Core Viewpoint - COMMUNE, a restaurant and bar brand under JI WU SI WEI Co., has officially submitted its prospectus for an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, aiming to capitalize on the growing restaurant and bar market in China, which is valued at over 100 billion yuan [1]. Company Overview - JI WU SI WEI was established in 2016 and is headquartered in Zhuhai, Guangdong, with its first restaurant in Wuhan. The company plans to expand to 112 locations by September 2025 [1]. - The brand has achieved significant revenue growth, surpassing 1 billion yuan in 2024, and holds a market share of approximately 7.8%, which is double that of its closest competitors [1]. Financial Performance - For the fiscal year 2023-2024, JI WU SI WEI's revenue increased from 845 million yuan to 1.074 billion yuan, a year-on-year growth of 27.1%. Net profit also rose from 50.5 million yuan to 53.98 million yuan, marking a 6.8% increase [4]. - In contrast, competitor HAILUNSI saw a decline in revenue from 1.209 billion yuan to 752 million yuan during the same period, with net profit dropping from 181 million yuan to a loss of 77.97 million yuan [4]. Market Positioning - JI WU SI WEI operates a direct management model with all its restaurants being company-owned, while HAILUNSI relies heavily on franchising [4]. - The company emphasizes a diverse operational model, offering services across various meal times, which is seen as a competitive advantage over HAILUNSI's focus on budget-friendly offerings [5]. Expansion Plans - The IPO proceeds will be used to expand the COMMUNE network, with plans to open 150 to 190 new locations from 2026 to 2029 [5]. - The company aims to enhance its market presence in first and second-tier cities, where it currently operates nearly 90% of its locations [6]. Challenges and Risks - Despite revenue growth, JI WU SI WEI has faced challenges in profitability, with adjusted net profit declining from 73.45 million yuan to 66.19 million yuan in 2024, indicating a "growth without profit" scenario [9]. - Rising costs in raw materials and employee benefits have contributed to this trend, with raw material costs increasing by 39% and employee costs by 38% in 2024 [9]. Competitive Landscape - The only publicly listed competitor in the same sector is HAILUNSI, which has seen a significant decline in market value, dropping from a peak of 30.295 billion HKD to 1.152 billion HKD [3][6]. - Analysts suggest that JI WU SI WEI's differentiated business model and strong brand positioning may lead to a successful IPO, although market sentiment may affect its valuation [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges and potential of the small bar industry in China, particularly focusing on the case of Helen's, which has seen a significant decline in store numbers and profitability since its IPO in 2021 [4][9][19]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The alcohol consumption market is becoming increasingly vibrant, with new entrants like light alcohol and small bars enriching the industry landscape [4]. - In 2021, Helen's became the first small bar stock in Hong Kong, leading to expectations of a flourishing market [5][8]. - However, the reality has diverged from these expectations, with Helen's store count dropping from 767 in 2022 to 479 in 2023, a decrease of 37.55% [9]. Group 2: Helen's Business Model and Strategy - Helen's initially attracted young consumers with a low-price strategy, offering beers at 10 yuan [8]. - The company has shifted its focus to lower-tier markets for growth, with a significant reduction in stores in first and second-tier cities [10]. - The number of Helen's direct-operated and franchised stores decreased by 60.95% and 19.3% respectively from 2022 to 2023 [10]. Group 3: Market Potential and Challenges - The potential for bar consumption in lower-tier markets is substantial, with projections indicating that the domestic bar industry revenue could reach 183.9 billion yuan by 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.8% [11]. - Despite the promising market potential, the small bar business model remains largely unproven, with many brands entering the market but few succeeding [16][17]. - The competitive landscape is intensifying, with major beer brands also entering the small bar space, further complicating the market dynamics [17][18]. Group 4: Future Considerations - The article raises questions about the viability of the small bar business, suggesting that while it may be a good market, it is not necessarily easy to operate successfully [19]. - The industry is still in its early stages, with a high level of fragmentation and a low market penetration rate, indicating significant growth opportunities for leading players like Helen's [19].