Gurunavi

Basic Information

Stock Code
2440
Industry
Services
Category Detail
Internet Site Operations
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
October 1989
Listing Year
April 2005
Official Website
https://www.gnavi.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Overview

Gurunavi is a Japanese restaurant information website operator founded in 1989 and a major domestic player with restaurant sales promotion support as its main business.

Current Situation

Gurunavi recorded consolidated sales of approximately 32.7 billion yen and ordinary income of approximately 1.3 billion yen in FY2019, achieving stable earnings. Its main service is promotion support for restaurants, with advertising revenue from paid member stores accounting for about 90% of total revenue. It boasts the largest number of listed stores in Japan, with approximately 500,000 listed stores and about 56,000 paid member stores. Through its capital and business alliance with Rakuten, it has strengthened customer attraction via integrated customer bases and ID linkage. In 2023, it changed its site name to 'Rakuten Gurunavi' to advance brand integration. In addition to gourmet information, it is promoting diversification into weddings, delivery, multi-language tourist guides, and more, while focusing on DX support for the restaurant industry. For differentiation from competitors, it leverages strengths in BtoB advertising revenue, with new customer acquisition and member store satisfaction improvement as key pillars of management. In recent years, it has actively expanded the 'Gurunavi Pay' payment service and inbound services for foreign visitors, aiming for business growth. It has also been recognized for technological innovation and social contributions, such as IT awards for addressing social issues.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Launched the comprehensive delivery site 'Gurunavi Delivery' in 2004.
  • Holds over 10 million users through ID linkage via Rakuten Group capital and business alliance.
  • Won 1st place in the store search category at Web of the Year in 2006.
  • Generates 90% of revenue from a business model specialized in restaurant sales promotion.
  • President Akirō Sugihara is an IT and marketing expert from Rakuten.
  • Promotes food culture dissemination through 'Dish of the Year' selection via Gurunavi Research Institute.
  • Early launch of multi-language guide services for inbound tourists.
  • Launched restaurant payment service 'Gurunavi Pay' in 2017.
  • Spun off and became independent from transportation advertising agency NKB.
  • Acquired Joy Joy Co., Ltd. as a subsidiary to enter wedding information.
  • Operating official search site for Club Michelin since 2015.
  • Differentiates from Tabelog etc. with proprietary CGM and member store fee model.
  • Transferred food delivery business in 2019 to focus on promotion.
  • Established special subsidiary Gurunavi Support Associates.
  • Collaborates with BS-TBS mini-program 'Highball Banzai!' for information dissemination.

Hidden Connections

  • Accelerated online service collaboration through Rakuten Group's capital participation.
  • Major shareholders include transportation-related companies like Odakyu Electric Railway and Tokyo Metro.
  • Historical background of independence from an NKB division.
  • Collaborations with local governments and airlines for inbound tourism information services.
  • Built profitability with a business model specialized in restaurant promotion.
  • Strength in advertising agency operations leveraging IT technology and customer base.
  • Pursuing integrated business of gourmet and wedding information.
  • Focus on creating social value, such as IT award for social issue resolution.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing demand for digital transformation in restaurants
  • Customer base expansion through strengthened Rakuten Group collaboration
  • Recovery of inbound foreign visitors and re-invigoration of inbound market
  • Service revenue expansion through payment service普及
  • Growing needs for IT utilization and efficiency in restaurant industry
  • Service diversification to match diverse lifestyles
  • Stabilization of advertising revenue through maintenance and expansion of member stores
  • Improved social credibility through sustainability efforts
  • Market share expansion through new customer segment development
  • Service personalization through data utilization
  • Increasing demand for related services accompanying industry growth
  • Expansion of hybrid online-offline services

Strategic Goals

  • Promote platform integration within Rakuten Group
  • Maintain and expand member stores to domestic largest scale
  • Market leader in IT solutions for restaurants
  • Achieve top industry share in services for inbound visitors
  • Enhance customer value through DX promotion in restaurant industry
  • Achieve diversification and high value-added advertising revenue
  • Strengthen sustainable management and social contributions
  • Strengthen revenue base through payment service expansion
  • Service innovation through AI and big data utilization
  • Business expansion contributing to regional revitalization and local creation

Business Segments

Restaurant Promotion Support Services

Overview
Various promotion services to support customer attraction and sales growth for restaurants.
Competitiveness
Extensive member store base as an industry leader
Customers
  • Restaurant Owners
  • Restaurant Chain Headquarters
  • Individual Restaurants
  • Local Stores
Products
  • Online Advertising Placement
  • Store Reservation Management System
  • Promotion Planning Proposals
  • Points Program

Payment Platform Services

Overview
Achieves customer convenience and operational efficiency for businesses through multi-payment support.
Competitiveness
Built-in payment service platform
Customers
  • Restaurant Owners
  • Retailers
  • Restaurant Chains
Products
  • Multi-Payment Service
  • Payment Terminal Installation
  • Payment Data Analysis

Tourism Support for Inbound Foreign Visitors

Overview
Provides optimized restaurant and tourism information and collaborations for inbound foreign visitors.
Competitiveness
Strengthened collaboration with Rakuten Group
Customers
  • Foreign Travelers
  • Tourist Facilities
  • Local Governments
  • Tourism Industry Companies
Products
  • Multi-Language Restaurant Information Site
  • Tourist Guide App
  • Regional Tourism Collaboration Projects

Wedding Information Services

Overview
Dedicated services centered on wedding venue search and reservations.
Competitiveness
Long track record and industry network
Customers
  • Couples Planning Weddings
  • Wedding Venue Operators
  • Bridal-Related Companies
Products
  • Wedding Venue Introduction Site
  • Wedding Plan Support
  • Related Service Collaborations

Food Market Online Sales Services

Overview
Supports promotion of e-commerce sales and market expansion for restaurant-related products.
Competitiveness
Strong ties with the restaurant industry
Customers
  • Sellers of Restaurant-Related Products
  • Consumers
  • Restaurants
Products
  • Food E-commerce Platform
  • Regional Specialty Product Sales
  • New Product Promotion

Restaurant Promotion Planning

Overview
Supports promotion planning for restaurant customer acquisition from conception to operation.
Competitiveness
Abundant restaurant data and track record
Customers
  • Restaurants
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Media Companies
Products
  • Campaign Planning
  • Advertising Production
  • Event Operation Support

IT/Digital Support

Overview
Services to support IT adoption and digital promotion for restaurant stores.
Competitiveness
Restaurant industry-specialized IT solutions
Customers
  • Restaurant Owners
  • Small and Medium Enterprises
  • Chain Operation Headquarters
Products
  • Store Website Creation
  • Reservation and Customer Management System
  • Digital Marketing Support

Advertising Agency Support

Overview
Supports internet advertising sales and effectiveness maximization.
Competitiveness
Expertise and experience in web advertising
Customers
  • Advertising Agencies
  • Media Companies
  • Advertisers
Products
  • Advertising Space Provision
  • Advertising Effectiveness Analysis
  • Customer Data Utilization

Restaurant Data Provision Services

Overview
Provides data analysis and information on restaurants and consumers.
Competitiveness
Possesses large-scale industry information
Customers
  • Marketing Companies
  • Restaurant Industry Research Institutions
  • Government Agencies
Products
  • Store Database Provision
  • Market Research
  • Consumer Behavior Analysis

Restaurant Education Support Services

Overview
Education support aimed at improving restaurant management and service capabilities.
Competitiveness
Programs and instructors rich in industry knowledge
Customers
  • Restaurant Owners
  • Employees
  • Restaurant Industry Associations
Products
  • Training Programs
  • Online Courses
  • Know-How Provision

Regional Revitalization Projects

Overview
Supports revitalization of local restaurant and tourism industries.
Competitiveness
Strong consulting capabilities in regional collaboration
Customers
  • Local Governments
  • Regional Chambers of Commerce
  • Local Companies
Products
  • Regional Promotion Planning
  • Tourism Information Dissemination
  • Event Collaboration Support

Industry-Specialized Marketing Consulting

Overview
Provides marketing strategy formulation specialized for the restaurant industry.
Competitiveness
Specialist consultants well-versed in industry trends
Customers
  • Restaurant Groups
  • Marketing Companies
  • Venture Companies
Products
  • Market Analysis
  • Brand Strategy Development
  • Promotion Plan Formulation

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Industry-leading number of listed and member stores
  • Strong capital and business alliance with Rakuten Group
  • Diverse restaurant-related service offerings
  • High brand recognition and customer base
  • Abundant customer data and analytical capabilities
  • Proven track record in specialized promotion support
  • Service expansion through IT technology adoption
  • Strengthened services for inbound foreign visitors
  • Stable advertising revenue model
  • Infrastructure for payment services
  • Long-term trust relationships with the industry
  • Expertise in local and regional collaborations
  • Award-winning technological capabilities and innovation
  • Services accommodating a wide range of customer segments
  • Risk diversification through multi-segment strategy

Competitive Advantages

  • Revenue structure centered on restaurant-specialized advertising income
  • High user convenience via Rakuten ID linkage
  • Solid relationships with abundant member stores
  • Differentiation through multi-language support and inbound visitor services
  • Differentiation via new services and payment introductions
  • Strong site brand and industry recognition
  • Implementation of online-to-offline promotion linkages
  • Proposal strength and trust from years of industry experience
  • Possession of industry-largest store database
  • Multi-faceted business expansion including group subsidiaries
  • Customer base expansion through Rakuten collaboration
  • Capabilities in specialized marketing consulting
  • Service quality improvement through technological innovation
  • IT excellence award in social issue resolution
  • Support for sales expansion across diverse channels

Threats

  • Intense competition with rival gourmet sites like Tabelog
  • Risk of advertising decline due to economic fluctuations in restaurant industry
  • Impact on tourism services from reduced inbound foreign visitors
  • Intensifying technological innovation competition in restaurant support services
  • Impact of regulatory changes on advertising operations
  • IT security risks and personal information protection measures
  • Revenue fluctuation risks from external platform dependency
  • Market pressure from emerging digital services
  • Challenges in rapidly responding to diversifying customer needs
  • Revenue fluctuations from infectious disease impacts on restaurant industry
  • Ongoing risk of advertising budget reduction trends
  • Technological burdens from advanced data management and analysis

Innovations

2023: Rakuten Gurunavi Brand Unification

Overview
Changed site name to 'Rakuten Gurunavi' to strengthen brand linkage.
Impact
Improved convenience for both users and member stores

2022: Gurunavi Pay Expansion

Overview
Full-scale rollout of multi-payment compatible payment service.
Impact
Contributes to improved payment convenience for member stores and increased handling fee income

2021: Enhanced Multi-Language Site for Inbound Foreign Visitors

Overview
Expanded features and multi-language support for LIVE JAPAN PERFECT GUIDE.
Impact
Strengthens inbound customer acquisition support and contributes to business growth

2020: Restaurant DX Support System Development

Overview
Renewed integrated store support system from reservations to promotions.
Impact
Advanced operational efficiency and customer management for restaurants

2023: AI-Powered Planning Support Introduction

Overview
Introduced AI analysis in marketing to enhance promotion effectiveness.
Impact
Improved proposal accuracy and member store satisfaction

2024: Digital Advertising Effectiveness Analysis Tool Renewal

Overview
Introduced real-time advertising effectiveness analysis and optimization tool.
Impact
Contributes to improved advertising spend efficiency for member stores

2022: SDGs Promotion Structure Strengthening

Overview
Established dedicated department to promote environmentally conscious and social contribution activities.
Impact
Achieved improved corporate value and social evaluation

2023: Cloud-Based Reservation System Renewal

Overview
Launched next-generation reservation management system using cloud services.
Impact
Reduced store operational burden and enabled functional expansion

2021: Online Event Collaboration Service Launch

Overview
Introduced bidirectional online event hosting functionality for restaurants and users.
Impact
Creates new customer touchpoints

2020: IT Excellence Award (Social Issue Resolution Category)

Overview
Awarded for IT services contributing to restaurant industry issue resolution.
Impact
Contributes to improved corporate evaluation and trust

Sustainability

  • Campaigns to promote environmental consideration at member restaurants
  • Promotion of paperless operations and electronic contracts
  • Participation in food education and local community support initiatives
  • Setting and execution of in-house CO2 emissions reduction targets
  • Promotion of diversity and employment of people with disabilities
  • Support for restaurant industry efficiency through IT services
  • Food risk reduction support through thorough safety and hygiene management
  • Active promotion and encouragement of participation in social contribution activities
  • Joint response to environmental and social issues with business partners
  • Work style reform through promotion of remote work
  • Advancement of women's empowerment projects
  • Support for disaster prevention and regional revitalization through local collaborations