The Restaurant Industry in Vågå: Current Situation and Future Prospects

Overview of the Restaurant Industry in Vågå

The restaurant industry in Vågå is a small but dynamic sector with 9 registered companies. In recent years, the industry has been marked by significant variations in both sales and number of employees. In 2024, there was a dramatic decline in sales (from NOK 7.1 million to NOK 51,000), while the number of employees has been declining over the past five years. The broader category restaurant / café in the municipality has 12 companies, indicating room for development within café and specialty restaurants.

Key figures in 2026:

• Number of companies: 9
• Number of employees: 19
• Sales: NOK 52,000 (2025: NOK 52,000)
• Economic development: Greater variations than in the broader category.

Economic Trends in the Restaurant Industry

Sales and Employees Over Time:

Key Points:

• Sales experienced a 99.3% decline from 2023 to 2024, but stabilized in 2025.
• The number of employees increased by 152.9% from 2022 to 2023, but has since decreased by 20.8% from 2025 to 2026.
• The broader category restaurant / café had a higher sales volume (NOK 10.7M in 2016 vs. NOK 9.4M in the restaurant sector).

Conclusion: The industry has been marked by significant variations, with a dramatic decline in 2024. The broader category has a more stable development.

Companies in the Restaurant Industry

In Vågå, there are 9 registered companies in the restaurant sector. Most are organized as AS (3 companies), while one is ANS (Ans Veistadhjørnet). The most interesting companies are:

1. Bokhandel'n Kafe As (Halland 2, Vågå):

• Sales: NOK 7.3M (2025)
• EBITDA: -NOK 3.2M
• Employees: 0
• Characteristics: High sales volume, but negative EBITDA.

1. Besstrond As (Vågå):

• Sales: NOK 52,000 (2025)
• EBITDA: -NOK 105,000
• Employees: 0
• Characteristics: Low value, but positive sales volume.

1. Visit Gjende As (Tessanden):

• Employees: 16
• Characteristics: Largest number of employees in the sector.

Organizational Forms:

• AS: 3 companies, 26 employees
• ANS: 1 company, 0 employees

Geographical Distribution of Activity

The restaurant industry in Vågå is distributed across two main areas:

1. Tessanden (1 company):

• Visit Gjende As (Sjodalsvegen 3093)
• Employees: 16
• Sales: NOK 0
• Characteristics: Largest number of employees in the municipality.

1. Vågå (2 companies):

• Veistad Kafé As (Brennvegen 2)
• Veistadhjørnet As (Brennvegen 2)
• Employees: 10 total
• Sales: NOK 0
• Characteristics: Focus on cafes and small restaurants.

Conclusion: Tessanden has the most activity, but Vågå is an important geographical market for cafes.

Operational Dynamics and Bankruptcy Statistics

Bankruptcy Statistics:

• No bankruptcy registrations in the restaurant industry in Vågå over the past five years.
• Stability: No companies are registered as bankruptcy receivers.

Operational Results:

• Bokhandel'n Kafe As has an EBITDA margin of -41% (2025), indicating significant operational challenges.
• Besstrond As has an EBITDA margin of -201% (2025), but a positive sales volume.

Conclusion: The industry has been marked by negative operational results for some companies, but there are no bankruptcy registrations. This indicates that companies have been able to remain in operation, despite weak economics.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs in the Restaurant Industry

Short-term Challenges:

• Sales experienced a 99.3% decline from 2023 to 2024, indicating a significant decline in activity.
• Low number of employees (19 in 2026) indicates that the industry has been marked by a decline in workforce.

Long-term Opportunities:

• Greater potential in the broader category (restaurant / café) with 12 companies.
• Low competition level in Vågå, which can provide room for new companies.
• Nature and tourism in Vågå can provide a unique advantage for restaurants and cafes.

Recommendation: Entrepreneurs should consider focusing on cafes and specialty restaurants, which have greater potential in the broader category.

Outlook for the Broader Category (Restaurant / Café)

Short-term Trends:

• Sales in the broader category (NOK 10.7M in 2016) are somewhat higher than in the restaurant sector (NOK 9.4M in 2016).
• Number of employees in the broader category has been more stable (61 employees in 2023 vs. 43 employees in the restaurant sector).

Long-term Opportunities:

• More companies in the broader category (12 companies) indicate room for development within cafes and specialty restaurants.
• Peer companies in the broader category include:
• Berglund Catering Og Kafé (café)
• Brimi Arne (sushi restaurant)

Conclusion: The broader category has a more stable development and a greater number of companies, which can provide entrepreneurs with better opportunities to establish themselves.

The restaurant industry in Vågå is a small but dynamic sector with both challenges and opportunities. In recent years, the industry has been marked by significant variations in sales and number of employees, with a dramatic decline in 2024. The broader category restaurant / café has a more stable development and a greater number of companies, which can provide entrepreneurs with better opportunities to establish themselves.

Recommendation: Entrepreneurs should consider focusing on cafes and specialty restaurants, which have greater potential in the broader category. It is also important to consider the location in Vågå, which has a unique natural environment and tourist-friendly areas.

SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations and develop strategies to establish themselves in the restaurant industry in Vågå.