The Restaurant Industry in Luster

Luster has a moderately active restaurant sector with 11 registered companies in the municipality. In recent years, the industry has shown variation in both sales and number of employees, with a significant sales increase of 13.1% from 2024 to 2025. Hafslo remains an important hub for restaurant activity, with an actively operating company (Lustraporten AS) contributing NOK 6.9 million in sales and 19 employees. Gaupne and other areas have less activity, with companies such as Kafe Pyramiden AS yet to report operating results. The sector has a mix of organizational forms, with AS being the most common, and shows potential for growth in the future, particularly in Hafslo.

Sales and Employee Development:

• Sales: From 2016 to 2025, sales in Luster's restaurant sector grew from NOK 4.7 million to NOK 7.1 million, with an average annual growth of 3.5%. The most significant increase was recorded from 2020 to 2021 (9.0%), while a decline of 9.1% was recorded from 2020 to 2021. In 2025, a 13.1% increase was recorded, indicating an upward trend.

• Employees: The number of employees grew from 38 in 2016 to 23 in 2026, with a growth of 76.9% from 2025 to 2026. There have been large variations, with a decline of 46.7% from 2018 to 2019 and an increase of 25% from 2020 to 2021. In 2026, there are 23 employees, indicating stabilization after a period of decline.

Short Summary: The sector has shown general sales growth, but with variations in the number of employees. There is a clear trend of increasing employees in recent years, which may indicate improved operational economics.

In Luster, 11 companies are registered in the restaurant industry. The most relevant companies are:

Organizational Forms: Most companies are registered as AS (2 companies), with a total number of employees of 31. There are also companies registered as ENK and FLI, but these have no operating results.

Important Observations: Lustraporten AS is the most active company, with high sales volume and operating results. Kafe Pyramiden AS and other companies have yet to report operating results, which may indicate a new start or an early phase in the operational period.

In Luster, restaurant activity is distributed across several areas, with Hafslo and Gaupne being the most relevant:

Hafslo:

• Number of companies: 1
• Number of employees: 19
• Sales: NOK 6.9 million
• Operating result: NOK 725,000
• EBITDA: NOK 743,000
• Average income per employee: NOK 903,500
• EBITDA margin: 9%
• Average EBITDA per employee: NOK 84,600

Gaupne:

• Number of companies: 1
• Number of employees: 12
• Sales: NOK 0
• Operating result: NOK 0
• EBITDA: NOK 0
• Average income per employee: NOK 0
• EBITDA margin: 0%
• Average EBITDA per employee: NOK 0

Conclusion: Hafslo remains an important hub for restaurant activity, with an actively operating company. Gaupne has yet to report operating results, which may indicate an early phase in the business or a lack of activity.

Bankruptcies and Operating Results:

• Bankruptcies: There are no registered bankruptcies in the restaurant sector in Luster, indicating a stable operational economy.

• Operating Results: Most companies have positive operating results, with Lustraporten AS being the most active company. Kafe Pyramiden AS and other companies have yet to report operating results, which may indicate a new start or an early phase in the operational period.

Conclusion: The sector has shown a stable operational economy, with no registered bankruptcies. There is a clear trend of increasing employees and sales, which may indicate an improved operational economy.

For entrepreneurs considering starting a restaurant in Luster, there are several positive signals:

• Stable Sales: Sales have grown by 13.1% from 2024 to 2025, indicating an upward trend.

• Stable Operational Economy: There are no registered bankruptcies, and most companies have positive operating results.

• Hafslo as an Important Hub: Hafslo remains an important hub for restaurant activity, with an actively operating company (Lustraporten AS) that can provide inspiration and opportunities for collaboration.

• Growth Potential: There is a clear trend of increasing employees and sales, which may indicate an improved operational economy.

Conclusion: Luster has growth potential in the restaurant sector, particularly in Hafslo. There is a stable operational economy, and opportunities exist to start a new restaurant in the municipality.

Outlook for Broader Industry (Restaurant / Café)

Comparison with Broader Industry:

• Number of Companies: Broader industry (restaurant / café) has 14 companies, while the restaurant sector has 11 companies. This indicates that there are more companies in the café industry in Luster.

• Sales: Sales have grown by 13.1% from 2024 to 2025, indicating an upward trend in both the restaurant and café industries.

• Employees: The number of employees has grown from 40 in 2016 to 23 in 2026, with a growth of 76.9% from 2025 to 2026. There is a clear trend of increasing employees in recent years, which may indicate an improved operational economy.

Peer Companies in Broader Industry:

Conclusion: Broader industry (restaurant / café) has more companies and shows stable growth in sales and number of employees. There are opportunities to start a new café in Luster, particularly in areas with less activity.

Luster has a moderately active restaurant sector with 11 registered companies. In recent years, the industry has shown variation in both sales and number of employees, with a significant sales increase of 13.1% from 2024 to 2025. Hafslo remains an important hub for restaurant activity, with an actively operating company (Lustraporten AS) contributing NOK 6.9 million in sales and 19 employees. Gaupne and other areas have less activity, with companies such as Kafe Pyramiden AS yet to report operating results. The sector has a mix of organizational forms, with AS being the most common, and shows potential for growth in the future, particularly in Hafslo. For entrepreneurs, there are opportunities to start a new restaurant in Luster, particularly in areas with less activity.