Industry · municipality
The Restaurant Industry in Hjelmeland: Current Situation and Future Opportunities
Analysis of Companies, Statistics, and Opportunities for Entrepreneurs and Local Decision-Makers in Hjelmeland
Executive Summary
Overview of the Restaurant Industry in Hjelmeland
The restaurant industry in Hjelmeland consists of 6 registered companies in the municipality, distributed across two geographical areas: Hjelmeland and Årdal I Ryfylke. Most companies are organized as AS (2 companies) or ANS/ENK (4 companies). Employment development has been uneven, with a peak of 31 employees in 2024, but a decline to 21 employees in 2026. Sales data is sparse, but shows an increase from 2020 to 2021, followed by a decline in 2020 and an increase in 2024. The industry has no registered bankruptcies, indicating a stable industry, although some companies operate with zero employees.
Economic Overview
Sales Development (2016–2021):
- 2016: NOK 0
- 2017: NOK 0
- 2018: NOK 0
- 2019: NOK 3.5 million
- 2020: NOK 2.4 million
- 2021: NOK 3.1 million
Employment Development (2016–2026):
- 2016: 1 employee
- 2017: 0 employees
- 2018: 0 employees
- 2019: 3 employees
- 2020: 10 employees
- 2021: 22 employees
- 2022: 21 employees
- 2023: 18 employees
- 2024: 31 employees
- 2025: 26 employees
- 2026: 21 employees
Sales data shows an increase from 2019 to 2021, but a decline in 2020. Employment development has been more volatile, with an increase of 233% from 2019 to 2020 and a decline of 19% from 2025 to 2026. There is no publicly available data on operating results or EBITDA for companies in the industry.



Companies in the Industry
Registered Companies in Hjelmeland (2023):
| Name | Address | Organizational Form | Employees | Bankruptcies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryfylke Bakeri Og Konditori Årdal As | Ryfylkevegen 5391, Årdal I Ryfylke | AS | 13 | No bankruptcy |
| Smaken Av Ryfylke As | Vågavegen 44, Hjelmeland | AS | 13 | No bankruptcy |
| Hjelmen Drøseri Ans | Sande, Hjelmeland | ANS | 0 | No bankruptcy |
| Sebastian S Holding As | Nesvegen 104, Fister | AS | 0 | No bankruptcy |
| Skabelonen Eldfinn Austigard | Ryfylkevegen 5359, Årdal I Ryfylke | ENK | 0 | No bankruptcy |
| Skabelonen Eldfinn Austigard | Ryfylkevegen 5359, Årdal I Ryfylke | ENK | 0 | No bankruptcy |
Most companies are organized as AS (2 companies) or ANS/ENK (4 companies). Two of the companies have 13 employees, while the rest have 0 employees. There are no registered bankruptcies in the industry.
Geographical Distribution
Activity Distributed Across Locations in the Municipality:
| Location | Number of Companies | Number of Employees | Sales (NOK) | Operating Income (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hjelmeland | 2 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Årdal I Ryfylke | 2 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
The industry is distributed across two geographical areas in the municipality: Hjelmeland and Årdal I Ryfylke. Both areas have 2 companies and 13 employees, but there is no publicly available data on sales or operating income for these companies.

Business Dynamics
Bankruptcy Statistics:
- Bankruptcies in the Industry: 0 companies have been in bankruptcy in the municipality.
- Bankruptcies in the Parent Category (Restaurant/Café): 0 companies have been in bankruptcy.
The industry has no registered bankruptcies, indicating a stable industry. However, employment data shows that some companies operate with 0 employees, which may indicate closures or new company origins. There is no publicly available data on operating results or EBITDA for companies in the industry.
Outlook
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
The restaurant industry in Hjelmeland shows a mix of stability and uncertainty. Sales data shows an increase from 2019 to 2021, followed by a decline in 2020 and an increase in 2024. Employment development has been more volatile, with an increase of 233% from 2019 to 2020 and a decline of 19% from 2025 to 2026. There are no registered bankruptcies, indicating a stable industry, although some companies operate with 0 employees. Entrepreneurs should consider local market conditions, competition, and economic factors before seeking to establish themselves in the industry.
Outlook for the Parent Category
Outlook for the Parent Category (Restaurant/Café)
Parent Category (Restaurant/Café) in Hjelmeland:
- Number of Companies: 7
- Number of Employees (2026): 21
- Sales (2021): NOK 3.1 million
The parent category has more companies (7) than the leaf industry (6), and shows a more stable sales development. For example, sales in the parent category increased by 17% from 2020 to 2021, while sales in the leaf industry increased by 29.8% during the same period. One of the key peer companies in the parent category is Pizzabakeren Hjelmeland, which operates in pizza delivery and takeaway. This company has 0 employees and 0 sales, which may indicate a new establishment or closure.



Other companies in restaurant / kafé (not in restaurant)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pizzabakeren Hjelmeland | pizza delivery / takeaway | Sandetorjå senter|Vågavegen 4, 4130 Hjelmeland | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
Conclusion
The restaurant industry in Hjelmeland shows a mix of stability and uncertainty. With 6 registered companies and 21 employees in 2026, as well as no registered bankruptcies, data indicates a stable industry. However, employment data and sales development show that the industry has been affected by economic factors and competition. Entrepreneurs should consider local market conditions and competition before seeking to establish themselves in the industry. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in the municipality for this industry.