The Restaurant Industry in Sør Aurdal: Current Situation and Future Perspectives

The restaurant industry in Sør Aurdal is a small but dynamic sector with two registered companies. One, Emma Kafè Og Spiseri Bagn, is active with 8 employees and an EBITDA margin of 8%, while Ellingsæter Kafe Og Diverse Fosskaug is registered but has no operating results. The industry has experienced significant variations in sales and employment over time, with a sharp decline in 2022 and an increase in 2025. Outlooks for new entrants are mixed, with both opportunities in a growing sector and challenges related to stabilizing existing companies.

The industry has experienced significant variations in sales and employment over time. According to branch_sales_yoy, sales in 2025 increased by +210.1% compared to 2024, but there was a sharp decline in 2022 (0 NOK in sales). In 2026, there are 7 employees in the industry, a decrease of 12.5% from 2025. The EBITDA margin for the one active company is 8%, and gross profit accounts for 72% of sales. This indicates relatively stable operations for the one operating company, despite significant variations in operating results over time.

There are two registered companies in the restaurant industry in Sør Aurdal:

1. Emma Kafè Og Spiseri Bagn (Storebruvegen 3, Bagn)

• Organizational form: AS
• Founded: 2024-08-01
• Employees: 8
• EBITDA: NOK 395.7K
• Sales: NOK 3.9M
• Status: Not in bankruptcy

1. Ellingsæter Kafe Og Diverse Fosskaug (Veståsvegen 324, Bagn)

• Organizational form: ENK
• Founded: 2026-04-09
• Employees: 0
• Sales: NOK 0
• Status: Not in bankruptcy

branch_org_form_statistics shows that there is 1 AS and 0 ENK in the industry, even though there are two companies. This is because one company (Ellingsæter) has 0 employees and no operating results.

All companies in the industry are located in Bagn, which is the only area in Sør Aurdal with activity in the restaurant sector. According to branch_cities:

• Bagn: 1 company, 8 employees, sales of NOK 3.9M, operating income of NOK 4.4M, and an EBITDA of NOK 395.7K.

There is no activity in other districts of the municipality, showing that Bagn is the only center for the restaurant industry in Sør Aurdal.

The industry has been marked by stable fluctuations in operating results and employment. Emma Kafè has been active since 2024, with growing sales (36% annual growth) and an EBITDA margin of 8%. Ellingsæter Kafe is a newly established company (2026) with no operating results. There is no bankruptcy in the industry, but there are stable declines in employment (from 17 in 2022 to 7 in 2026). This shows a weak operating economy in the industry, with the exception of the one active company.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry in Sør Aurdal, prospects are mixed. There are opportunities in a growing sector (sales in 2025 increased by 210.1%), but there are also challenges related to stabilizing existing companies and a weak operating economy. There are few competitors in Bagn, which could provide opportunities for a new entrant. However, it is important to be resilient in an industry with significant fluctuations in operating results and employment.

Outlook for the Overarching Industry (Restaurant / Café)

The overarching industry restaurant / café in Sør Aurdal has 3 companies, while the restaurant industry has only 2. According to parent_sales_yoy, sales in 2025 increased by +210.1% compared to 2024, but there was a sharp decline in 2022 (0 NOK in sales). The one company in the restaurant industry (Emma Kafè) is also part of this overarching category. A peer company in the overarching category is Tor Tronrud (sushi restaurant), although this company has no operating results.

The restaurant industry in Sør Aurdal is a small but dynamic sector with opportunities for entrepreneurs. There are few competitors in Bagn, and there are stable fluctuations in operating results and employment. However, it is important to be resilient in an industry with significant fluctuations. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Sør Aurdal for the restaurant industry, with a focus on prospects and operating economy.