The Restaurant Industry in Ullensvang: Current Status and Future Prospects

The restaurant industry in Ullensvang is an important part of the municipality's local economy, with 24 registered companies in 2026. In recent years, the industry has been marked by both growth and challenges, with a sharp decline in sales of 71% from 2024 to 2025. Nevertheless, the number of employees has stabilized at 156 in 2026, and there are no registered bankruptcies in the sector. Odda is the most active area with 7 companies and 142 employees, while other districts such as Herand and Røldal have fewer, but variable financial performance. For entrepreneurs, Ullensvang offers both opportunities and challenges, especially in areas with high tourist activity and existing restaurant industry.

Sales and employee development (2016–2026):

The industry experienced a sharp decline in sales of 71% from 2024 to 2025, but employee numbers have stabilized after a decline in 2024. The most notable growth was recorded in 2021 (+15.5%), while 2025 was the most critical year with a sharp decline. It is important to note that sales in 2025 are not fully documented, and there may be a shift in data collection.

In Ullensvang, there are 24 registered companies in the restaurant industry, with the following organizational forms:

• AS (11 companies): They dominate with 175 employees and a combined operating income of 20.2M NOK.
• ANS (1 company): Ans Merkur Cafe has 0 employees and no financial data.
• DA (1 company): Cinderella Tavern has 0 employees and no financial data.
• ENK (1 company): Ishtar Abbud has 0 employees and no financial data.

Important companies in Odda (7 companies):

• Iris Scene As: 34 employees, 3.0M NOK in sales, 469,000 NOK EBITDA.
• Asian Wok As: 4 employees, 7.7M NOK in sales, 2.5M NOK EBITDA.
• Langhuset As: 44 employees, but no financial data.

Other companies:

• Glåmøgd As (Kinsarvik): 15 employees, 2.2M NOK in sales, -53,000 NOK EBITDA.
• Kramsjø As (Herand): 12 employees, 2.3M NOK in sales, -167,000 NOK EBITDA.
• Røldalsterassen As (Røldal): 4 employees, 3.1M NOK in sales, 741,000 NOK EBITDA.

No companies in the industry are registered as bankrupt, but some have negative EBITDA values, such as Kramsjø As and Glåmøgd As.

Distribution of activity in Ullensvang's districts (2026):

Odda is the most active area with 7 companies and 142 employees, while Røldal has a high EBITDA margin of 24%. Kinsarvik and Herand have companies with negative EBITDA values, which may indicate economic challenges. Jondal has the fewest employees, but a high sales per employee (986,000 NOK).

Bankruptcy and financial stability:

No companies in the restaurant industry in Ullensvang are registered as bankrupt, which indicates relative financial stability. Nevertheless, there are several companies with negative EBITDA values, such as:

• Kramsjø As (Herand): -7% EBITDA margin.
• Glåmøgd As (Kinsarvik): -2% EBITDA margin.
• Jondal Matkanten As: 0% EBITDA margin.

Growth and decline:

• Asian Wok As (Odda): Has a high growth of 5% in sales and an EBITDA margin of 32%.
• Røldalsterassen As (Røldal): Has a sharp decline of 30% in sales, but a high EBITDA margin of 24%.

Conclusion: The industry has both stable and unstable companies, and it is important to carefully analyze financial data before investing or starting a business.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry in Ullensvang, there are both opportunities and challenges. The most notable development is the sharp decline in sales of 71% from 2024 to 2025, which may be due to external factors such as the pandemic or local economic conditions. Nevertheless, the number of employees has stabilized, and there are no bankruptcies in the sector. Odda is the most attractive area with high activity and good infrastructure. Entrepreneurs should consider focusing on specialized restaurants or cafes, which may have better margins than traditional restaurants. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations and assess market challenges before starting.

Outlook for Broader Industry (Restaurant / Cafe)

Comparison with the parent category:

The parent category restaurant / cafe has 30 companies in Ullensvang, which shows that the industry is less extensive than the broader category. The parent category had a sales growth of 17.6% from 2016 to 2017, but a sharp decline of 52.4% from 2024 to 2025. In contrast, the restaurant industry had a sharper decline of 71% in the same period. The parent category also had a higher number of employees (212 in 2026) compared to the restaurant industry (156 in 2026).

Peer companies in the parent category:

These companies show that there are both successful and challenged companies in the parent category, which can give entrepreneurs important insights on how to build a stable business.

The restaurant industry in Ullensvang has both strengths and weaknesses. It has a relatively stable number of employees, but a sharp decline in sales in 2025. Odda is the most active area, and there are opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to establish themselves in a district with high tourist activity. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of financial challenges, such as negative EBITDA values at some companies. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations and assess market challenges before starting. With the right strategy, the restaurant industry in Ullensvang can still be an attractive sector for new businesses.