The Restaurant Industry in Tønsberg – Companies, Statistics, and Outlook

The restaurant industry in Tønsberg is an important part of the municipality's economy, with 116 registered companies and 886 employees in 2026. The industry has been marked by fluctuations over the years, with a significant decline in sales and number of employees in 2025. Nevertheless, data shows that Tønsberg has a stable structure with several large companies, especially in the city center. For entrepreneurs, this can be both a challenge and an opportunity, as competition is high, but there is also a solid foundation for new initiatives.

Sales and Employees Over Time

Sales experienced a sharp decline of 24.7% from 2024 to 2025, while the number of employees has decreased by 3.5% over the same period. The highest sales were achieved in 2022 (409.1M NOK), followed by a weaker development in 2023 and 2024. Employee numbers had a strong increase in 2022 (31.8%), but have since declined.

Major Companies in the Industry

Tønsberg has several well-known restaurant companies, including:

• Foyngården Drift As (163 employees, 59.1M NOK in operating income)
• Havariet As (59 employees, 56.3M NOK in operating income)
• Steak As (54 employees, 32.2M NOK in operating income)

Most companies are organized as AS (59 companies), while there are also some ENK-organized companies. However, there are more companies in the municipality (116) than listed here, which shows that there is a broad foundation in the industry.

Distribution of Activity in the Municipality

Tønsberg is the dominant area with 45 companies and 838 employees, while other areas such as Tolvsrød and Sem have less activity. There are also more companies in Tønsberg with higher sales and operating income compared to other areas.

Operational Efficiency and Bankruptcy Statistics

The industry has been marked by variations in the operating result. For example, Hbb Tønsberg As had a negative EBITDA of -372,000 NOK in 2024, while Kverneriet As had a positive EBITDA of 1.5M NOK in the same year. There are also several companies with 0 in sales and operating income, such as Tønsberg Pizza Tolvsrød and Digg Pizza Tønsberg, which may indicate that some companies are in the start-up phase or have encountered challenges.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry in Tønsberg, it is important to be aware of the recent decline in sales and number of employees. Nevertheless, there is a solid foundation for new initiatives, especially in the Tønsberg city center where there are many existing companies. It may be an advantage to focus on unique qualities or specializations that stand out in a competitive market. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations and assess potential opportunities in the municipality.

Comparison with Broader Category

The broader category restaurant / café has 142 companies in Tønsberg, which shows that the industry is part of a larger sector. Sales in this category had a decrease of 21.3% from 2024 to 2025, while the operating result had a weaker development compared to the restaurant industry. Current peer companies include both cafés and sushi restaurants, which can give entrepreneurs opportunities to diversify offerings in the municipality.

The restaurant industry in Tønsberg has both strengths and challenges. With 116 companies and 886 employees, it is a stable sector, but there is also a clear decline in sales and number of employees in recent years. Entrepreneurs should consider opportunities in the Tønsberg city center, where there are many existing companies, but also potential challenges in the form of competitiveness. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations and assess business plans that align with local trends.