The Restaurant Industry in Storfjord: Current Situation and Future Opportunities

The restaurant industry in Storfjord is a small but dynamic sector with two registered companies: Arken Bistro As in Skibotn and Hatteng Grillbar & Camping As in Oteren. In recent years, the industry has been marked by declining sales and unstable operating results, with an average annual sales decline of 7.3% since 2017. Employment trends have been more variable, with an increase from 9 employees in 2021 to 18 employees in 2023 before declining again. The industry has also faced operational challenges, as illustrated by Hatteng's negative EBITDA of -2% in 2024. Nevertheless, there are opportunities for innovation and adaptation in a municipality with a unique geographic position and tourism potential.

Sales and Operating Results:

• 2016: NOK 4.6 million (baseline for development)
• 2025: NOK 2.0 million (decline of 34.8% since 2016)
• Annual Decline: 7.3% average from 2017 to 2025

Employment Trends:

• 2016: 10 employees
• 2023: 18 employees (highest level)
• 2025: 15 employees (increase of +44.4% from 2021 to 2022, but decline of -11.8% from 2024 to 2025)

Operating Results:

• EBITDA Margin: -2% for Hatteng in 2024 (the industry's only reported value)
• Average Operating Result per Employee: NOK -9,100 for Hatteng in 2024

Critical Points:

• Sales have fallen by over 35% from 2019 to 2020, and have not fully recovered since.
• Hatteng has been in an operating loss since 2020, despite an increase in the number of employees.

Registered Companies in Storfjord:

Company Type:

• AS (Limited Company): 2 companies (100% of the industry)
• Number of Employees in AS Companies: 17 total (11 in Arken, 6 in Hatteng)

Specific Observations:

• Arken Bistro As has no reported operating results or sales in 2024, which may indicate a new start or operational challenges.
• Hatteng has been in an operating loss since 2020, despite stabilizing the number of employees from 6 to 6.

Advantages of Activity in the Municipality:

Geographic Observations:

• Skibotn: The only company is Arken Bistro As, which has no reported sales or operating results in 2024. This may indicate a new start or a very small operation.
• Oteren: Hatteng Grillbar & Camping As is the only company, with sales of NOK 2.0 million in 2024, but an operating loss of NOK -97.0K. This shows a strong dependence on tourism and local conditions.

Municipal Conditions:

• Storfjord is located in Troms and Finnmark, a region with strong dependence on tourism and culture. This can be both an advantage and a challenge for the restaurant industry.

Bankruptcies and Operational Challenges:

• Arken Bistro As: No reported bankruptcy (not bankrupt), but no sales or operating results in 2024. This may indicate a new start or a very small operation.
• Hatteng Grillbar & Camping As: No bankruptcy, but with an operating loss of NOK -97.0K in 2024 and an EBITDA margin of -2%. This shows a strong dependence on tourism and local conditions.

Operating Results:

• Average Operating Result per Employee: NOK -9,100 for Hatteng in 2024.
• Average EBITDA Margin: -2% for Hatteng in 2024 (the industry's only reported value).

Development Trends:

• Sales have fallen by over 35% from 2019 to 2020, and have not fully recovered since.
• Employment trends have been more variable, with an increase from 9 employees in 2021 to 18 employees in 2023 before the decline continued.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

Opportunities and Challenges:

• Tourism Potential: Storfjord is located in a region with strong dependence on tourism, which can provide opportunities for specialized restaurants and cafes.
• Operational Challenges: Sales have fallen by over 35% from 2019 to 2020, and have not fully recovered since. This can be a challenge for new companies.
• Competitiveness: Hatteng Grillbar & Camping As is the only company in Oteren, which can provide opportunities for competitive companies.
• Cost Management: Hatteng has been in an operating loss since 2020, which shows a need for effective cost management and innovation.

Recommendations:

• Focus on quality and unique offerings can provide advantages in a competitive market.
• Collaboration with local authorities and tourism organizations can provide access to resources and market opportunities.
• Attention to operating results and EBITDA margins is critical to ensure profitability.

Outlook for the Parent Industry (Restaurant/Cafe)

Parent Industry (Restaurant/Cafe):

• Number of Companies: 3 (the industry has 2 companies, so the parent category has 1 additional company)
• Sales: NOK 2.4 million in 2025 (decline of 9.6% from 2024)
• Employment Trends: 15 employees in 2025 (decline of -11.8% from 2024)

Peer Companies in the Parent Industry:

Contrast Between the Parent Industry and the Restaurant Industry:

• Sales: The parent industry had NOK 2.4 million in 2025 (decline of 9.6% from 2024), while the restaurant industry had NOK 2.0 million in 2025 (decline of 9.3% from 2024).
• Employment Trends: The parent industry had 15 employees in 2025 (decline of -11.8% from 2024), while the restaurant industry had 15 employees in 2025 (decline of -11.8% from 2024).

Specific Observations:

• Ima Tursenter As: A cafe in Oteren with low EBITDA (NOK 9.0K) and no employees. This may indicate a small operation or a specialized offering.

The restaurant industry in Storfjord is a small but dynamic sector with two registered companies. In recent years, the industry has been marked by declining sales and unstable operating results, with an average annual decline of 7.3% in sales since 2017. Employment trends have been more variable, with an increase from 9 employees in 2021 to 18 employees in 2023 before the decline continued. The industry has also been marked by some operational challenges, as illustrated by Hatteng's negative EBITDA of -2% in 2024. Nevertheless, there are opportunities for innovation and adaptation in a municipality with a unique geographic position and tourism potential. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Storfjord for the restaurant industry, with a focus on nature and development.