Industry · municipality
The Restaurant Industry in Målselv: Current Status and Future Outlook
A Detailed Analysis of Companies, Economics, and Development Trends
Executive Summary
The restaurant industry in Målselv is an important part of the local economy, with 13 registered companies in the municipality. In recent years, the industry has been marked by fluctuations in both sales and number of employees, with a significant decline in 2020 and a gradual increase since. The broader category restaurant / café has more companies (18) and shows somewhat more stable development trends. For entrepreneurs and local decision-makers, it is important to note both the opportunities and challenges in this industry, especially in relation to competition and economic fluctuations.
Economic Overview
Sales and Employees in the Restaurant Industry
- Sales (2025): NOK 12.6 million (+16.3% increase from 2024)
- Number of Employees (2026): 50 (+2.0% increase from 2025)
Development Trends
- Sales experienced a sharp decline of -36.8% in 2020, but have since grown by +16.3% in 2025.
- The number of employees has been unstable, with a maximum of 148 in 2017 and a minimum of 49 in 2025.
- Economic fluctuations have been evident, especially during the pandemic and in the following years.
Companies in the Industry
Registered Companies in the Restaurant Industry
| Company | Location | Legal Form | Employees | Sales (2025) | EBITDA (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jokern As | Bardufoss | AS | 26 | NOK 12.9M | NOK 1.5M |
| Auroras Hall As | Bardufoss | AS | 9 | NOK 3.0K | NOK -81.0K |
| Milano Målselv As | Bardufoss | AS | 2 | NOK 4.5M | NOK 220.0K |
| Lhl Målselv | Bardufoss | FLI | 0 | NOK 90.0K | NOK 12.0K |
Legal Forms
- AS (Stock Company): 6 companies, 52 employees, NOK 17.4M in operating income
- FLI (Tax Exempt): 1 company, 0 employees, NOK 90.0K in sales
- ENK (Sole Proprietorship): 1 company, 0 employees, NOK 0 in sales
Business Geography
Distribution of Activity in the Municipality
- Bardufoss:
- Number of Companies: 13
- Number of Employees: 52
- Operating Income: NOK 17.4M
- Sales: NOK 17.4M
- Average Operating Income per Employee: NOK 678.0K
- EBITDA Margin: 5%
Bardufoss is the only location in Målselv with activity in the restaurant industry. There is a clear concentration of companies and employees in this area, which may indicate a central role for Bardufoss as an economic hub in the municipality.
Business Dynamics
Bankruptcies and Company Dynamics
- Number of Bankrupt Companies: 0 (all companies are in operation)
- Largest Companies: Jokern As (NOK 12.9M in sales) and Milano Målselv As (NOK 4.5M in sales)
- Smaller Companies: Several companies have 0 employees and 0 sales, such as Sovion Group As and Nordlys Bardufoss As
The industry shows a certain degree of instability, with companies that have very low or no operating results. This may indicate challenges related to competition and economic fluctuations, especially in small companies.
Outlook
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
For entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry in Målselv, the following points are important:
- Stable Number of Companies: Although the number of employees has fluctuated, there are 13 companies in the industry, indicating a certain level of stability.
- Growth in 2025: Sales experienced a significant increase of +16.3% in 2025, which may indicate an increase in demand for restaurants and cafés.
- Competitiveness: There are more companies in the broader category restaurant / café (18 companies), which may provide entrepreneurs with opportunities to differentiate themselves through specialization or unique offerings.
- Local Opportunities: Bardufoss is the only location with activity, which may provide entrepreneurs with opportunities to establish themselves in a central area with existing infrastructure.
Outlook for Broader Category
Comparison with Broader Category
The broader category restaurant / café has the following development:
- Sales (2025): NOK 32.3M (+107.7% increase from 2024)
- Number of Employees (2026): 106 (+26.2% increase from 2025)
Peer Companies in the restaurant / café Category
| Company | Location | Sales (2025) | EBITDA (2025) | Employees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Select Service Partner As Avd Bardufoss Lufthavn | Bardufoss Lufthavn | NOK 8.6M | NOK 763.3K | 9 |
| Polarbadet As Avd Kafe | Rustadhøgda | NOK 8.0M | NOK 441.0K | 32 |
| Kaffemøya As | Torgsenteret | NOK 5.3M | NOK 98.0K | 15 |
The broader category shows stronger growth in 2025 compared to the restaurant industry, which may indicate that cafés and airport restaurants have a more stable or growing demand in the municipality.
Other companies in restaurant / kafé (not in restaurant)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Select Service Partner As Avd Bardufoss Lufthavn | airport restaurant / cafe | Bardufoss Lufthavn|Flyplassveien, 9325 | NOK 8.6M | 9 | NOK 763.3K |
| Polarbadet As Avd Kafe | cafe | Rustadhøgda, 9325 Bardufoss | NOK 8.0M | 32 | NOK 441.0K |
| Kaffemøya As | coffeehouse | Torgsenteret, 9325 Bardufoss | NOK 5.3M | 15 | NOK 98.0K |
| Bygården Kafé As | cafe | Nerveien 35, 9325 Bardufoss | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Moskan As | cafe | Torget 6A, 9325 Bardufoss | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
Conclusion
The restaurant industry in Målselv shows both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and local decision-makers. With 13 companies and growth in sales in 2025, the industry can be an attractive sector for investments. At the same time, it is important to be aware of the unstable development in the number of employees and the fluctuating economic results shown in the data. The broader category restaurant / café shows stronger growth, which may provide entrepreneurs with opportunities to establish themselves in this sector. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and locations in Målselv for restaurant operations.