The Restaurant Industry in Hvaler

Overview of the Restaurant Industry in Hvaler

The restaurant industry in Hvaler is an important part of the local economy, with 12 registered companies in the municipality. Most companies are organized as AS (5 companies) or ENK (1 company). Skjærhalden is the most active area with 5 companies and 137 employees, while Vesterøy has one company with 20 employees. The industry has experienced both growth and decline in recent years, with a significant drop in sales and number of employees in 2025. This is due in part to challenges in recent years, but there is also potential for growth in areas such as Skjærhalden.

Sales and Employees in the Restaurant Industry in Hvaler (2016–2026):

Sales declined significantly by 49.1% in 2025 compared to 2024, while the number of employees decreased by 23.4% in the same year. There is a clear trend of variations in sales and employees over time, with strong growth in 2020 and 2021, but a sharp decline in 2025. This may be due to external factors such as the pandemic or local challenges in the industry.

In Hvaler, there are 12 registered companies in the restaurant industry. Most are organized as AS (5 companies), while there is one ENK company. Key players include:

• Cafecompagniet As (Torvet 6, Skjærhalden): 63 employees, 13.0M in sales, 813.0K in operating profit.
• Losen Hvaler As (Torvet 12, Skjærhalden): 29 employees, 0 in sales and operating profit.
• Sand Bar Og Restaurant As (Grønnetkilen 2, Vesterøy): 20 employees, 5.4M in sales, but -656.0K in operating profit.

There are also companies such as Cardio As and Førstereis As with negative EBITDA, showing variations in financial health among the companies.

The restaurant industry in Hvaler is most active in Skjærhalden, where there are 5 companies and 137 employees. Here, sales are 22.9M and operating profit is 243.0K. Vesterøy has one company (Sand Bar Og Restaurant As) with 20 employees, but operating profit is negative (-656.0K). Skjærhalden has a higher average operating profit per employee (396.6K) compared to Vesterøy (564.5K), but with a lower EBITDA margin (3% vs. -10%). This shows that Skjærhalden has a more stable business, while Vesterøy faces greater challenges.

There are no registered bankruptcies in the restaurant industry in Hvaler, but there are companies with negative EBITDA, such as Sand Bar Og Restaurant As (-575.0K) and Cardio As (-460.0K). This shows that some companies face financial challenges, even though they are not bankrupt. There are also companies such as Losen Hvaler As and Strandveien 8 As with 0 in sales and operating profit, which may indicate closure or previous activity. It is important to monitor these companies to see if they have improved their financial health over time.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs in the Restaurant Industry in Hvaler

Outlook for new entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry in Hvaler is mixed. On one hand, the industry has experienced a significant decline in sales and number of employees in 2025, which can be a challenge. On the other hand, there is potential in Skjærhalden, where there are more companies and a more stable business. There are also opportunities to develop in a competitive manner, especially if one can adapt to local needs and market conditions. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and develop strategies to ensure success in this industry.

Outlook for Broader Category (Restaurant / Café)

The broader category restaurant / café in Hvaler has 13 companies, showing that there are more companies in this category than in the specific restaurant industry. Sales and number of employees have similar trends as in the restaurant industry, but there is also a company in the café sector, such as Phosri Thaimat As (sushi restaurant), which is not included in the specific restaurant industry. This shows that there are opportunities to develop in the café and sushi sectors, which may be less competitive than the restaurant industry. It is important to compare these companies to see which sectors have the greatest potential.

The restaurant industry in Hvaler has both opportunities and challenges. There is a stable business in Skjærhalden, but there are also companies with negative EBITDA and declines in sales and number of employees. There are opportunities for new entrepreneurs, especially if they can adapt to local needs and market conditions. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and develop strategies to ensure success in this industry. It is also important to monitor the development in the broader category restaurant / café to see which sectors have the greatest potential.