QB Net Holdings

Basic Information

Stock Code
6571
Industry
Services
Category Detail
Lifestyle Services
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
October 2014
Listing Year
March 2018
Official Website
http://www.qbnet.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Shuppin, Taya, Attrae, Owashi Reito, Convano, Art Nature, AB&Company, M.H. Group

Overview

QB Net Holdings, founded in 1995, is a leading company in the service industry, operating QB House brand haircut specialty stores domestically and internationally with strengths in time-saving and low prices.

Current Situation

QB Net Holdings operates a total of 691 stores in the fiscal year ending June 2024: 563 domestic and 128 overseas, with 2,882 consolidated employees and capital of approximately 1.352 billion yen. Recently, in February 2025, it raised cut prices to 1,400 yen to enhance customer convenience and profitability. Its flagship QB House business boasts the No. 1 sales in the hair and beauty industry with high turnover from 10-minute cuts, maintaining competitive superiority through system rationalization and a unique training curriculum. Overseas, it has expanded to Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the US, Canada, and Vietnam, aiming to increase overseas stores to 250 by the fiscal year ending June 2029 as part of its growth strategy. It has received awards such as the Porter Prize and the Japan Service Award JETRO Chairman's Award, earning recognition for service quality and business model innovation, along with high social trust. Moving forward, it will actively promote customer satisfaction initiatives such as introducing shareholder benefits and a monthly campaign for all ages. It is also advancing mixed barbershop-beauty salon store operations in compliance with laws and regulations, steadily building a foundation for sustainable growth.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • The first store has closed, but the brand continues to expand
  • Cumulative domestic visitors exceeded 300 million in March 2024
  • Color lights indicating congestion are installed in stores
  • Prices raised stepwise from 1,000 yen to 1,400 yen
  • QB stands for Quick Barber and Quick Beauty initials
  • Japanese brand with stores in 6 overseas countries
  • Operates stores compliant with both barbershop and beauty salon regulations
  • Simple equipment specialized for customer service is a feature
  • Consolidated employees approx. 2,882 (fiscal year ending June 2024)
  • Numerous stores in major stations nationwide

Hidden Connections

  • Store expansion based on founder Kunitoshi Konishi's network philosophy
  • Strengthened station stores through collaboration with JR East Retail Net
  • Stores support electronic money payments like Rakuten Edy and Suica
  • High industry evaluation with Good Design Award and Porter Prize wins
  • One of the companies representing Japan's quick-cut culture
  • Ticket vending machines renewed to handle various bills and coins
  • Deploying unique shell-type stores in Hong Kong's high-rent areas
  • Company name derives from symbolizing Time Management and Quick Service

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Increase in overseas stores and new market development
  • Expanding demand for time-saving services and broadening customer base
  • Improving customer convenience using IT technology
  • Uniform technology quality through education systems
  • Expansion of franchise networks
  • Measures corresponding to growing senior demand
  • Cost efficiency through space-saving store rollout
  • Flexible service provision adapting to social changes
  • Promotion of digital transformation
  • Maintaining competitive edge through brand strengthening

Strategic Goals

  • Expand overseas stores to over 250
  • Market share expansion by balancing price competitiveness and service quality
  • Thorough energy-saving store operations to reduce environmental impact
  • Establishment and continuous operation of advanced talent education system
  • Strengthening social contribution activities in collaboration with local communities
  • Nationwide rollout of digital reservation services
  • Development of new formats corresponding to diverse customer needs
  • Improved investor satisfaction through enhanced shareholder returns
  • Thorough compliance with laws and strengthened risk management
  • Enhanced recognition as a global brand

Business Segments

Franchise business support

Overview
Comprehensive support from franchisee setup to operations.
Competitiveness
Unique education system and efficient store operation model
Customers
  • Sole proprietors
  • Small businesses
  • Existing hair salons
  • Commercial facility owners
Products
  • Store operation manuals
  • Technical training programs
  • Brand licenses
  • Operation management systems

System unit sales

Overview
Provision of equipment supporting space-saving and efficient store operations.
Competitiveness
Space-saving through proprietary system units
Customers
  • Franchisees
  • New entrants
  • Commercial facilities
Products
  • Cut-specific equipment
  • Ticket vending machines
  • Customer guidance systems

Overseas business expansion support

Overview
Supports service rollout and brand building in overseas markets.
Competitiveness
Expansion leveraging Japanese technology and brand power
Customers
  • Overseas local subsidiaries
  • Overseas franchise partners
Products
  • Overseas store operation guidance
  • Local marketing support
  • Training program provision

Talent development and retraining business

Overview
Education business to maintain high-level technology and services.
Competitiveness
Efficient training system with continuous follow-up
Customers
  • Hairdressers
  • FC franchise staff
  • New hires
Products
  • Technical training
  • Customer service training
  • Stylist development programs

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • High profitability from fast turnover
  • Proprietary space-saving store design
  • Brand strength from nationwide and overseas expansion
  • Comprehensive talent development and training system
  • High-quality service management system
  • Barbershop and beauty salon operations compliant with laws
  • Efficient store operation systems
  • Aggressive overseas market entry
  • Pricing strategy emphasizing customer satisfaction
  • Adaptability to diverse customer segments
  • Long track record and trust
  • Brand image enhancement through awards
  • High reproducibility of techniques and standardization
  • Introduction of digital reservation systems
  • Abundant number of stores nationwide

Competitive Advantages

  • High turnover and low prices achieved with 10-minute cuts
  • Low-cost operations by utilizing space-saving locations like stations and commercial facilities
  • Homogenization of technology and services through in-house developed training curriculum
  • Brand recognition in multicultural markets from expansion to 6 overseas countries
  • Continuous strengthening of brand value and extensive franchise chain
  • High convenience with electronic money support and nationwide store congestion displays
  • Management efficiency and optimal resource allocation under holding company structure
  • Enhanced customer management with official app reservation system
  • Safety assurance through barbershop and beauty salon operations meeting legal requirements
  • Rapid store rollout possible with standardized store equipment
  • Customer expansion through senior discount campaigns
  • Brand rollout and service provision tailored to diverse customer segments
  • Unique customer service facilities like cleaning tools and color light displays
  • High industry evaluation and credibility backed by award history
  • Efficient revenue model with no waste using ticket vending machines

Threats

  • Intensifying price competition from new entrants
  • Risks from regulatory changes in the hair and beauty industry
  • Impacts from political and economic fluctuations in overseas markets
  • Risks from pandemic and infectious disease outbreaks
  • Decline in demand due to changes in customer lifestyles
  • Challenges in talent shortage and skill maintenance
  • Difficulty in differentiation from imitation by competitors
  • Decrease in consumer spending due to economic downturn
  • Increased operating costs from rising prices
  • Service stagnation from delays in technology adoption
  • Decline in market share from increased local competitors
  • Increased overseas expansion costs from exchange rate fluctuations

Innovations

2024: Phased pricing update

Overview
Sequentially raised prices in April 2023 and February 2025 to improve profitability.
Impact
Improved profitability while maintaining customer satisfaction

2024: Launch of smartphone-reservable QB PREMIUM

Overview
Rolled out new brand featuring reservation system and styling services.
Impact
Sales growth from improved customer convenience

2025: Overseas market expansion (Vietnam entry)

Overview
Opened stores in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh as the 6th country to aim for market expansion.
Impact
Expansion of overseas stores and internationalization of the brand

2025: Introduction of shareholder benefits program

Overview
Introduced shareholder benefits providing free haircut vouchers usable at domestic stores.
Impact
Strengthened shareholder base and improved investment appeal

2023: Expansion of monthly campaign to all ages

Overview
Expanded 100 yen discount for monthly use campaign to all ages.
Impact
Improved repeat rate and customer segment expansion

Sustainability

  • Reducing environmental impact through energy-saving equipment in stores
  • Fulfilling social responsibility through community-based services
  • Efforts to ensure diversity including promotion of disabled employment
  • Regional revitalization support through collaboration with local governments
  • Implementation of employee health promotion programs