Industry · municipality
The Restaurant Industry in Ringerike: Current Status and Future Outlook
Analysis of Companies, Statistics, and Opportunities for Entrepreneurs and Local Decision-Makers in Ringerike
Executive Summary
The restaurant industry in Ringerike is an important part of the local economy, with 44 registered companies and over 260 employees in 2026. The industry has been marked by fluctuations in sales and employment over the years, with a significant decline in 2025. Hønefoss is the dominant center, with 18 companies and 205 employees. New companies such as Khalles Corner and Smashhh Burger were established in 2025, but several companies report zero income. The industry shows both stability and challenges, with a wide variation in EBITDA margins and operating results.
Economic Overview
Sales and employee development (2016–2026):
| Year | Sales (NOK) | Employees | Year-over-Year Change (Sales) | Year-over-Year Change (Employees) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 94.6M | 277 | - | - |
| 2017 | 105.9M | 343 | +12.0% | +23.8% |
| 2025 | 50.6M | 244 | -43.9% | +7.4% |
The industry had peak sales of 105.9M NOK in 2017, but a sharp decline of 43.9% in 2025. The number of employees fluctuated, increasing from 188 in 2021 to 262 in 2026. The most stable period was from 2022 to 2024, with small variations in both sales and employees.
Companies in the Industry
Key companies in Ringerike:
- Salt & Pepper Hønefoss AS (Storgata 12, Hønefoss): 44 employees, 29.6M NOK operating income, 25% EBITDA margin.
- Rustad Kafe AS (Hallingdalsveien 21, Sokna): 32 employees, 17.4M NOK sales, 7% EBITDA margin.
- Valdresporten Kro AS (Ådalsveien 1365, Nes I Ådal): 17 employees, 10.7M NOK operating income, 0% EBITDA margin.
Organizational form:
- AS (21 companies, 277 employees): Dominates with high operating income (91.6M NOK) and EBITDA (9.9M NOK).
- Enk (1 company, 3 employees): No operating results or sales.
New companies:
- Khalles Corner Hønefoss AS (2025): 18 employees, 0 NOK sales.
- Smashhh Burger AS (2025): 9 employees, 0 NOK sales.
Details:
- Bryggerikjelleren AS (Hønefoss): 8 employees, -4% EBITDA margin.
- Ringerike Pizza & Grill AS (Hønefoss): 10 employees, 1% EBITDA margin.
Business Geography
Distribution of companies and employees in Ringerike:
| Location | Number of Companies | Number of Employees | Operating Income (NOK) | Sales (NOK) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hønefoss | 18 | 205 | 57.4M | 56.6M |
| Sokna | 1 | 32 | 17.4M | 17.4M |
| Nes I Ådal | 2 | 26 | 16.8M | 15.8M |
| Jevnaker | 1 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
Analysis:
- Hønefoss is the dominant center, with 18 companies and 205 employees. Storgata and Søndre torv are important addresses.
- Sokna has one company (Rustad Kafe AS) with high operating income (17.4M NOK) and a 7% EBITDA margin.
- Nes I Ådal has two companies, but one (Valdresporten Kro AS) reports a negative operating result (-591.0K NOK).
- Jevnaker has one company (Kunstpause AS) with zero operating result and sales.
Business Dynamics
Bankruptcies and operating results:
- No companies are registered as bankrupt in the restaurant industry in Ringerike.
- New companies such as Khalles Corner and Smashhh Burger have no sales or operating results.
- Bryggerikjelleren AS (Hønefoss) has negative EBITDA (-112.0K NOK) and total equity (-213.0K NOK).
- Kraft Pizzeria Hønefoss AS and Fossen Matglede AS have no operating results or sales.
Operating results:
- Salt & Pepper Hønefoss AS has the highest EBITDA (7.6M NOK) and a 25% EBITDA margin.
- Rustad Kafe AS has a 7% EBITDA margin, while Valdresporten Kro AS has a 0% EBITDA margin.
Conclusion: The industry shows a mix of stable companies and new companies facing challenges. It is important to monitor operating results and EBITDA margins to identify potential risky companies.
Outlook
Outlook for Entrepreneurs
Opportunities and challenges:
- Stable markets: Hønefoss is an important center with 18 companies and 205 employees. This provides opportunities to establish oneself in an established market.
- New companies: It is possible to establish oneself in 2025, but it is important to be aware of operating results and EBITDA margins.
- Competitiveness: Companies such as Salt & Pepper Hønefoss AS and Rustad Kafe AS have high EBITDA margins, which can be a challenge for new companies.
- Operating results: It is important to monitor operating results and EBITDA margins to identify potential risky companies.
Recommendation: Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in Hønefoss, where there are established markets and a high level of consumption. It is also important to monitor operating results and EBITDA margins to identify potential risky companies.
Outlook for the Parent Category
Outlook for the parent category (restaurant / café)
Parent category (restaurant / café) in Ringerike:
- Number of companies: 60 (the industry has 44 companies).
- Sales: 144.6M NOK in 2024, with a decline of 26.6% in 2025.
- Number of employees: 352 in 2024, with a decline of 0.9% in 2025.
Peer companies in the parent category:
| Name | Address | Sales (NOK) | Employees | EBITDA (NOK) | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kikko Sushi AS | Stangs gate 5, 3510 Hønefoss | 7.4M | 6 | 1.7M | sushi restaurant |
| Fj Horeca AS | Stabells gate 2, 3510 Hønefoss | 8.5M | 15 | 933.0K | café |
| Westbyn Restaurantdrift AS | Nordre torv 1, 3513 Hønefoss | 11.1M | 28 | 619.0K | café |
Conclusion: The parent category (restaurant / café) has higher sales and employees than the industry. It is important to monitor operating results and EBITDA margins to identify potential risky companies. Peer companies such as Kikko Sushi AS and Fj Horeca AS have high EBITDA margins and can be competitors for new companies.
Other companies in restaurant / kafé (not in restaurant)
| Company | Industry | Address | Sales | Employees | EBITDA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kikko Sushi As | sushi restaurant | Stangs gate 5, 3510 Hønefoss | NOK 7.4M | 6 | NOK 1.7M |
| Fj Horeca As | cafe | Stabells gate 2, 3510 Hønefoss | NOK 8.5M | 15 | NOK 933.0K |
| Westbyn Restaurantdrift As | cafe | Nordre torv 1, 3513 Hønefoss | NOK 11.1M | 28 | NOK 619.0K |
| Espresso House Norge As Avd Hønefoss Sentrum 865 | coffeehouse | Storgata 7, 3510 Hønefoss | NOK 7.2M | 13 | NOK 359.4K |
| Salah Servering As | cafe | Kong Rings gate 1, 3510 Hønefoss | NOK 5.9M | 7 | NOK 129.0K |
| Sophas Takeaway | asian restaurant | Askveien 52, 3510 Hønefoss | NOK 2.8M | 4 | NOK 100.0K |
| Brasserie Fengselet As | cafe | Storgata 9, 3510 Hønefoss | NOK 13.8M | 28 | NOK 68.0K |
| Eat & Drive As | sushi restaurant | c/o Zunera Rumi Khan|Færdenbakken 1, 3514 Hønefoss | NOK 0 | 3 | NOK 0 |
| Isabella Cafe As | cafe | Stabells gate 13, 3510 Hønefoss | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Kafé Mohamadi | cafe | Hvelven 24, 3510 Hønefoss | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Maatouk | cafe | Nansenveien 19A, 3513 Hønefoss | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| New York Pizza As | asian restaurant | Stabells gate 1, 3510 Hønefoss | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Sushi House Restaurant & Bar As | sushi restaurant | Stabells gate 13, 3510 Hønefoss | NOK 0 | 6 | NOK 0 |
| Tk Thai & Sushi As | cafe | Osloveien 33, 3511 Hønefoss | NOK 0 | 3 | NOK 0 |
| Treminner Egil Gustav Jansson | cafe | Vemeveien 3A, 3518 Hønefoss | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
| Venner.s Stua Da | asian restaurant | Osloveien 33, 3511 Hønefoss | NOK 0 | 0 | NOK 0 |
Conclusion
The restaurant industry in Ringerike has both opportunities and challenges. Hønefoss is the dominant center, with 18 companies and 205 employees. New companies such as Khalles Corner and Smashhh Burger were established in 2025, but several companies report zero income. The industry shows both stability and challenges, with a wide variation in EBITDA margins and operating results. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Ringerike for the restaurant industry, with a focus on operating results and EBITDA margins.