The Restaurant Industry in Volda: Outlook, Operations, and Development

The restaurant industry in Volda municipality has shown both challenges and gradual improvement over the past few years. With 11 registered companies in 2026, including a bankruptcy in Hornindal, the data indicates a dynamic industry with variations in operations. There has been a recorded increase in the number of employees from 48 to 66 between 2025 and 2026, while sales have grown from 13.0 million to 13.1 million in the same period. This suggests a gradual stabilization following a period of declining trends earlier. The industry has a mix of organizational forms, with 5 AS companies and 1 ENK, and there is a clear contrast between businesses with high and low income. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations in Volda for restaurant operations, with a focus on natural conditions and market potential.

Sales development for restaurant operations in Volda has been volatile in recent years. From a peak of 37.7 million in 2017, sales have fallen to 15.8 million in 2018 before gradually rising back to 13.1 million in 2026. The number of employees has shown a similar variation, with a decline from 90 in 2016 to a minimum of 45 in 2022, before rising to 66 in 2026. The most notable development is a 33.3% increase in the number of employees between 2024 and 2025, indicating an improvement in operations. This is an important indicator for entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the municipality.

In Volda, there are 11 companies registered in the restaurant industry, with a mix of organizational forms. The main companies include:

There is also a bankruptcy registered for Aisha Spiseri As in Hornindal, which shows that the industry has its challenges. The organizational forms indicate that 5 of the companies are AS, while one is ENK. This can affect both operations and financing in the industry.

Operations in the restaurant industry are most concentrated in Volda center, with 6 companies and 66 employees. There is a bankruptcy registered in Hornindal, but no further details about operations there. This shows that Volda center is the main area for restaurant operations, while Hornindal has a smaller presence. This can be an important factor for entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the municipality, as there is a clear concentration in the center.

The industry has been affected by bankruptcy, particularly Aisha Spiseri As in Hornindal. This company had 0 employees and 0 sales in 2026, showing a total decline. Although this is a single case, it shows that the industry can be vulnerable to external factors. There are, however, signs of stabilization, with an increase in the number of employees and sales in recent years. This suggests that the industry has a certain degree of resilience, even though there are challenges.

For entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the restaurant industry in Volda, the data shows a gradual improvement. Sales and the number of employees have increased in the last two years, indicating a stabilization after a period of decline. There are also opportunities to leverage the existing concentration in Volda center. This can provide benefits from existing customer bases and infrastructure. At the same time, entrepreneurs should be aware of bankruptcy risks, even though it is a single case in the data.

In comparison to the broader category 'restaurant / café' in Volda, the restaurant industry has a slightly different development. The broader category has 15 companies, while the restaurant industry has 11. Sales in the broader category have grown from 32.8 million in 2016 to 23.3 million in 2025, while the restaurant industry has a weaker development. There is also a smaller decline in the number of employees in the broader category. This shows that cafés and takeaway offerings may have a different dynamic than traditional restaurants. Examples of companies in the broader category include:

This shows that the broader category has both positive and negative examples, which entrepreneurs should be aware of.

The restaurant industry in Volda shows signs of gradual stabilization and improvement, with increasing sales and number of employees in recent years. This is an important indicator for entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the municipality. At the same time, it is important to be aware of bankruptcy risks and variations in operations. The broader category 'restaurant / café' shows a different dynamic, with both positive and negative examples. Entrepreneurs should consider both the opportunities and challenges in the industry before making decisions to establish themselves in Volda.