MIAMI, Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Benihana Inc.
(NASDAQ: BNHN), operator of the nation's largest chain of Japanese
theme and sushi restaurants, today reported total restaurant sales
and comparable restaurant sales for the second four-week period
(November 7, 2011 – December 4, 2011) of the third fiscal quarter of
2012. The announcement marks the Company's twenty-third consecutive
four-week period of comparable restaurant sales growth.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110513/NY02073LOGO
)
For the four-week period ended December
4, 2011, total restaurant sales increased year over year by
4.6% to $23.7 million from
$22.7 million, and Company-wide
comparable restaurant sales increased by 6.5% to $23.6 million from $22.2
million. By concept, comparable restaurant sales
increased 8.0% at Benihana Teppanyaki, 4.7% at RA Sushi, and 1.0%
at Haru. These results were driven by traffic growth of 6.7%
at Benihana Teppanyaki.
During the period, Benihana Teppanyaki represented approximately
67% of total restaurant sales, while RA Sushi and Haru accounted
for 23% and 10% of total restaurant sales, respectively.
There were 380 store-operating weeks in the second four-week
period of the third fiscal quarter of 2012 compared to 386
store-operating weeks in the second four-week period of the third
fiscal quarter of 2011.
Richard C. Stockinger, Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of Benihana Inc., said, "We
are pleased to report another period of strong sales results,
driven primarily by traffic increases at Benihana Teppanyaki.
The 8.0% increase in comparable sales at Teppanyaki follows an 8.9%
increase in the same period of the prior year. We are
delighted that our execution continues to deliver outstanding
results despite weak preliminary November sales for the casual
dining segment, as we report our twenty-third consecutive period of
comparable sales 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 http://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/Anntal
Silver
Kekst and Company
(212) 521-4800
SOURCE Benihana Inc.