The Restaurant Industry in Verdal: Companies, Statistics, and Outlook

Verdal has an active restaurant sector with 14 registered companies in the municipality. In recent years, the industry has shown a mix of growth and decline, with total sales growth of +6.0% from 2024 to 2025. Employment trends have been more volatile, with a decline of -18.7% from 2025 to 2026. The sector is dominated by AS companies (10 companies), with some ANS and KBO organizations. The most prominent companies include Lille New York As, Siciliana Restaurant As, and Randis Gatekjøkken As, which have higher EBITDA margins compared to the average.

From 2016 to 2025, sales in Verdal's restaurant industry grew by +29.7% (from NOK 33.6M to NOK 43.4M). Employment trends have been more uneven, with a peak of 127 employees in 2022 and a decline to 87 employees in 2026. In the last two years, sales grew by +6.0% (2024→2025), while employment changed by -15.4% (2023→2024). This shows a mix of stable sales growth and more pronounced fluctuations in employment levels.

The following companies are registered in Verdal's restaurant industry:

• Lille New York As (Jernbanegata 21, Verdal): 16 employees, EBITDA NOK 6.0K, sales NOK 5.9M
• Vuku Gatekjøkken As (Vuku): 14 employees, EBITDA NOK 308.0K, sales NOK 4.3M
• Mei & Dei As (Jernbanegata 11, Verdal): 13 employees, EBITDA NOK 89.0K, sales NOK 4.4M
• Siciliana Restaurant As (Volhaugvegen 16, Verdal): 9 employees, EBITDA NOK 1.2M, sales NOK 14.8M
• Randis Gatekjøkken As (Kassefabrikkvegen 1, Verdal): 8 employees, EBITDA NOK 599.0K, sales NOK 3.2M

Most companies are AS entities, with an average EBITDA margin of 6% and an average gross margin of 64%.

Activity is distributed as follows within Verdal:

1. Verdal: 7 companies, 59 employees, sales NOK 39.6M, operating profit NOK 2.2M
2. Vuku: 3 companies, 27 employees, sales NOK 4.3M, operating profit NOK 283.0K

Verdal has a more developed sector with higher sales and more employees compared to Vuku. Siciliana Restaurant As in Verdal has the highest sales (NOK 14.8M) and highest EBITDA margin (7%) in the municipality.

Within Verdal's restaurant industry, there are no registered bankruptcies among the 14 companies. However, some companies show negative figures, such as Verdal Spiseri As (total equity NOK -323.0K) and Arma Holding As (operating loss NOK -23.0K). This indicates that some companies may face economic challenges, even though the industry is generally stable.

For entrepreneurs in Verdal, the restaurant industry is an attractive sector with sales growth (6.0% from 2024 to 2025) and a good level of EBITDA margins (average 6%). However, there are competitive companies such as Siciliana Restaurant As and Lille New York As, which have higher sales and better financial results. Entrepreneurs should focus on differentiation, such as specializing in takeaway (e.g., Siam Takeaway As) or quality-focused solutions.

In the broader category of restaurant / café in Verdal, there are 17 companies, compared to 14 in the restaurant sector. Sales in the category grew by +5.6% from 2024 to 2025 (NOK 43.5M to NOK 45.9M), while the employment change was -19.9% (2025→2026). Peer companies in the category include:

• China Palace As (café, Jernbanegata 11): EBITDA NOK 633.0K, sales NOK 2.6M
• Victoria Verdal As (burger restaurant, Vinne 51): EBITDA NOK 371.0K, sales NOK 6.5M
• Pizzabakeren Verdal (pizza delivery, Konsul Moes gate 8): EBITDA NOK 0, sales NOK 0

The broader category has more stable sales growth but lower EBITDA margins compared to the restaurant sector.

Verdal has a stable, growing restaurant industry with good economic development. With sales growth of +6.0% and average EBITDA margins of 6%, there are good conditions for new companies. Entrepreneurs should, however, be aware of competition from established companies and focus on differentiation. SmartGrunder can help find suitable locations and assess market challenges in the municipality.