The Restaurant Industry in Sola: Current Status and Future Outlook

The restaurant industry in Sola is an important part of the municipality's economy, with 38 registered companies in 2025. The industry has shown variation in its development, with a peak in 2022 (NOK 124.9 million in sales revenue) and a decline in 2025 (NOK 89.4 million). Employment development has been more stable, increasing from 289 in 2016 to 382 in 2025. One of the most notable developments is the bankruptcy of Eatmore As in Sola, which highlights potential risk factors in the industry. At the same time, companies such as Solastrand Gård and Foodcourt Sola Avd 2477 have shown strong economic performance with high EBITDA margins and positive revenue growth.

SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Sola for restaurant operations, with a focus on areas with high population density and tourist activity.

The industry has had a complex economic development in recent years. Sales revenue grew by 27.5% from 2017 to 2018, but fell by 18.1% from 2019 to 2020. In 2022, a new high of NOK 124.9 million was recorded, but there has been a decline of 8.1% from 2024 to 2025. Employment development has been more stable, increasing from 289 in 2016 to 382 in 2025, although there have been small declines in 2025 and 2026.

EBITDA margins have varied between 4% and 16%, with companies such as Foodcourt Sola Avd 2477 (16%) and Tananger Pizza As (11%) standing out as particularly efficient. At the same time, companies such as Mæf Sola As and Rodin Sola As have shown negative EBITDA values, which may indicate economic challenges.

The gross margin has averaged 64–72%, showing that the industry has good control over costs relative to revenue.

In Sola, there are 38 companies registered in the restaurant industry, with the dominant organizational form being AS (18 companies). The most notable companies include:

• Solastrand Gård (Ræge): NOK 29.0 million in sales revenue, 61 employees, EBITDA of NOK 2.5 million
• Foodcourt Sola Avd 2477 (Sola): NOK 13.8 million in sales revenue, 29 employees, EBITDA of NOK 2.3 million
• Tananger Pizza As (Tananger): NOK 7.9 million in sales revenue, 32 employees, EBITDA of NOK 935,000
• Sola Bistro As (Sola): 40% revenue growth from 2023 to 2024, EBITDA of NOK 353,000

There are also several companies with negative EBITDA values, such as Mæf Sola As and Rodin Sola As, which may indicate economic challenges in parts of the industry.

Restaurant operations are most concentrated in the following areas in Sola:

Sola is the most active area, with 12 companies and 185 employees. Tananger and Ræge also have significant activity, while Stavanger has only one company, Wilberg F&b As, which is bankrupt. There is a clear geographical variation in both the number of companies and economic performance.

The restaurant industry has been marked by some bankruptcies, including Eatmore As in Sola, which had NOK 0 in sales revenue and EBITDA. This shows that there can be economic challenges in parts of the industry. At the same time, most companies have shown positive economic performance, with high EBITDA margins and stable revenues.

The most stable companies have high revenue and a low number of employees, such as Foodcourt Sola Avd 2477 (NOK 13.8 million in sales revenue with 29 employees) and Solastrand Gård (NOK 29.0 million in sales revenue with 61 employees). There are also companies with high debt, such as Sola Pizza As (NOK 3.2 million in debt), which can be a risk factor for future stability.

For entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry in Sola, it is important to be aware of both the opportunities and challenges. The industry has shown growth in recent years, with an increase in the number of employees and high EBITDA margins at several companies. At the same time, there is a clear variation in economic performance, and there are companies with negative EBITDA values and high debt.

It is also important to be aware of the competition, especially in areas such as Sola and Tananger, where there are many companies. Entrepreneurs should consider differentiating themselves through unique offerings or focusing on specialized markets, such as sushi restaurants or cafes.

SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Sola for restaurant operations, with a focus on areas with high population density and tourist activity.

In the broader restaurant / cafe industry in Sola, there are 44 registered companies, showing that the industry is somewhat larger than the specific restaurant industry. Sales revenue has grown from NOK 180.9 million in 2016 to NOK 288.6 million in 2025, with an average annual growth of 7.2%. Employment development has been more stable, with an increase from 411 in 2016 to 584 in 2026.

The most notable companies in the broader industry include:

• Select Service Partner As Avd Stavanger Lufthavn Sola (Flyplassvegen 300, Sola): NOK 174.5 million in sales revenue, 176 employees, EBITDA of NOK 15.5 million
• Madla Handelslag Sa Losen Spiseri (Risavika Havnering 12A, Tananger): NOK 39.8 million in sales revenue, 24 employees, EBITDA of NOK 1.9 million
• Drivhuset Kafé As (Forusbeen 337, Sola): NOK 3.5 million in sales revenue, 4 employees, EBITDA of NOK -387,000

There are also companies with negative EBITDA values, such as Tananger Sushi As and Sushi Sola As, which may indicate economic challenges in parts of the industry.

The restaurant industry in Sola has shown both growth and variation in recent years. There are opportunities for entrepreneurs, especially in areas with high population density and tourist activity. At the same time, it is important to be aware of the competition and economic challenges, such as bankruptcies and companies with negative EBITDA values.

The industry has a good average economic performance, with high EBITDA margins and stable revenues. Entrepreneurs should consider differentiating themselves through unique offerings or focusing on specialized markets, such as sushi restaurants or cafes.

SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Sola for restaurant operations, with a focus on areas with high population density and tourist activity.