HUB CO.,LTD.
3030・Standard Market・Retail Trade
Business
Hub Co., Ltd. is a British-style pub chain operator founded in 1980. It operates two brands, "HUB" (targeting people in their 20s–30s) and "82 (Eighty-Two)" (targeting people in their 30s–50s), with 107 stores as of the end of February 2025 (110 stores at fiscal year-end), located across Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, and Kyushu. The company primarily opens outlets in station-front entertainment districts, office areas, and commercial facilities, and has upheld since its founding the philosophy of offering British pub culture at "reasonable prices comparable to buying a weekly magazine." MIXI, Inc. is its largest shareholder and other affiliated company, and the company is listed on the Standard Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Business Model
All stores are directly operated, and a prepayment-based, principally self-service "cash-on-delivery system" is adopted to manage turnover efficiency and receivables risk. The largest component of sales is drinks such as beer and cocktails, complemented by British food items such as fish and chips. Customer traffic is driven by sports broadcasts and IP collaboration events, and the structure aims to raise per-customer spending and visit frequency by promoting repeat visits through a membership card app. Purchases for FY2026 (ending February 2026) totaled ¥3,148 million (alcoholic beverages: ¥1,774 million; food ingredients and other: ¥1,373 million).
Company Strengths
Sales expanded roughly 4.7-fold over four fiscal periods, from ¥2,386 million in FY2022 to ¥11,335 million in FY2026. Operating profit achieved a turnaround and growth, from ¥-1,185 million in FY2022 to ¥534 million in FY2026. The operating margin reached 4.7% in FY2026, numerically demonstrating the recovery in profitability.
Under the "SmasH47" strategy, the company has opened stores at major terminal stations, including in front of JR Hakata Station, JR Niigata Station, JR Osaka Station, and inside the ticket gates of JR Chiba Station. Regional diversification is also progressing, with 77.1% of locations in Eastern Japan and 22.9% in Western Japan. New store openings are also scheduled for April and July 2025, continuing to secure locational advantages.
The company has expanded broadcasts of content outside regular business hours, such as the Premier League and the Six Nations, as well as collaboration projects with IP content. By offering original cocktails and food menus themed around each piece of content, it simultaneously approaches new customer segments and promotes repeat visits from existing customers.
ENVALITH's Perspective
Performance Trend
Revenue grew for five consecutive fiscal years, rising from ¥2,386 million in FY2022 to ¥7,551 million in FY2023, ¥9,781 million in FY2024, ¥10,632 million in FY2025, and ¥11,335 million in FY2026. In Q1 of FY2027 (ending February 2027) (March-May 2026), the company achieved both revenue and profit growth, with revenue of ¥3,159 million (up 9.2% year-on-year), operating profit of ¥261 million (up 39.7%), and ordinary profit of ¥257 million (up 42.0%). While solid inbound demand and an improving employment and income environment provided external tailwinds, rising raw material costs, labor costs, and utility costs continued to weigh on results. Quarterly net profit came to ¥146 million, down 24.2% year-on-year, due to an increase in deferred tax adjustments (from -¥19 million in the same period of the prior year to ¥103 million in the current period). The full-year earnings forecast (revenue of ¥12,000 million, operating profit of ¥600 million, net profit of ¥330 million) remains unchanged, and Q1 progress rates of 26.3% for revenue and 43.6% for operating profit indicate generally steady progress.
Growth Strategy
Accelerating nationwide expansion through the "SmasH47" store opening strategy, aiming to achieve the vision of 200 stores by 2030 and the 50th anniversary of founding
A store expansion strategy targeting high-traffic locations across Japan (JR stations, commercial facilities, etc.). Already confirmed openings include HUB Asty Shizuoka in July 2026, HUB Dotonbori Nakaza Kuidaore Building in August 2026, HUB Amu Plaza Oita (tentative name) in autumn 2026, and a location near Takasaki Station in winter 2026. The medium-term plan targets 140 stores and net sales of ¥14,600 million by FY2027 (ending February 2027).
Expanding brand awareness among a broad customer base through tie-ups with IP and sports content, local government collaborations, limited-time stores at horse racing and cycling tracks, and sales of HUB-supervised products at Seven-Eleven. In Q1, other operating revenue increased 80.6% year on year to ¥37 million, reflecting the effect of these initiatives in the figures.
Through partnerships with video streaming companies, the company has realized the only official public viewing environment among restaurants. Expanded broadcasting during late-night and early-morning hours has driven solid customer traffic, including inbound customers, contributing to a 9.2% year-on-year increase in Q1 net sales. Robust inbound demand serves as an external tailwind.
Continuing to distribute coupons to member app users and running monthly campaigns (such as the British Campaign) to increase visit frequency among existing customers. Utilization of the digital membership base enables low-cost promotion of repeat visits.
In the restaurant industry, where labor costs continue to rise, the company is actively improving employee treatment to secure and retain talented personnel. This supports the maintenance and improvement of service quality as well as the personnel foundation needed to sustain accelerated store openings. While it is a cost-increasing factor, it is positioned as an essential investment for maintaining long-term competitiveness.
Last updated: July 17, 2026