Industry · municipality
The Restaurant Industry in Namsos: Current Status and Future Prospects
A Detailed Analysis of Companies, Statistics, and Development Trends
Executive Summary
The restaurant industry in Namsos is an important part of the local economy, with 17 registered companies in 2026. The industry has shown variation in its development, with a significant decline in 2021 (16.1%) and a gradual increase since 2023. Namsos is the main hub for activity, with 6 companies and 53 employees, while Jøa and Namdalseid have less activity. A single company, Hylla Grill Og Cafe As, is registered as bankrupt, indicating potential risk factors. The industry has both stable businesses and new companies such as Dryfans Smaksverksted (2025) and Reitans Bistro As (2023), suggesting a dynamic sector.
Economic Overview
Sales Development (2016–2025):
- 2025: NOK 35.1 million (8.0% increase from 2024)
- 2021: NOK 26.3 million (16.1% decrease from 2020)
- 2023: NOK 32.0 million (14.7% increase from 2022)
Employee Development (2016–2026):
- 2026: 59 employees (13.2% decrease from 2025)
- 2024: 72 employees (30.9% increase from 2023)
- 2021: 49 employees (19.7% decrease from 2020)
The industry has shown uneven development, with a strong increase in 2023–2024, but a decline in 2025–2026. This may be due to variations in customer behavior and competition in the sector.
Companies in the Industry
The following companies are registered in the restaurant industry in Namsos:
| Company | Legal Form | Employees | Sales (2025) | EBITDA (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Himmel & Hav Namsos As | AS | 12 | NOK 7.3M | -NOK 271K |
| Svendsen Pizza As | AS | 11 | NOK 7.1M | NOK 447K |
| Viva Napoli As | AS | 11 | NOK 14.6M | NOK 2.4M |
| China Palace As | AS | 10 | NOK 5.1M | NOK 1.2M |
| Hylla Grill Og Cafe As | AS | 0 | NOK 0 | NOK 0 |
Legal Form: 8 of 17 companies are AS, with an average wage cost of NOK 11.9 million and an average EBITDA of NOK 3.7 million. Some companies, such as Jøa Catering & Pøbb As, have negative results, which may be a warning for new entrants.
Business Geography
Activity in the restaurant industry is most concentrated in Namsos, with 6 companies and 53 employees. Jøa and Namdalseid have less activity, but with some companies:
- Namsos: 6 companies, 53 employees, NOK 34.1M sales, 8% operating margin
- Jøa: 1 company, 7 employees, NOK 0 sales
- Namdalseid: 1 company, 4 employees, NOK 0 sales
This shows that Namsos is the main hub for the restaurant industry, while Jøa and Namdalseid have less development. This may be due to population distribution and tourist activity in Namsos.
Business Dynamism
The industry has shown both stability and instability. A single company, Hylla Grill Og Cafe As, is registered as bankrupt, which may be a warning for new entrants. This company had NOK 0 in sales and NOK 0 in EBITDA in 2026. On the other hand, companies such as Viva Napoli As and China Palace As have shown strong results with high EBITDA margins (16% and 22%).
New Companies:
- Dryfans Smaksverksted (2025): 0 employees, NOK 0 in sales
- Reitans Bistro As (2023): 4 employees, NOK 0 in sales
This shows that the industry has both stable businesses and new companies trying to establish themselves, which may lead to competitive development.
Outlook
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
For entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry in Namsos, there are both opportunities and challenges. The industry has shown a gradual increase in sales and employees since 2023, indicating positive development. Namsos is the main hub for activity, which can be advantageous for new companies looking to establish themselves in a city with high tourist activity.
Recommendations for Entrepreneurs:
- Focus on Namsos, where there is the most activity and potential customers
- Learn from success models such as Viva Napoli As and China Palace As, which have high EBITDA margins
- Be aware of competition and operational costs, as shown by Hylla Grill Og Cafe As's bankruptcy
SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Namsos for restaurant operations, based on data and local conditions.
Outlook for Broader Industry
Outlook for Broader Industry (Restaurant/Café)
The broader industry restaurant/café in Namsos has 22 companies, showing that the restaurant industry is part of a larger sector. Compared to the restaurant industry, the broader industry has:
- Sales (2025): NOK 44.4M (8.0% increase from 2024)
- Employees (2026): 93 (3.1% decrease from 2025)
Peer companies in the restaurant/café industry (not in the restaurant industry):
| Company | Industry | Sales (2025) | EBITDA (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kasi Invest Namsos As | Sushi Restaurant | NOK 9.3M | NOK 437K |
| Coop Midt Norge Sa Avd 87 Coop Extra Cafe Namsos | Café | NOK 0 | NOK 0 |
| Faksdal Brygge As | Café | NOK 0 | NOK 0 |
The broader industry has higher sales, but also more companies with zero sales, which may be a warning for new entrants.
Other companies in restaurant / kafé (not in restaurant)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasi Invest Namsos As | sushi restaurant | Kirkegata 11, 7800 Namsos | NOK 9.3M | 15 | NOK 437.0K |
| Coop Midt Norge Sa Avd 87 Coop Extra Cafe Namsos | cafe | Nøsthaugvegen 7, 7820 Spillum | NOK 0 | 8 | NOK 0 |
| Faksdal Brygge As | cafe | Faksdalsjøen 25, 7856 Jøa | NOK 0 | 15 | NOK 0 |
| Koonthip Thai Takeaway Krogstad | asian restaurant | Barstadvegen 24, 7820 Spillum | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Marihøne As | cafe | Namsosvegen 2899, 7750 Namdalseid | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
Conclusion
The restaurant industry in Namsos has both opportunities and challenges. The industry has shown a gradual increase in sales and employees since 2023, but there is also a single company registered as bankrupt. Namsos is the main hub for activity, which can be advantageous for new companies. Entrepreneurs should be aware of competition and operational costs, but also take advantage of opportunities in a city with high tourist activity. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Namsos for restaurant operations, based on data and local conditions.