(NASDAQ Global Market: BNHNA)

Industry: Restaurants & bars
On the web: http://www.benihana.com
Employees: 5,000

Benihana Inc. has operated 'Benihana' teppanyaki-style Japanese restaurants in the United States for over 40 years. Its core concept, the traditional Benihana restaurant, offers teppanyaki-style Japanese cooking in which fresh steak, chicken and seafood are prepared by a chef on a grill which forms a part of the table at which the food is served. The Company's Haru concept offers a menu of Japanese fusion dishes in a high energy, urban atmosphere. In addition to traditional, high quality sushi and sashimi creations, Haru offers raw bar items and Japanese cuisine, including New York strip steak with wasabi croquette, spicy shallots and ginger sauce, garlic shrimp and crispy duck. Benihana's RA Sushi concept offers sushi and a full menu of Pacific-Rim dishes in a high energy environment featuring upbeat design elements and music. During April and May 2006, it opened two RA Sushi restaurants, which are located in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and Glenview, Illinois. At May 31, 2006, Benihana: own and operate 56 Benihana teppanyaki-style Japanese dinnerhouse restaurants, including one restaurant under the name Samurai; franchise 18 additional Benihana restaurants; own and operate seven Haru restaurants in New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and own and operate eleven RA Sushi restaurants. The Company owns the related United States trademarks and service marks to the names 'Benihana', 'Benihana of Tokyo' and the 'red flower' symbol and it has the exclusive rights to own, develop and license Benihana and Benihana Grill restaurants in the United States, Central and South America and the islands of the Caribbean. Benihana also owns the United States trademarks and worldwide development rights to the names 'Haru' and 'RA Sushi'. It utilizes television, radio, billboard and print media to promote its restaurants; strengthen its brand identity; and maintain high name recognition. Each of its restaurants is subject to licensing and regulation by the health, sanitation, safety standards, fire department and the alcoholic beverage control and other authorities in the state or municipality where it is located.