MIAMI, Aug. 18, 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 first
four-week period (July 18, 2011 –
August 14, 2011) of the second fiscal
quarter of 2012. The announcement marks the Company's nineteenth
consecutive four-week period of comparable restaurant sales
growth.
For the four-week period ended August 14,
2011, total restaurant sales increased year over year by
5.7% to $26.7 million from
$25.2 million, and Company-wide
comparable restaurant sales increased by 6.1% to $26.7 million from $25.1
million. By concept, comparable restaurant sales increased
6.8% at Benihana Teppanyaki, 5.1% at RA Sushi, and 3.5% at Haru.
These results were driven by traffic growth of 4.1% at Benihana
Teppanyaki, 5.3% at RA Sushi and 5.6% (dine-in traffic) at
Haru.
During the period, Benihana Teppanyaki represented approximately
67% of total restaurant sales, while RA Sushi and Haru accounted
for 24% and 9% of total restaurant sales, respectively. There were
384 store-operating weeks in the first four-week period of the
second fiscal quarter of 2012 compared to 388 store-operating weeks
in the first four-week period of the second fiscal quarter of
2011.
Richard C. Stockinger, Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Benihana Inc., said, "We
are delighted with these results, which show the remarkable
progress we continue to make across the Company. The Benihana
Teppanyaki Renewal program has been driving robust comparable store
sales growth at our flagship Benihana restaurants for more than a
year and a half, but we are now seeing significant gains at RA
Sushi and Haru, as well. All of this is extremely encouraging as we
prepare for a new phase of growth."
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.