MIAMI, June 22, 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 third
four-week period (May 23, 2011 –
June 19, 2011) of the first fiscal
quarter of 2012, including the Company's seventeenth consecutive
period of comparable restaurant sales growth.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110513/NY02073LOGO
)
For the third four-week period, total restaurant sales increased
year over year by 6.0% to $26.9
million from $25.3 million,
and Company-wide comparable restaurant sales increased by 6.7% to
$26.9 million from $25.2 million. By concept, comparable restaurant
sales increased 9.3% at Benihana Teppanyaki (including 7.2% traffic
growth) and 2.5% at RA Sushi and decreased 0.3% at Haru.
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 third four-week period of the first
fiscal quarter of 2012 compared to 388 store-operating weeks in the
third four-week period of the first fiscal quarter of 2011.
Richard C. Stockinger, Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Benihana Inc., said, "We
are extremely pleased with the Company's continued strong
performance during this period. Our Renewal Program is driving
robust sales growth at our Benihana Teppanyaki restaurants with our
seventeenth period of comparable restaurant sales growth. We are
also encouraged by the momentum we are seeing at both RA Sushi and
Haru, despite the continued impact of scaffolding outside some of
the latter restaurants. On the whole, we are continuing to enjoy
excellent sales in fiscal 2012."
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.