MIAMI, May 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Benihana Inc.
(NASDAQ: BNHN; BNHNA) ("Benihana"), operator of the nation's
largest chain of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, today
announced that it, together with its affiliates Benihana National
Corp. and Noodle Time (collectively "the Plaintiffs"), has filed a
complaint against Benihana of Tokyo, Inc. ("BOT"), Keiko Aoki, and Takanori
Yoshimoto (collectively "the Defendants") in the Circuit
Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida.
According to the Complaint, Aoki, motivated by a desire to
perpetuate her position of control over BOT and influence over
Benihana, directed BOT and Yoshimoto to engage in actions damaging
to all Benihana stockholders, including BOT's other beneficiaries.
The Complaint details the Defendants' breach of contract, civil
conspiracy, injury to business reputation, violation of the Florida
Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, tortious interference,
and unfair competition arising out of the Defendants' deceptive,
unfair and unlawful conduct relating to their disparagement of the
Plaintiffs. Through these actions, the Defendants have
deliberately attempted to dilute the value of Benihana and deceive
the public into believing that the title to the BENIHANA®
Trademarks is in question when it is not, according to the
Complaint.
Benihana said that it has pursued this litigation in order to
protect the interests of all its shareholders from the Defendants'
alleged self-serving actions and agenda.
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/Adam Weiner/James
David
Kekst and Company
(212) 521-4800
SOURCE Benihana Inc.