Sushi Restaurants in Bergen: Market Analysis, Companies, and Outlook

Executive Summary

The sushi restaurant sector in Bergen is a dynamic but relatively small segment within the broader restaurant and café industry. There are 37 registered companies in this sector, with combined sales exceeding 244 million NOK in 2024. Sales grew until 2024 but fell by 11.8% in 2025. Employment trends have been more stable, with an increase from 568 to 691 employees between 2025 and 2026. The industry includes both successful companies with high EBITDA margins and some bankruptcies, highlighting both potential and risk for new entrants.

Economic Overview

Sales and Employment Development:

Key Metrics:

• The average EBITDA margin for the industry was 8% (2024), higher than the average for the restaurant industry in Bergen (approximately 6%).
• One bankruptcy has been recorded in the industry (Nv Investments As), but most companies have positive operating results and high debt ratios.
• Companies such as Isushi Nyborg (171 employees) and Sabrura Galleriet (52 employees) constitute significant portions of the industry's employment and sales.

Companies in the Industry

Registered Companies:

• Sixteen companies are registered in the industry, with AS as the most common organizational form (28 companies total in the municipality).
• The most well-known companies include:
• Isushi Nyborg (171 employees, 99.8M in operating result)
• Sumo Vestre Torggate As (67 employees, 3.2M in EBITDA)
• Sabrura Galleriet As (52 employees, 0 in sales – possibly a suspended company)
• Bankruptcy: One company bankruptcy has been recorded (Nv Investments As), but none of the listed companies in the industry are bankrupt.
• New Companies: Sabrura Rådal As (founded 2025) and Digg Pizza Bergen Storsenter (founded 2025) indicate that the industry still has growth potential.

Business Geography

Distribution of Companies in the Municipality:

Cluster Analysis: Bergen is the hub for the industry, with 17 companies and 397 employees. Ulset and Loddefjord also have significant activity, while Rådal, Fyllingsdalen, and Kokstad have very few companies or no activity.

Business Dynamics

Bankruptcy and Operating Results:

• One bankruptcy has been recorded in the industry (Nv Investments As), but none of the listed companies in the industry are bankrupt.
• Operating Results: Most companies have positive operating results, with the highest EBITDA margin in Ulset (15%) and the lowest in Laksevåg (-10%).
• Debt Ratio: The average debt ratio is 134.0M NOK, with the highest debt in companies such as Isushi Nyborg (27.2M NOK) and Sabrura Galleriet (0 NOK).
• Operational Risk: Companies with low EBITDA margins (such as Laksevåg) and high debt ratios may be more vulnerable to financial challenges.

Outlook for Entrepreneurs

Market Development:

• Sales increased significantly from 2020 to 2024 (+27.7%), but fell by 11.8% in 2025. This may be due to economic pressure or bankruptcies in the industry.
• Employment trends have been more stable, with an increase from 568 to 691 employees between 2025 and 2026, indicating growth in the sector.
• Competition: With 37 companies in the industry, it is important to differentiate through unique offerings, quality, or location.
• Location: Bergen and Ulset are the most attractive areas for new companies, with high sales and employment.
• SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find optimal addresses in Bergen for sushi restaurants, based on market data and economic expectations.

Comparison with the Restaurant/Café Industry:

• The broader restaurant sector in Bergen has 632 companies, while sushi restaurants account for only 37 of these. This shows that sushi is a relatively small sub-sector.
• Sales: The broader sector had sales of 3.44M NOK in 2024, while sushi restaurants had 244.0M NOK – a significant difference in volume.
• EBITDA Margin: The broader sector had an average EBITDA margin of 6%, while sushi restaurants had 8%, indicating better economic results in this sub-sector.
• Peer Companies: Examples of companies in the broader sector include:
• Select Service Partner As Avd Bergen Lufthavn Flesland (247.8M NOK in sales, 21.9M NOK in EBITDA)
• Torget Hotelldrift As (84.1M NOK in sales, 13.8M NOK in EBITDA)
• As Bryggestuen Bryggeloftet (102.2M NOK in sales, 13.4M NOK in EBITDA)
• Conclusion: Sushi restaurants have better economic results than the average in the broader sector, but are less competitive due to their small size.

Conclusion

The sushi restaurant sector in Bergen is an important but relatively small segment within the broader restaurant industry. With 37 companies and combined sales exceeding 244 million NOK in 2024, the industry shows potential for growth. However, it is important to be aware of bankruptcies and operational risks, especially for companies with low EBITDA margins. Entrepreneurs should consider locating in Bergen or Ulset, where there is the most activity, and focus on differentiation to compete with the 37 existing companies. SmartGrunder can help find optimal addresses and assess economic expectations for new companies in the industry.