix of stability and development. With a growing number of employees and a good distribution of businesses across different neighborhoods, there are opportunities for new entrepreneurs. However, attention should be paid to the fluctuating sales figures and competition from both local and regional players. It is also important to analyze financial figures and develop a unique offer package. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations in Herøy for restaurant businesses.