The Restaurant Industry in Smøla: Current Situation and Future Outlook

The restaurant industry in Smøla municipality has shown weak fluctuating development over the past few years. There are 3 companies in the industry, with a total of 11 employees and combined sales of NOK 7.8 million. The most significant player is Havkro Drift As, which operates with 10 employees and generates higher revenues compared to the other companies. Fluctuations in employee numbers and sales over time indicate a dynamic industry with both growth and challenges. There are no bankruptcy registrations among the companies, but negative operating results have been observed at Lagunen Kafe As.

Sales and employee development:

Key figures for 2023:

• EBITDA margin: 9%
• Gross margin: 66%
• Operating margin: 5%
• Sales per employee: NOK 352,500

Sales reached their highest level in 2021 (NOK 11.0M), but have since declined. The number of employees experienced a sharp decline in 2024, from 24 to 12 people.

Registered companies in Smøla:

1. Havkro Drift As (Skjærgårdsveien 1063, Smøla)

• Organizational form: AS
• Employees: 10
• Sales: NOK 7.8M
• EBITDA: NOK 810,000
• Operating result: NOK 449,000
• Equity: NOK 1.5M
• Debt: NOK 5.9M

• Organizational form: ENK
• Employees: 1
• Sales: NOK 0
• EBITDA: NOK 0
• Operating result: NOK 0

1. Lagunen Kafe As (Hopen, Smøla)

• Organizational form: AS
• Employees: 0
• Sales: NOK 0
• EBITDA: NOK -4,000
• Operating result: NOK -4,000
• Equity: NOK -131,000
• Debt: NOK 131,000

Organizational form distribution:

• AS: 1 company (Havkro Drift As)
• ENK: 1 company (Slyngeriet Roksvåg Gordon)

Distribution of activity in the municipality:

Activity is registered in the Smøla area, with 2 companies and 11 employees. There is no detailed breakdown of activity in sub-areas within the municipality.

Bankruptcy statistics:

• No companies in the industry are registered as bankrupt in the municipality.

Operating results:

• Havkro Drift As has positive operations and high equity.
• Lagunen Kafe As has negative equity and debt of NOK 131,000.
• Slyngeriet Roksvåg Gordon has no operating results.

Fluctuations:

• The number of employees has varied significantly, with a decline from 26 in 2019 to 6 in 2025.
• Sales experienced a sharp increase from 2016 to 2021, but have since declined.

Trend analysis:

• The industry has shown greater growth in sales and employees from 2016 to 2019, but has since experienced greater decline in 2024 and 2025.
• Havkro Drift As has shown stable operations and higher revenues, which may indicate potential opportunities for new players.
• Lagunen Kafe As and Slyngeriet Roksvåg Gordon have shown weak operating results, which may indicate challenges in the industry.

For entrepreneurs:

• It is possible to find available addresses in Smøla for restaurant operations, especially in areas with existing business activity.
• SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs explore potential locations and improve the likelihood of success in a competitive marketplace.
• It is important to consider operational economics and market positioning to avoid negative results like those at Lagunen Kafe As.

The restaurant industry in Smøla municipality has a dynamic development with both growth and challenges. Havkro Drift As is a key player with stable operating results, while other companies have shown weak or negative figures. It is possible to find available addresses in the municipality, and SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs identify potential locations. To succeed in the industry, it is important to focus on operational economics, market positioning, and quality to ensure profitability in a competitive marketplace.