Benihana sales increase 4.2%

by Eric Hertha
August 23, 2010

Benihana Inc., operator of the nation’s largest chain of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, today reported total restaurant sales and comparable restaurant sales for the first four weeks (July 19 - August 15, 2010) of the second fiscal quarter 2011 compared to the same four-week period for the second fiscal quarter 2010 (July 20 - August 16, 2009). These results demonstrate continued positive momentum resulting from the company’s implementation of its renewal program.

Total restaurant sales increased 4.2% to $25.2 million from $24.2 million, while Company-wide comparable restaurant sales increased 4.3%, representing the 6th consecutive period with comparable restaurant sales increases. By concept, comparable restaurant sales increased 7.3% at Benihana teppanyaki, while the impact of macro-economic weakness caused decreases of 1.2% at RA Sushi and 0.6% at Haru. There were a total of 388 store-operating weeks during the first four weeks of the second fiscal quarter 2011 compared to a total of 393 store-operating weeks during the first four weeks of the second fiscal quarter 2010.

Richard C. Stockinger, Chief Executive Officer and President, said, “We are pleased with the traffic gains (up 9.7%) at Benihana teppanyaki, which drove our sales momentum during the four-week period. Our renewal program continues to result in visits by both new and lapsed guests to our flagship brand. Our Chef’s Table email database, which since its introduction in April 2009 has grown to approximately 1.2 million subscribers, and our Chef’s Special promotions during the period, featuring ‘shrimp and chicken for 2’ for $35 and ‘hibachi steak for 2’ for $37, also proved effective in encouraging guests to enjoy our Benihana teppanyaki restaurants. While renewed softness in the overall economy led to a sequential slowdown at RA Sushi and Haru from the first fiscal quarter, we are encouraged that both brands were off only marginally from year-ago sales levels.”