MIAMI, Aug. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Benihana Inc.
(NASDAQ: BNHN; BNHNA), operator of the nation's largest chain of
Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, today announced that it has
hired David Flanery as Chief
Financial Officer, effective immediately. Formerly Chief Financial
Officer at Papa John's International Inc., Mr. Flanery will be
based in Miami and report directly
to Richard Stockinger, Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Benihana Inc. He replaces
Gene R. Baldwin, who has served as
Interim Chief Financial Officer since January 2010 and who will continue in a
transition role for a brief period.
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Mr. Stockinger said, "We are thrilled to be adding David to the
Benihana management team. His deep, wide-ranging experience as a
senior financial executive at a public restaurant company will help
us build on the momentum we have generated over the last two years
and continue to prepare for a new phase of growth. I would like to
thank Gene Baldwin for his important
contributions to the Company. We wish him nothing but the best in
the future."
Mr. Flanery is a seasoned restaurant executive with 17 years of
experience at Papa John's, a period that saw the company grow from
a regional chain of 400 restaurants to a global brand with 3,700
restaurants in all 50 states and 32 countries. From 2004 to 2011,
he was Chief Financial Officer, overseeing all finance functions,
including SEC reporting, treasury management and investor
relations. During that time, he had added responsibility for
international operations for approximately three years. Prior
to becoming CFO, he held senior finance positions at Papa John's
with additional responsibility, at various times, for information
systems and supply chain. Before joining Papa John's in 1994, he
spent 15 years with Ernst & Young, where he rose from Staff
Accountant to Senior Manager. Mr. Flanery is a Certified Public
Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting
from the University of Kentucky.
Mr. Flanery said, "This is a tremendous opportunity. I have
watched the recent turnaround at Benihana Inc. with admiration, and
I am looking forward to working with the Company's talented
management team and employees to help it reach its considerable
potential."
During his tenure at Benihana Inc., Mr. Baldwin retained his
position as partner at consulting firm CRG Partners Group, LLC, and
he will resume that role on a full-time basis following the
transition period.
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, 18
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 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.