The Restaurant Industry in Sogndal: Current Status and Future Outlook

The restaurant industry in Sogndal is an important part of the local economy, with 21 registered companies and 145 employees in 2026. The industry has shown stable sales growth over the past few years, with an annual growth rate of 6.7% from 2024 to 2025. The most prominent companies include Restauranthuset Malin As and Presog As, which have high sales figures and positive EBITDA. However, data shows that the industry has been affected by variations in employee numbers and operating results, especially in smaller companies. Sogndal is the most active area, with 7 companies and 136 employees, while Leikanger and Balestrand have lower activity. The industry has not registered any bankruptcies in 2026, but it is important to be aware of operational risks, especially for new companies.

The industry has shown a gradual increase in sales over the past few years, with a total sales amount of NOK 60.5 million in 2025. Annual growth has been most pronounced from 2020 to 2021 (+21.9%), while there have been small declines in 2017 and 2020. The number of employees has varied, with a peak of 183 employees in 2023, before declining to 145 in 2026. The industry's EBITDA margin is 7%, indicating a moderate operating economy. The most profitable companies have higher EBITDA margins, such as Sogndal Pizza As with 15%, while China House Eiendom As has a negative EBITDA of -139% due to high operating costs.

In Sogndal, there are 21 companies in the restaurant industry, with organizational forms such as AS (9 companies), ENK (1 company), and SÆR (1 company). The most prominent companies include:

• Restauranthuset Malin As (Fjøravegen 17): 28 employees, NOK 24.9 million in sales, EBITDA of NOK 1.8 million.
• Presog As (Gravensteinsgata 5): 20 employees, NOK 14.2 million in sales, EBITDA of NOK 424,000.
• Sogndal Pizza As (Fjørevegen 8C): 17 employees, NOK 13.9 million in sales, EBITDA of NOK 2.2 million.

There are no bankrupt companies registered in 2026, but China House Eiendom As has a negative EBITDA due to high operating costs. The companies have variable operating economies, with margins ranging from 3% (Full Damp As) to 15% (Sogndal Pizza As).

Activity in the restaurant industry is most concentrated in Sogndal, with 7 companies and 136 employees. Leikanger and Balestrand have lower activity, with 3 and 1 companies respectively. Detailed data per area:

Sogndal has the highest sales and employees, while Balestrand has a higher EBITDA margin (9%) compared to Sogndal (7%).

The industry has been affected by variations in operating results, with some companies having high EBITDA and others with negative figures. Full Damp As had a negative EBITDA of 3% in 2026, while Brævasshytta As had a high EBITDA margin of 38% due to low operating costs. There are no bankrupt companies registered in 2026, but it is important to be aware of operational risks, especially for companies with a low number of employees or high operating costs. China House Eiendom As had a negative EBITDA of -139%, indicating a very poor operating economy.

For entrepreneurs considering starting a restaurant business in Sogndal, data shows that the industry has grown over the past few years, with an annual sales growth of 6.7% from 2024 to 2025. There are opportunities in areas such as Sogndal, where activity is highest, but there is also bankruptcy risk for new companies. It is important to carefully analyze the operating economy, especially for companies with a low number of employees or high operating costs. Sogndal has the highest sales and employees, which can be an advantage for new companies. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Sogndal for the restaurant industry.

The broader industry restaurant/café in Sogndal has 25 companies and 160 employees in 2026, indicating that the industry is somewhat larger than the individual restaurant industry. The sales total for the broader industry is NOK 60.5 million in 2025, which is somewhat higher than the restaurant industry. Peer companies in the broader industry include:

• Ataie (café, Elvatunet 4): 0 employees, NOK 0 in sales, EBITDA NOK 0.
• Memo Restaurant As (café, Almenningen 4): 9 employees, NOK 0 in sales, EBITDA NOK 0.
• Pearl By Harbor Komendant (café, Holmen 8): 10 employees, NOK 0 in sales, EBITDA NOK 0.

These companies have low operating economies, which can be a challenge for new companies in the industry.

The restaurant industry in Sogndal has shown stable sales growth over the past few years, with 21 companies and 145 employees in 2026. The most prominent companies have high EBITDA and positive operating economies, while there are variations in operating results. Sogndal is the most active area, with 7 companies and 136 employees. For entrepreneurs, there are opportunities in Sogndal, but it is important to be aware of operational risks. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Sogndal for the restaurant industry.