从万店梦想到2600家缩水：洗脸熊“跑路潮”撕开加盟黑洞

Core Viewpoint - The facial cleansing chain "Xilianxiong" is facing a trust crisis as multiple locations have reportedly closed down, leading to difficulties for consumers in obtaining refunds and using membership cards at other locations [1]. Group 1: Consumer Issues - Consumers in various regions, including Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hubei, and Shanghai, have reported that "Xilianxiong" stores have closed, making it difficult to get refunds and use membership cards at other locations [1]. - A consumer from Fujian mentioned that after recharging 500 yuan in 2024, she was unable to access her membership or find any record of a refund, despite the app indicating a refund had been processed [1]. - An insider from "Xilianxiong" stated that the membership fees go directly to the store owners' accounts, and the company does not manage these funds [1]. Group 2: Store Operations - A store in Chengdu was visited, where staff claimed they had not heard of any store closures and emphasized that membership funds could be used at any location [2]. - The store offers significant discounts for members, with a typical recharge starting at 500 yuan, allowing members to access services at half the price compared to non-members [2][8]. - The male customer demographic constitutes about 40% of the clientele, with many attracted by the affordable prices and the convenience of local stores [8]. Group 3: Business Model - "Xilianxiong" operates on a franchise model, where franchisees pay fees to use the brand and manage their own finances, with the company profiting from franchise fees and product markups [9]. - The company aims to expand to 10,000 stores, currently having over 4,000 in China and more than 30 overseas, although the number of operational stores has reportedly decreased to 2,600 [9]. - The initial investment for opening a boutique store is approximately 150,000 yuan, with a payback period of about six months [10]. Group 4: Financial Performance - Each store reportedly generates daily revenues between 1,600 to 3,000 yuan, depending on the business district [10]. - The cost of products used in treatments is low, with a gross margin of 90% and a net profit margin of 50% on services provided [13]. - The cash flow from membership fees has led some franchisees to misuse the system, treating membership cards as a source of quick cash [13].