The Restaurant Industry in Porsanger: Current Situation and Future Perspectives

The restaurant industry in Porsanger is a small but dynamic sector with 6 registered companies. In recent years, the industry has experienced both growth and challenges, with an increase in the number of employees from 6 to 16 people between 2024 and 2026. At the same time, sales have shown variations, peaking at NOK 3.1 million in 2023 before declining to NOK 1.7 million in 2025. One of the registered companies, Lakselv Restaurant Og Pizzeria As, has gone bankrupt, highlighting the industry's vulnerability to economic pressures. Nevertheless, there are signs that some companies have managed to maintain operations and employees, which could indicate potential opportunities for new players.

Sales and Employee Development

Sales (NOK):

• 2016: 1.4 million
• 2017: 1.5 million
• 2018: 2.1 million
• 2019: 1.8 million
• 2020: 1.7 million
• 2021: 1.7 million
• 2022: 2.2 million
• 2023: 3.1 million
• 2024: 2.5 million
• 2025: 1.7 million

Number of Employees:

• 2016: 5
• 2017: 4
• 2018: 8
• 2019: 6
• 2020: 3
• 2021: 3
• 2022: 3
• 2023: 5
• 2024: 6
• 2025: 12
• 2026: 16

Sales have shown strong growth from 2016 to 2023, with an increase of over 100% from 2016 to 2018. Subsequently, there was a decline of 29.7% from 2024 to 2025. The number of employees has shown a more stable development, with an increase from 6 to 16 people between 2024 and 2026. This suggests that the industry has managed to adapt to conditions, even though there have been challenges with sales figures.

Registered Companies

In Porsanger, the following companies are registered in the restaurant industry:

1. Lavvo As – Torgveien 3, Lakselv (AS, 9 employees)
2. Lakselv Grill As – Arne M Holdens vei 2A, Lakselv (AS, 6 employees)
3. Joy's Thaimat As – Meiseveien 9, Lakselv (AS, 2 employees)
4. Banak Leir As – Flyplassveien 97, Lakselv (AS, 0 employees)
5. Lakselv Restaurant Og Pizzeria As – Meieriveien 1A, Lakselv (AS, 0 employees, bankruptcy)
6. Lakselv Restaurant Og Pizzeria As Konkursbo – Meieriveien 1A, Lakselv (KBO, 0 employees)

Most companies are organized as AS, with a simple structure. One of the most interesting observations is that Joy's Thaimat As has a positive operating income of NOK 1.5 million, even though EBITDA is negative. This may indicate that the company has high turnover, but high operating costs.

Geographic Distribution

All companies in the restaurant industry in Porsanger are registered in Lakselv, which is the only place in the municipality with activity in this industry. In Lakselv, there are 3 companies with a total of 17 employees, and the operating income is NOK 1.5 million. This shows that Lakselv is the main center for the restaurant industry in the municipality. It is also worth noting that Joy's Thaimat As and Lakselv Restaurant Og Pizzeria As are the two most active companies in the area.

Operational Dynamics and Bankruptcy

In recent years, one company has gone bankrupt: Lakselv Restaurant Og Pizzeria As. This company had 0 employees and 0 sales in 2025, indicating that it had serious economic challenges. Nevertheless, other companies in the industry have managed to maintain operations, even though some have negative EBITDA values. For example, Joy's Thaimat As had an EBITDA of -NOK 44,000 in 2023, showing that operating costs are high relative to turnover. This could be a challenge for new players looking to establish themselves in the municipality.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the restaurant industry in Porsanger, it is important to consider both opportunities and challenges. It is clear that Lakselv is the main center for the restaurant industry, and it may be an advantage to establish oneself there. However, it is important to be aware of the economic challenges, as illustrated by the bankruptcy of Lakselv Restaurant Og Pizzeria As. Entrepreneurs should also consider carefully analyzing operating costs and prices, especially since several companies have negative EBITDA values. It may also be beneficial to look at how companies like Joy's Thaimat As have managed to maintain operations despite negative EBITDA values.

Development in the Broader Industry (Restaurant/Café)

In the broader restaurant/café industry in Porsanger, there are a total of 9 companies, showing that this industry is more developed than the individual restaurant industry. Sales in this industry have shown a more stable development, increasing from NOK 9.7 million in 2016 to NOK 15.5 million in 2019 before declining to NOK 10.1 million in 2024. The number of employees has also shown a more stable development, increasing from 22 to 33 people between 2016 and 2026. This suggests that the broader industry has better economic stability than the individual restaurant industry.

Peer Companies in the Industry

The following companies in the broader restaurant/café industry are not registered in the individual restaurant industry:

1. Airport Cafe As – Torgveien 4, 9700 Lakselv (café, 14 employees, NOK 7.2 million in sales, NOK 369,000 in EBITDA)
2. Lakselv Restaurant As – Meieriveien 1A, 9700 Lakselv (sushi restaurant, 4 employees, NOK 3.9 million in sales, NOK 161,000 in EBITDA)
3. Billefjordsenteret As Avd Cafe – Souvdiveien, 9710 Indre Billefjord (café, 0 employees, NOK 0 in sales, NOK 0 in EBITDA)

These companies show that there are opportunities to establish oneself in both the café and restaurant sectors in the municipality, even though there are challenges related to competition and economic pressures.

The restaurant industry in Porsanger is a small but dynamic sector with growth potential, especially in Lakselv. However, it is important to be aware of the economic challenges, as illustrated by the bankruptcy of Lakselv Restaurant Og Pizzeria As. Entrepreneurs should consider carefully analyzing operating costs and prices, and look at how companies like Joy's Thaimat As have managed to maintain operations despite negative EBITDA values. It may also be beneficial to look at how companies in the broader restaurant/café industry have managed to maintain operations and economic stability. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Porsanger for the restaurant industry, with a focus on natural conditions and potential market opportunities.