<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001615774-18-000493
<TYPE>3
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<PERIOD>20180112
<FILING-DATE>20180122
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20180122
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>Capuano Nicholas John
<CIK>0001728344
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>3
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-24395
<FILM-NUMBER>18540497
</FILING-VALUES>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>C/O B RILEY FINANCIAL
<STREET2>11100 SANTA MONICA BLVD, STE.800
<CITY>LOS ANGELES
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>90025
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>bebe stores, inc.
<CIK>0001059272
<ASSIGNED-SIC>2330
<IRS-NUMBER>942450490
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>CA
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>0702
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>400 VALLEY DR
<CITY>BRISBANE
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>94005
<PHONE>4157153900
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>400 VALLEY DR
<CITY>BRISBANE
<STATE>CA
<ZIP>94005
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>BEBE STORES INC
<DATE-CHANGED>19980422
</FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>BABE INC
<DATE-CHANGED>19980407
</FORMER-COMPANY>
</ISSUER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>s108782_form3.xml
<DESCRIPTION>3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2018-01-12</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001059272</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>bebe stores, inc.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BEBE</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001728344</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Capuano Nicholas John</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>400 VALLEY DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRISBANE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94005</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Nicholas J. Capuano</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2018-01-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
