HUB

Basic Information

Stock Code
3030
Industry
Retail
Category Detail
Restaurants
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
May 1998
Listing Year
April 2006
Official Website
https://www.pub-hub.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
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Overview

HUB is a British-style pub chain operator established in 1998, centered in the Greater Tokyo Area with a unique pre-pay standing bar style, and is the leading company in spreading pub culture in Japan.

Current Situation

HUB achieved standalone sales of approximately 12 billion yen and operating profit of about 700 million yen in the fiscal year ending February 2020. The number of stores for its main British-style pubs 'HUB' and '82 ALE HOUSE' exceeds 100, mainly in Tokyo with expansion in Kanto and Kansai regions. Efficient operations through the cash-upfront delivery format and promotion of unique pub culture are key strengths, with support from foreign customers and English learners. Recently, it has expanded regionally, including an outlet at Fukuoka Yahoo Auction Dome. Tech Growth Capital under Mixi is a major shareholder, with business collaboration underway. Moving forward, it is focusing on new customer acquisition through low-alcohol beverages and anime tie-ups, while advancing digital customer management and efficiency improvements. It has changed to the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard market, with a medium- to long-term growth strategy including store expansion, brand strengthening, and regional contribution activities.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Pioneer in introducing British cash-upfront delivery format to Japan.
  • Known as a popular pub for English learners to interact with foreigners.
  • Opened the first British-style pub in Fukuoka Yahoo Auction Dome stadium.
  • Founded based on Daiei Group founder Masatoshi Ito's pub culture promotion vision.
  • Rare case of changing from Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime to Standard market.
  • Implemented anime collaboration events at about 20 stores, popular with youth.
  • Strategic store openings focused on urban entertainment districts and near stations.
  • High hourly customer turnover characteristic of standing-drink format.
  • Operating profit margin exceeds industry average due to efficient management.
  • DX promotion via business alliances for IT innovation in store operations.
  • Continuously develops new formats and menus to establish pub culture in Japan.
  • Some stores host English events as venues for cultural exchange.
  • Post-COVID, focus started on takeout and delivery services.
  • Rare in food service industry with high proportion of foreign customers.
  • Primarily nighttime operations supporting urban nightlife vibrancy.

Hidden Connections

  • Deep ties to major retail due to establishment as part of Daiei founder's food service strategy.
  • Alliance with IT industry capital and expertise since becoming Mixi subsidiary.
  • Historically strong major shareholder ties with Royal Holdings, cooperation in food service.
  • Differentiation through marketing targeted at foreign communities and English learners.
  • Store at Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks home base, strengthening sports fan relations.
  • Leader in spreading British pub culture in Japan, model for other companies.
  • Local community engagement with collaborations and regional event support.
  • Growth model attracting attention not only from food service but investors and IT sectors.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Strengthened store expansion centered on Tokyo and Kansai
  • Youth attendance growth via digital marketing
  • Rising demand for low-alcohol and health-oriented beverages
  • Expansion of English conversation events due to multicultural exchange needs
  • Increased visits from food service recovery post-COVID
  • New customer attraction via anime and content collaborations
  • Penetration of local community services
  • DX advancement utilizing Mixi Group technology
  • Expansion of sports viewing-linked stores
  • Introduction of flexible work systems responding to workstyle reforms

Strategic Goals

  • Achieve over 150 domestic stores
  • Realize sales over 20 billion yen
  • Elevate brand recognition to national top class
  • Sustainable operations aiming for 50% environmental load reduction
  • Complete customer experience enhancement and operational efficiency via DX
  • Establish social position as venue for multicultural exchange
  • Maintain employee satisfaction at 90% or higher
  • Strengthen health対応 with expanded non-alcohol menus
  • Enhance community collaborations and expand social contributions
  • Establish sustainable business continuity resilient to crises like COVID

Business Segments

Services for Food Service Industry

Overview
Consulting and service provision to food service-related companies.
Competitiveness
Unique pub culture operation expertise
Customers
  • Restaurant Chains
  • Restaurant Owners
  • Event Planning Companies
  • Sports Facility Operators
Products
  • Store Operation Know-how
  • Beverage Supply
  • Event Promotion
  • Food Menu Proposals

Corporate Welfare Support

Overview
Private services and interaction support for corporate events.
Competitiveness
Pub space's communication enhancement power
Customers
  • Corporate Welfare Staff
  • Employee Interaction Groups
Products
  • Private Party Services
  • English Conversation Events

Beverage Wholesale

Overview
Wholesale beverage sales to restaurants.
Competitiveness
Exclusive brands and import rights
Customers
  • Liquor Retailers
  • Local Retail Stores
Products
  • Craft Beer
  • Exclusive Imported Liquor
  • Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Efficiency of cash-upfront delivery method
  • Strong brand recognition of British pub culture
  • Diverse customer base including English learners
  • Stable network of over 100 stores
  • Capital and business alliance with Mixi Group
  • Regional expansion strategy
  • Unique event planning and operation capabilities
  • Diverse beverage brand lineup
  • Consistent revenue growth trend
  • Superior location advantage centered in central Tokyo

Competitive Advantages

  • Pioneering role in rooting pub culture in Japan
  • Rapid customer turnover via cash-upfront delivery
  • Unique customer community of foreigners and English learners
  • Multiple brands and formats covering wide customer segments
  • Digital integration and new customer development via Mixi subsidiary
  • High foot traffic from multi-store expansion in urban entertainment districts
  • Differentiation through abundant UK direct-import beers and exclusive items
  • Enhanced customer loyalty through events and tie-ups
  • Ongoing profitability improvements via efficient operations
  • Early product development responding to low-alcohol demand

Threats

  • Market shrinkage risk from youth alcohol avoidance
  • Impact of labor shortages in the food service industry
  • Risk of reduced visits due to novel infectious diseases and external factors
  • Intense competition from rival pubs and other dining chains
  • Potential tightening of alcohol beverage regulations
  • Challenges in adapting to regional consumer preference changes
  • Profit pressure from rising raw material prices
  • Risk of declining competitiveness from delayed digitalization
  • Impact on attendance from reduced foreign tourists
  • Increased operating costs from stricter environmental regulations

Innovations

2021: Business and Capital Alliance with Mixi

Overview
Entered business alliance with Mixi to advance new customer acquisition and digital initiatives.
Impact
Contributes to strengthening youth attendance and DX promotion.

2022: Expansion of Low-Alcohol Beverages

Overview
Expanded low-alcohol beverage lineup in response to health trends.
Impact
Successfully acquired new customer segments.

2023: Anime Tie-up Events Held

Overview
Hosted numerous attendance-boosting events linked with popular anime, generating buzz.
Impact
Contributed to increased youth attendance.

2024: Advancement of Digital Customer Management System

Overview
Implemented customer analysis and marketing efficiency via smartphone utilization.
Impact
Improved repeat rate and sales promotion effects.

Sustainability

  • Promotion of food waste reduction activities at stores
  • Use of recyclable materials with environmental consideration
  • Sustainable operations through collaboration with local communities
  • Employee health management and workplace improvements
  • Elimination of plastic straws and other environmental load reduction measures