MIAMI, June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Benihana Inc.
(NASDAQ: BNHN; BNHNA), operator of the nation's largest chain of
Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, today reported total
restaurant sales and comparable restaurant sales for the second
four-week period (April 25, 2011 –
May 22, 2011) of the first fiscal
quarter 2012, including the Company's sixteenth consecutive period
of comparable restaurant sales growth.
(Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110513/NY02073LOGO )
For the second four-week period, total restaurant sales
increased year-over-year by 4.5% to $26.9
million from $25.8 million,
and Company-wide comparable restaurant sales increased by 4.8% to
$26.9 million from $25.7 million. By concept, comparable restaurant
sales increased 7.9% at Benihana Teppanyaki (including 8.5% traffic
growth) and declined 0.7% at RA Sushi and 2.3% at Haru. Total guest
count increased by 6.2%, and comparable guest count grew by
6.4%.
Benihana Teppanyaki represented approximately 68% of total
restaurant sales, while RA Sushi and Haru accounted for 23% and 9%
of total restaurant sales, respectively. There were 385
store-operating weeks in the second four-week period of the first
fiscal quarter 2012 compared to 388 store-operating weeks in the
second four-week period of the first fiscal quarter 2011,
reflecting the closure of the Philadelphia Haru location on
May 1, 2011.
Richard C. Stockinger, Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer and President of Benihana Inc., said,
"Building on our strong performance since the inception of the
Renewal Program, we are continuing to make good progress in fiscal
2012. In the second period, the impact of the Renewal Program
continued to drive robust comparable sales at our flagship Benihana
Teppanyaki restaurants. While RA is essentially flat from the prior
year, Haru continues to be impacted by scaffolding located outside
some of our restaurants and the continued inclement weather,
limiting our patio dining sales."
About Benihana
Headquartered in Miami,
Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ GS: BNHN, BNHNA) is the nation's leading
operator of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants with 96
restaurants nationwide, including 63 Benihana restaurants, eight
Haru sushi restaurants, and 25 RA Sushi restaurants. In addition,
20 franchised Benihana restaurants are operating in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. To learn more about Benihana Inc.
and its three restaurant concepts, please view the corporate video
at www.benihana.com/about/video.
Safe Harbor Statement
Except for the historical matters contained herein, statements
in this press release are forward-looking and are made pursuant to
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the
business and prospects of the Benihana , including, without
limitation: risks related to Benihana's business strategy,
including the Renewal Program and marketing programs; risks related
to Benihana's ability to operate successfully in the current
challenging economic environment; risks related to Benihana's
efforts to strengthen its Benihana Teppanyaki concept and build its
RA Sushi and Haru brands; and other risks and uncertainties that
may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in the
forward-looking statements. Past performance may not be indicative
of future results. Although Benihana believes the expectations
reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon
reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that its
expectations will be realized. In addition to the risks and
uncertainties set forth above, investors should consider the risks
and uncertainties discussed in Benihana's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation,
the risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "Risk
Factors" in such filings. Benihana does not undertake any
obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to
reflect events or circumstances after the date on which any such
statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events.
Contact
Jeremy Fielding/James David
Kekst and Company
(212) 521-4800
SOURCE Benihana Inc.