The Restaurant Industry in Sandefjord: Companies, Statistics, and Outlook

The restaurant industry in Sandefjord is an important part of the municipality's economy, with 79 registered companies and combined revenue exceeding 172 million Norwegian kroner in 2024. The industry has been marked by fluctuations in recent years, with a decline in revenue from 2016 to 2025, but with a partial recovery after 2022. There is also a clear geographic distribution, with the most activity in Sandefjord's city center compared to Stokke. The industry includes both stable businesses and some companies that have gone bankrupt, highlighting both challenges and opportunities for new players.

Over the past few years, the restaurant industry in Sandefjord has experienced both increases and decreases in revenue and number of employees. Revenue has fallen by 15.4% from 2024 to 2025, while the number of employees has decreased by 2.8%. However, there has been a partial recovery after 2022, with revenue increasing by 19.6% compared to 2021. In 2026, the number of employees remains at 521, indicating stabilization after a period of decline. The industry has also been marked by variations in EBITDA margins, with an average EBITDA margin of 3% in 2023.

In Sandefjord, there are 79 companies registered in the restaurant industry, with 16 of these described in detail. The most common organizational forms are AS (34 companies), ENK (6 companies), and ANS (1 company). Among the detailed companies, we find both stable businesses such as Kokeriet Restaurant As and new companies such as Kaikanten 17 As, which has not yet reported revenue. Some companies have also gone bankrupt, such as Brygga 5 Mat Og Vin As, demonstrating variations in the industry's stability.

The restaurant industry in Sandefjord is heavily concentrated in the municipality's city center, with 37 companies and 566 employees in Sandefjord compared to only 4 companies and 15 employees in Stokke. Revenue in Sandefjord is 171.2 million Norwegian kroner, while Stokke reports no revenue. This shows that most of the activity in the industry is located in Sandefjord's city center, with less activity in peripheral areas such as Stokke.

The industry has experienced some bankruptcies in recent years, with 3 companies going bankrupt in Sandefjord. This includes companies such as Aaaiar Vest As and The Note As, which have reported negative EBITDA values. However, there are also many companies with stable finances, such as Kokeriet Restaurant As and Huset Sandefjord As, which have high revenue and positive EBITDA. Bankruptcies demonstrate that the industry has both challenges and opportunities for new players.

For entrepreneurs considering starting a restaurant in Sandefjord, the data show that the industry has both opportunities and challenges. There is a stable presence of 79 companies, but revenue has fallen by 15.4% from 2024 to 2025. However, parts of the industry have high revenue and positive EBITDA, such as Kokeriet Restaurant As. Entrepreneurs should also be aware of bankruptcies and variations in EBITDA margins, which can affect the likelihood of achieving profitability.

When comparing the restaurant industry to the broader category 'restaurant / café,' the data show that the latter has 108 companies, demonstrating that the industry is part of a larger sector. Revenue in the broader category has been more stable, with a decline of only 0.2% from 2024 to 2025. There are also more companies with high revenue, such as Select Service Partner As Avd Sandefjord Lufthavn Torp, which has revenue of 79.7 million Norwegian kroner. This shows that the broader category has greater variations in revenue and EBITDA, which can be an advantage for entrepreneurs seeking to establish themselves in a more diversified sector.

The restaurant industry in Sandefjord offers both opportunities and challenges for new players. With 79 companies and combined revenue exceeding 172 million Norwegian kroner in 2024, there is a stable presence of businesses. However, the industry has experienced declines in revenue and number of employees in recent years, showing that it is important to be aware of economic variations. Entrepreneurs should also consider establishing themselves in a broader sector such as 'restaurant / café,' which has more stable revenue and more companies. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses and develop strategies to ensure profitability in this competitive industry.