The Restaurant Industry in Vindafjord: Current Situation and Future Outlook

Overview of the Restaurant Industry in Vindafjord

The restaurant industry in Vindafjord consists of 7 companies distributed across two main areas: Øvre Vats and Ølen. The economic development has been variable, with a significant sales and employment decline in 2017, followed by a gradual increase in recent years. Øvre Vats dominates the industry with a single company generating over 41 million NOK in sales and employing 23 people, while Ølen has a weaker presence with only 7 employees and no sales. The industry has also been marked by some companies with negative economic results, such as Fegna As, which reports an EBITDA of -169,000 NOK.

Sales and Employment Development (2016–2025):

• Sales: The industry reached a peak of 40.1 million NOK in 2016, but fell to 17.0 million NOK in 2021 before gradually rising to 40.5 million NOK in 2025. The most significant decline was in 2017 (-40.9%), while the most significant increase occurred in 2024 (+40.0%).
• Employment: The number of employees experienced a major decline in 2019 (from 41 to 14 employees), but stabilized after 2021 with an increase to 24 employees in 2026. The most significant increase was in 2021 (+113.3%), while the most significant decline was in 2022 (-56.2%).

Key Figures for 2025:

• Sales: 40.5 million NOK
• Employees: 17
• EBITDA margin: 1% (for Øvre Vats)
• Economic growth: +5.2% compared to 2024.

List of Companies in the Restaurant Industry in Vindafjord (2025):

Legal Form:

• AS (Limited Company): 2 companies, 30 employees, 41.2 M in operating income and 754.5 K in EBITDA.
• ENK (Sole Proprietorship): 3 companies, 0 employees, no sales or EBITDA.
• DA (Branch Company): 1 company, 0 employees, no sales or EBITDA.

Distribution of Activity in the Municipality:

Øvre Vats:

• The only company in the area is Knapphus Bensinstasjon As Avd Gatekjøkken, which generates over 41 million NOK in sales and employs 23 people. This company has high operating income (41.2 M) and an EBITDA margin of 1%.

Ølen:

• Has one company (Drømmen Din Drift As) with 7 employees, but no sales or EBITDA. The company was established in 2025 and has not yet achieved activity.

Bankruptcies and Economic Stability:

• Bankruptcies: No companies in the industry are registered as bankrupt in 2025. Nevertheless, there are some companies with negative economic results, such as Fegna As, which has an EBITDA of -169,000 NOK and a debt of 3.8 million NOK.

Economic Variation:

• Knapphus Bensinstasjon As Avd Gatekjøkken (Øvre Vats): Has a stable economy with high sales (41.1 M), operating income (41.2 M), and EBITDA (754.5 K). Sales increased by 11% in 2025 compared to 2024.
• Drømmen Din Drift As (Ølen): New company (2025) with no sales or EBITDA. Has not yet achieved activity.
• Fegna As: Has negative EBITDA and high debt, but is not registered as bankrupt. Had no sales in 2025, but had an operating income of 78,000 NOK in 2025.

Outlook for the Restaurant Industry in Vindafjord

Trend Analysis and Opportunities:

• Stable Sales: Although the industry experienced a significant sales decline in 2017 (-40.9%), it has gradually recovered with an increase of 5.2% in 2025. This indicates a gradual stabilization of the market.
• Employees: The number of employees has been unstable, with a major decline in 2019 (from 41 to 14 employees) and an increase in 2021 (+113.3%). In 2026, the number of employees is 24, indicating a gradual improvement.
• Competitiveness: Øvre Vats has a dominant position with a company generating over 41 million NOK in sales and employing 23 people. This company has a high EBITDA margin (1%) and a stable economy.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs:

• Opportunities: Øvre Vats has a solid economic foundation, which can give entrepreneurs an advantage in a stable market situation. There are also opportunities to develop new companies in Ølen, although it is currently weak.
• Outside Factors: The industry has been marked by variations, and entrepreneurs must be prepared for unpredictable market conditions. It is also important to be aware of competition from other companies in the area, such as Fegna As, which has negative economic results.

Outlook for the Broader Restaurant/Café Sector

Contrast Between the Restaurant Industry and the Restaurant/Café Sector:

• Number of Companies: The restaurant/café sector has 13 companies, while the restaurant industry has 7 companies. This indicates that the restaurant/café sector is more diversified.
• Employees: In 2026, the restaurant/café sector had 30 employees, while the restaurant industry had 24 employees. This shows that the restaurant/café sector has a slightly higher labor share.
• Sales: Sales in the restaurant/café sector increased by 5.2% in 2025, which is the same as the restaurant industry. This indicates that both sectors have similar economic development.

Peer Companies in the Restaurant/Café Sector:

• Biografen Cafè As Avd Vikedal: No sales or EBITDA, but has 0 employees.
• Isvik Smakstudio As: No sales or EBITDA, but has 0 employees.
• Padthai Thai Take Away Lamai Pata Berge: No sales or EBITDA, but has 5 employees.
• Vindafjord Pizzeria V/ Albaho: No sales or EBITDA, but has 0 employees.
• Vindafjord Pizzeria V/ Jamal Ali: No sales or EBITDA, but has 1 employee.
• Ølen Pizzeria Ghassan Mohammad: No sales or EBITDA, but has 0 employees.

Conclusion: The restaurant/café sector has a broader company base and a slightly higher labor share compared to the restaurant industry. This can provide entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry opportunities to develop in a more diversified sector.

The restaurant industry in Vindafjord has variable economic development, with a significant decline in 2017 and a gradual recovery in recent years. Øvre Vats has a dominant position with a company generating over 40 million NOK in sales and employing 23 people. This company has a stable economy with a high EBITDA margin (1%). Ølen has a weaker presence with one company that has not achieved activity. The industry has also been marked by some companies with negative economic results, such as Fegna As, which has an EBITDA of -169,000 NOK and a debt of 3.8 million NOK.

For entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry in Vindafjord, there may be opportunities in Øvre Vats, where there is a stable economic foundation. There are also opportunities to develop new companies in Ølen, although it is currently weak. Entrepreneurs must be prepared for unpredictable market conditions and competition from other companies in the area. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable addresses in Vindafjord for the restaurant industry, where natural development is taking place.