The Restaurant Industry in Risør: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Risør has an active restaurant industry with 23 registered companies in the municipality, according to data from 2026. The industry has shown both strength and instability over time, with a significant increase in sales and number of employees between 2020–2021, followed by a sharp decline in 2022–2023. In 2026, there are 183 employees in the industry, an increase of 28% compared to 2025. Although there are variations in individual companies' economics, the data shows that Risør has growth potential in the restaurant sector, particularly in areas with high average operating profit (EBITDA).

Economic Trends

Sales and Employees Over Time:

Key Figures in 2026:

• Total sales: NOK 43.2M
• Total number of employees: 183
• Average EBITDA margin: 1.1% (industry-wide)
• Largest single company: Risør Kroa As with NOK 7.9M in sales and NOK 1.1M in EBITDA.

Development Trends:

• Sales experienced a sharp decline of 28.6% from 2022 to 2023, but recovered with a growth of 28.0% in 2026.
• The number of employees grew by 28.0% in 2026, but declined by 12.2% from 2023 to 2024.

Risør has 16 registered companies in the restaurant industry, according to 2026 data. The most represented organizational forms are AS (10 companies), with fewer ANS (1 company) and ENK (1 company). Key companies include:

• Sardinfabrikken As (Strandgata 23): 51 employees, established 2024, 0 in sales and EBITDA.
• Risør Kroa As (Stangholmen): 30 employees, established 1995, NOK 7.9M in sales and NOK 1.1M in EBITDA.
• Kjell Macdonald As (Strandgata 2): 28 employees, established 1994, NOK 12.9M in sales and NOK 949.0K in EBITDA.
• Haven (Søndeledveien 30, Akland): 27 employees, established 2014, NOK 3.0M in sales and NOK -168.0K in EBITDA.

Special Observations:

• ANS and ENK companies have no employees and no sales in 2026, but are registered in the industry.
• Sissil As and Stranden Risør As have 0 in sales and EBITDA, but are registered in the municipality.

Risør has 9 companies and 218 employees, with total sales of NOK 43.2M and an EBITDA of NOK 1.1M. Akland has 1 company and 27 employees, with total sales of NOK 3.0M and an EBITDA of NOK -168.0K. There is a significant difference in economic performance between the two areas:

• Risør has a positive EBITDA (2%) and higher average sales per employee (NOK 193.0K) compared to Akland, which has a negative EBITDA (-5%) and lower average sales per employee (NOK 148.8K).

Mapping of Companies:

• Risør has more companies and higher economic activity.
• Akland has a single company (Haven) with negative EBITDA, which may indicate economic challenges.

Bankruptcy Statistics:

• No companies in the restaurant industry in Risør are registered as bankrupt in 2026.
• Haven (Akland) has a negative EBITDA of NOK -168.0K, which may be an early sign of economic challenges.

Operating Profit (EBITDA):

• Risør Kroa As has the highest EBITDA (NOK 1.1M) and an EBITDA margin of 13%.
• Kjell Macdonald As has an EBITDA margin of 7%, while Peterhead As has a negative EBITDA margin of -3%.

Conclusion:

• The industry has a mix of companies with both positive and negative EBITDA, but no bankruptcies in 2026. This indicates that the industry has a certain degree of stability, even though there are variations in individual companies' economics.

Growth Potential:

• The industry has shown a significant growth of 28.0% in the number of employees and sales in 2026, indicating a positive development.
• Risør has a higher number of employees and sales compared to Akland, which may indicate that there are more opportunities for entrepreneurs in Risør.

Development Trends:

• Risør Kroa As and Kjell Macdonald As have higher EBITDA margins, which may indicate that these companies have a better economic structure.
• Haven (Akland) has a negative EBITDA, which may be an early sign of economic challenges.

Recommendation:

• Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in Risør, where there are more companies and higher economic activity.
• It is important to analyze individual companies' economics and EBITDA margins before establishing oneself in the industry.

Comparison with Broader Industry:

• The Restaurant/Café industry in Risør has 29 companies in 2026, which is more than the Restaurant industry (23 companies).
• Sales in the Restaurant/Café industry had a growth of 28.0% in 2026, while the Restaurant industry had a growth of 28.0% in the number of employees.
• Number of employees in the Restaurant/Café industry had a growth of 25.8% in 2026, while the Restaurant industry had a growth of 28.0%.

Peer Companies in Broader Industry:

• Chin Chin Stua Cafe As (Krags gate 12): NOK 1.1M in sales and NOK 63.0K in EBITDA.
• Søndeled Kinamat Ru Yung Kevin Zhang (Øren 37): 13 employees, NOK 0 in sales and EBITDA.
• Bull Stebekks Salad & Sandwich (Krags gate 57): NOK 0 in sales and EBITDA.

Conclusion:

• The Restaurant/Café industry has more companies and a slightly higher growth in the number of employees compared to the Restaurant industry.
• There is a mix of companies with both positive and negative EBITDA in the Restaurant/Café industry, which may indicate that the industry has a certain degree of stability.

Risør has an active restaurant industry with 23 companies and 183 employees in 2026. The industry has shown both strength and instability over time, with a significant growth in 2020–2021 and a sharp decline in 2022–2023. In 2026, there is a growth of 28.0% in the number of employees and sales, indicating a positive development. Risør Kroa As and Kjell Macdonald As have higher EBITDA margins, which may indicate that these companies have a better economic structure. Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in Risør, where there are more companies and higher economic activity. It is important to analyze individual companies' economics and EBITDA margins before establishing oneself in the industry. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Risør for the restaurant industry.