Industry · municipality
The Restaurant Industry in Marker: Current Situation and Future Opportunities
An analysis of companies, statistics, and opportunities for entrepreneurs and local actors in the Marker municipality
Brief overview of the restaurant industry in Marker
The restaurant industry in Marker has proven to be a stable but dynamic sector with clear variations in operations. In 2025, four companies are registered in the municipality, with a total payroll cost of 7.6 million NOK and a combined operating income of 18.0 million NOK. The most significant operation is Sluseporten AS, which operates with 68 employees and generates 18.0 million NOK in sales revenue. At the same time, two new companies were registered in 2025, indicating a certain level of interest in the sector. However, there are also companies operating with zero income, which may indicate challenges for new entrants.
Economic overview
Sales development
From 2016 to 2025, sales revenue for restaurant operations in Marker has increased by 234%, from 5.3 million NOK to 17.5 million NOK. The most significant increase occurred from 2021 to 2022, with a rise of 31.1%. In 2025, there was an increase of 15.8% compared to 2024, showing continuous growth in sales revenue.
Number of employees
Employees in the sector have shown a more uneven development. The highest number of employees (71) was registered in 2026, while the lowest (26) was registered in 2021. There is a significant increase from 2024 to 2026, with a rise of 29.1% from 2025 to 2026. This indicates an increasing need for labor in the sector, especially after 2024.
Companies in the industry
Registered companies
In Marker, the following companies are registered in the restaurant sector:
| Name | Address | Legal form | Employees | Operating income (NOK) | Sales revenue (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sluseporten AS | Storgata 14, Ørje | AS | 68 | 18,0M | 18,0M |
| Taste Of Thai By Charini AS | Øyenstikkern 3, Ørje | AS | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Butts Tandoori Og Fastfood AS | Trollsundveien 7, Ørje | AS | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Sooterud Berit Mårud | Mårudkroken 10, Ørje | ENK | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Legal forms
Most companies in the sector are registered as AS (3 companies), while one company is registered as ENK (Sooterud Berit Mårud). There are no companies registered as ANS or A/S in the municipality.
Geographic distribution of business
Distribution of business
All registered companies in the restaurant sector in Marker are located in Ørje. Here, 3 companies are registered with a total of 82 employees and a combined operating income of 18.0 million NOK. Ørje is therefore the only place in the municipality with active restaurant operations. This can be an important advantage for new entrants wishing to establish themselves in the municipality, but it may also indicate a concentration of business in a single part of the municipality.
Business dynamics and bankruptcy statistics
Bankruptcies and business dynamics
None of the registered companies in the restaurant sector in Marker are registered as bankrupt. This indicates a relatively stable sector, even though there are companies operating with zero income (such as Taste Of Thai By Charini AS and Butts Tandoori Og Fastfood AS). There are also companies that have been in operation since 1995 (Sooterud Berit Mårud), showing that some businesses have been stable over time. At the same time, there has been a significant increase in the number of employees from 2024 to 2026, which may indicate an increasing need for labor in the sector.
Outlook for entrepreneurs and local actors
Future opportunities
Based on the available data, the restaurant industry in Marker shows positive development both in sales revenue and number of employees. The most significant growth occurred from 2021 to 2022, and there is still continuous growth in sales revenue. This may indicate increasing demand for restaurant operations in the municipality. At the same time, there has been a significant increase in the number of employees from 2024 to 2026, which may indicate an increasing need for labor in the sector.
However, there are also challenges to consider. For example, two of the registered companies operate with zero income, which may indicate challenges for new entrants to establish themselves in the sector. There is also a concentration of business in Ørje, which may be an advantage for new entrants but also a challenge in the form of bankruptcy.
For entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the restaurant sector in Marker, it may be advantageous to consider locating in Ørje, where existing businesses are already established. At the same time, it may be important to be aware of the bankruptcy risk, even though no bankruptcies have been registered in the sector.
Conclusion
The restaurant industry in Marker proves to be a stable but dynamic sector with clear variations in operations. Four companies are registered in the municipality, with a total payroll cost of 7.6 million NOK and a combined operating income of 18.0 million NOK. The most significant operation is Sluseporten AS, which operates with 68 employees and generates 18.0 million NOK in sales revenue. At the same time, two new companies were registered in 2025, indicating a certain level of interest in the sector. However, there are also companies operating with zero income, which may indicate challenges for new entrants.