← restaurant

Industry · municipality

The Restaurant Industry in Lillehammer: Current Status and Future Prospects

Published 22.09.2026

A Detailed Analysis of Businesses, Economic Trends, and Development Opportunities

Executive Summary

Lillehammer has a thriving restaurant industry with 49 registered companies and over 676 employees. The industry has shown stable economic development in recent years, with an EBITDA margin of 8% and a high gross profit of 69%. The broad category restaurant / café in the municipality has 64 companies, showing that the restaurant industry is an important part of the local economy. SmartGrunder can help founders find suitable addresses in Lillehammer for this industry.

Economic Overview

Economic Trends

  • Annual Revenue: NOK 223.6 million in 2024, with a decrease of 13.2% from 2025 to 2026.
  • Number of Employees: 639 in 2026, with an increase of 10.4% compared to 2025.
  • EBITDA: NOK 20.5 million in 2024, with a margin of 8%.
  • Gross Profit: 69%, showing effective cost management.

Economic Development Over Time

  • Annual Revenue: Highest in 2022 (NOK 212.4 million), with a decrease of 13.2% in 2025.
  • Number of Employees: Lowest in 2021 (396), but increased by 17.6% from 2022 to 2023.
  • EBITDA: Highest in 2022 (NOK 20.5 million), with a decrease of 13.2% in 2025.
Sales over time — restaurant — Lillehammer
Sales over time — restaurant
Number of companies — restaurant — Lillehammer
Number of companies — restaurant
Employees over time — restaurant — Lillehammer
Employees over time — restaurant

Companies in the Industry

  • Paa Bordet As: 111 employees, NOK 26.6 million in revenue, EBITDA margin of 16%.
  • Nikkers As: 103 employees, NOK 29.6 million in revenue, EBITDA margin of 9%.
  • Heim Lillehammer As: 73 employees, NOK 28.4 million in revenue, EBITDA margin of 18%.
  • Frich's Spiseri Maihaugen As: 42 employees, NOK 10.7 million in revenue, EBITDA margin of -10%.
  • Kagal As: 42 employees, NOK 0 in revenue, EBITDA margin of 0%.

Organizational Forms

  • AS: 28 companies, 668 employees, NOK 229.1 million in revenue.
  • Enk: 1 company, 8 employees, NOK 0 in revenue.

Bankruptcy Statistics

  • No companies in the industry are registered as bankrupt in the municipality.
Employees by organisation form — restaurant — Lillehammer
Employees by organisation form — restaurant

Geographical Distribution

  • Lillehammer: 29 companies, 676 employees, NOK 229.1 million in revenue, NOK 223.6 million in sales revenue, NOK 86.4 million in wages, NOK 14.9 million in operating profit, NOK 20.5 million in EBITDA, NOK 154.8 million in gross profit, NOK 32.4 million in equity, NOK 66.7 million in debt.

Geographical Development

  • Lillehammer is the only place in the municipality with activity in the restaurant industry. There is no data on activity in other districts or cities in the municipality.
Companies by place — restaurant — Lillehammer
Companies by place — restaurant

Business Dynamics

  • Bankruptcy Statistics: No companies in the industry are registered as bankrupt in the municipality.
  • Operating Results: Some companies have negative EBITDA, such as Frich's Spiseri Maihaugen As (NOK -1.2 million) and Lillehammer Pizzeria Og Ristaurante As (NOK -521,000).
  • Revenue Growth: Highest growth in 2024 (31%) for Lillehammer Pizzeria Og Ristaurante As, but a decrease of 13.2% in 2025.
  • Operating Profit: Highest for Heim Lillehammer As (NOK 4.6 million) and lowest for Frich's Spiseri Maihaugen As (NOK -1.2 million).

Outlook

Outlook for Founders

  • Stable Market: The restaurant industry in Lillehammer has shown stable economic development in recent years, with an EBITDA margin of 8% and a high gross profit of 69%.
  • Competitive Businesses: There are several businesses with high revenues and EBITDA margins, such as Paa Bordet As and Heim Lillehammer As.
  • Opportunities for New Businesses: There are opportunities for new businesses in the industry, but there are also challenges such as negative EBITDA for some companies and a decrease in revenues in 2025.
  • SmartGrunder: SmartGrunder can help founders find suitable addresses in Lillehammer for this industry.

Outlook for the Broad Category

Outlook for the Broad Category Restaurant / Café

  • Number of Companies: 64 companies in the municipality, showing that the restaurant industry is an important part of the broad category.
  • Annual Revenue: NOK 269.4 million in 2025, with a decrease of 9.2% compared to 2024.
  • Number of Employees: 841 in 2026, with an increase of 8.8% compared to 2025.
  • EBITDA: NOK 269.4 million in 2025, with a decrease of 9.2% compared to 2024.

Peer Companies

  • Japan Sushi As: NOK 12.5 million in revenue, 13 employees, EBITDA of NOK 3.2 million.
  • Peppes Pizza Avd 28 Lillehammer: NOK 17.8 million in revenue, 35 employees, EBITDA of NOK 1.7 million.
  • Peppes Pizza Avd 32 Strandtorget Lillehammer: NOK 13.2 million in revenue, 32 employees, EBITDA of NOK 1.2 million.
  • Ming Restaurant As: NOK 6.6 million in revenue, 6 employees, EBITDA of NOK 873,000.
  • Parkcafeen As: NOK 11.7 million in revenue, 28 employees, EBITDA of NOK 786,000.

Conclusion

  • The restaurant industry has a higher EBITDA margin (8%) compared to the broad category restaurant / café (1.0% in 2025). There are opportunities for new businesses in the industry, but there are also challenges such as negative EBITDA for some companies and a decrease in revenues in 2025.
Sales in the parent industry — restaurant / kafé — Lillehammer
Sales in the parent industry — restaurant / kafé
Companies in the parent industry — restaurant / kafé — Lillehammer
Companies in the parent industry — restaurant / kafé
Employees in the parent industry — restaurant / kafé — Lillehammer
Employees in the parent industry — restaurant / kafé

Other companies in restaurant / kafé (not in restaurant)

CompanyIndustryAddressSalesEmployeesEBITDA
Japan Sushi Assushi restaurantKirkegata 66, 2609 LillehammerNOK 12.5M13NOK 3.2M
Peppes Pizza Avd 28 Lillehammerpizza restaurantStorgata 69, 2609 LillehammerNOK 17.8M35NOK 1.7M
Peppes Pizza Avd 32 Strandtorget Lillehammerpizza restaurantStrandpromenaden 85, 2609 LillehammerNOK 13.2M32NOK 1.2M
Ming Restaurant AscafeStorgata 130, 2615 LillehammerNOK 6.6M6NOK 873.0K
Parkcafeen AscafeStorgata 26, 2609 LillehammerNOK 11.7M28NOK 786.0K
No9 Kafé AscafeJernbanegata 9, 2609 LillehammerNOK 5.6M12NOK 708.0K
Espresso House Norge As Avd Lillehammer 860coffeehouseStorgata 55, 2609 LillehammerNOK 5.6M9NOK 282.4K
D Coffee As Avd 6122 StrandtorgetcoffeehouseStrandpromenaden 85, 2609 LillehammerNOK 9.2M16NOK 21.9K
Daisuki Sushi Lillehammer Assushi restaurantc/o AdLaR AS|Stortorget 1, 2609 LillehammerNOK 00NOK 0
Dp Lillehammerpizza delivery / takeawayBrubakken 10, 2615 LillehammerNOK 027NOK 0
Kammerset AscafeElvefaret 12, 2625 FåbergNOK 00NOK 0
Lillehammer Sushi Assushi restaurantStorgata 45A, 2609 LillehammerNOK 014NOK 0
Sabrura Strandtorget Assushi restaurantStrandpromenaden 85, 2609 LillehammerNOK 015NOK 0
Verdensmester Assushi restaurantStorgata 48, 2609 LillehammerNOK 09NOK 0
Øverlies Kafe Zeki CataltepecafeStorgata 50, 2609 LillehammerNOK 01NOK 0

Conclusion

The restaurant industry in Lillehammer has shown stable economic development in recent years, with an EBITDA margin of 8% and a high gross profit of 69%. There are opportunities for new businesses in the industry, but there are also challenges such as negative EBITDA for some companies and a decrease in revenues in 2025. The broad category restaurant / café has 64 companies in the municipality, showing that the restaurant industry is an important part of the local economy. SmartGrunder can help founders find suitable addresses in Lillehammer for this industry.