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April 8th, 2014

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When it comes to the number of jobs created in Denmark since the financial crisis, the nations’ restaurants are far ahead of the pack, according to a new report from Berlingske Research.

The report – based on statistics from Danmarks Statistik – showed that Denmark’s estimated 14,300 restaurants have hired 7,500 people – equal to about 5,300 full-time jobs – since 2009.

In comparison, the pharmaceutical and online shopping industries have created 2,000 and 1,500 new jobs respectively during the same time period.

According to the restaurant industry association, Horesta, the restaurant business employs lots of younger people and foreign workers.

“The future of the industry looks bright,” Katja Østergaard, the head of Horesta, told Berlingske newspaper.

“The Danes are spending more money going out to eat, and Danish restaurants like Noma, MASH, Sticks’n Sushi and Jensens Bøfhus are international successes.”

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Chain restaurants doing well
In 2012, 73,000 people worked in an industry that enjoyed a turnover of 34 billion kroner, a 14 percent increase since 2007. In particular, the nation’s 500 or so chain and concept restaurants have led the way.

“The chains have a proven concept and they can utilise the benefits of larger-scale operations while procuring, marketing and administrating,” Østergaard said. “That’s why they often fare better than the average restaurant.”

The latest Horesta report showed that McDonald's is still the largest chain with 89 restaurants, while the largest Danish-owned chain is Sunset Boulevard with 45 restaurants, Joe & The Juice with 28 restaurants, and the roadside diner Monarch with 18 restaurants.

About 2,000 restaurants open up in Denmark every year, and almost just as many end up closing, although few close due to bankruptcy.