The Restaurant Industry in Tromsø: Analysis of Businesses, Economics, and Outlooks

The restaurant industry in Tromsø is an important part of the local economy with over 124 registered companies. The industry has shown both strength and challenges over the years, with a combination of stable businesses and some companies that have gone bankrupt. This analysis provides an overview of the industry's economic development, business geography, company structure, and future opportunities.

Economic Trends

The restaurant industry in Tromsø has experienced variations in sales and number of employees over time. From 2016 to 2024, sales increased from NOK 488.9 million to NOK 638.2 million, followed by an 8% decline in 2025. The number of employees saw a significant drop in 2020-2021, but has since stabilized with a 5.2% increase in 2026.

Table: Sales and Employees per Year

The industry has shown resilience after the pandemic, with an increase in sales and employees from 2022 onward. This indicates a gradual recovery and adaptation to new conditions.

Companies in the Industry

There are 124 registered companies in the restaurant industry in Tromsø, but the following list shows a selection of the most representative companies:

• Vertshuset Skarven As (Strandtorget 1): 101 employees, high EBITDA margin of 12%
• Tromsø Nohafa As (Storgata 50): 65 employees, high EBITDA margin of 17%
• Kystens Mathus As (Stortorget 1A): 63 employees, EBITDA margin of 9%
• Vervet Sjømat As (Nordøstpassasjen 37): New company established in 2024, no operational data yet

Organizational Forms

Most companies are AS (80 companies), while there is one Enk company. AS companies have an average of 1,704 employees and higher operating results compared to the Enk company.

Distribution of Businesses

The restaurant industry is most concentrated in Tromsø with 73 companies and 1,606 employees. Other areas with activity include:

• Tromsdalen: 4 companies, 51 employees
• Kvaløya: 1 company, 36 employees
• Kvaløysletta: 2 companies, 18 employees
• Tomasjord: 1 company, 6 employees

Table: Geographic Distribution

Tromsø dominates with both the number of companies and sales, while other areas have smaller but specialized businesses, such as Kvaløya with a high sales growth of 14%.

There is one bankruptcy registered in the industry: Best Nord As (Storgata 25) with 0 employees and 0 sales. This is a unique case and not representative of the industry as a whole.

Operating Results

Most companies have positive operating results, with the highest EBITDA margin of 27% at Pastafabrikken As. Some companies, such as Hard Rock Cafe Tromsø, have negative EBITDA (–16%), which may indicate specific challenges.

The restaurant industry in Tromsø shows signs of stabilization and growth after 2020, with an increase in sales and employees. This is a positive development for entrepreneurs looking to establish themselves in the city. Tromsø's high number of companies and concentration of businesses provide opportunities for collaboration and networking.

Challenges

An important challenge is the weak sales growth in 2025 (–8%), which may be a signal of economic pressure or competitiveness. Entrepreneurs should also be aware of operating results and EBITDA margins to ensure profitability.

Broader industry2 (restaurant/café) compared to restaurant

The broader category restaurant/café has 155 companies in Tromsø, showing that the industry includes both restaurants and cafés. This provides a larger market base and potential collaboration opportunities.

Table: Comparison of Parent and Leaf Industry

The parent category has higher sales and employees, indicating a more diversified business. Entrepreneurs should consider leveraging this broader market base to find opportunities in both restaurants and cafés.

Conclusion

The restaurant industry in Tromsø is an important part of the local economy with good growth and stability after 2020. With over 124 companies and a concentration in the city, there are good opportunities for entrepreneurs. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses and locations in Tromsø for new restaurants, based on data and market analyses.