Overview
In 1964, a small Japanese restaurant opened in New York City, with the goal of introducing teppanyaki style cooking to people around the world. Through its franchise program Benihana has built 25 international franchises together with its sister company Benihana of Tokyo. Agreements have been signed to build more franchise restaurants in the United States and Internationally over next couple of years. Since the Benihana brand name and its trademark holds one of the strongest awareness levels in the restaurant industry, owning a Benihana restaurant can be a very rewarding investment.
A large part of the success of the Benihana concept can be attributed to the performance that awaits the millions of guests each year. Served a hibachi style Japanese experience, our guests enjoy the company of friends and family who are celebrating special occasions or just enjoying a fine dining experience. Known as the leading Asian restaurant chain in the country, every aspect of our restaurants accentuates the finest Japanese traditions and culture.
A large part of the success of the Benihana concept can be attributed to the performance that awaits the millions of guests each year. Served a hibachi style Japanese experience, our guests enjoy the company of friends and family who are celebrating special occasions or just enjoying a fine dining experience. Known as the leading Asian restaurant chain in the country, every aspect of our restaurants accentuates the finest Japanese traditions and culture.
Products & Services
For a restaurant to succeed it must be distinctive enough to bring customers through the doors for the first time and good enough to keep them coming back. Benihana redefined success when it introduced its totally new concept of "eatertainment" dining to the New York restaurant scene. Over three decades ago Benihana changed the industry and has been tantalizing millions of customers ever since.
Benihana, founded by Japanese-born entrepreneur Rocky H. Aoki, began in the U.S. as a Japanese steakhouse unlike any other in the country. Rather than using conventional kitchens, Benihana's highly skilled chefs present and prepare all entrees at a "hibachi" table, around which up to eight guests are seated. A fast-paced performance of chopping and juggling creates an exciting teppanyaki-style dining experience for guests of all ages.
The rare longevity of the Benihana concept and product distinguishes this company from the rest of the industry. No other restaurant chain can claim it's as successful. Since 1964, Benihana has offered the same quality of service, the same fresh product and a loyal customer relationship. In fact, the Benihana concept is still growing. Lunchtime business continues to increase, new restaurants are opening every year and the chain is rapidly expanding.
The Benihana combination of blending great food and a knife-wielding experience has established the most successful and longest running dinner show on earth. This success did not happen overnight. After working through successes and failures, Benihana found the magic recipe for its continued growth. With the success of Benihana, it was only natural that Rocky would bring new concepts to life.
Benihana, founded by Japanese-born entrepreneur Rocky H. Aoki, began in the U.S. as a Japanese steakhouse unlike any other in the country. Rather than using conventional kitchens, Benihana's highly skilled chefs present and prepare all entrees at a "hibachi" table, around which up to eight guests are seated. A fast-paced performance of chopping and juggling creates an exciting teppanyaki-style dining experience for guests of all ages.
The rare longevity of the Benihana concept and product distinguishes this company from the rest of the industry. No other restaurant chain can claim it's as successful. Since 1964, Benihana has offered the same quality of service, the same fresh product and a loyal customer relationship. In fact, the Benihana concept is still growing. Lunchtime business continues to increase, new restaurants are opening every year and the chain is rapidly expanding.
The Benihana combination of blending great food and a knife-wielding experience has established the most successful and longest running dinner show on earth. This success did not happen overnight. After working through successes and failures, Benihana found the magic recipe for its continued growth. With the success of Benihana, it was only natural that Rocky would bring new concepts to life.
Training & Support
Benihana is the first resource to turn to for help
Benihana's corporate staff will provide expert guidance for maximizing sales, profit and operational efficiency in a number of areas. During the start-up phase you will receive assistance in site selection, construction, recruitment and training, implementation of standard operating procedures, sources for supplies and equipment and on-site opening assistance.
Although Benihana assumes no direct financial responsibility for real estate, we will provide guidelines and counseling on site selection. Prior to the opening of the restaurant, Benihana will also make available to you its construction staff to assist in the design, planning and installation of your licensed restaurant. However, the construction department will function in a consulting or supervisory capacity only.
Receive restaurant operations training
As a Benihana licensee, you will receive training in every facet of operations - from product preparation to equipment handling and maintenance, customer service, employee relations and business record keeping. Our training program for chefs consists of a twelve- to sixteen-week program, a portion of which is spent working as a chef in a Benihana restaurant. The chefs are trained in both kitchen and tableside food preparation as applied at Benihana restaurants. Additionally, lectures on general restaurant management and Benihana's specific adaptation are offered. The manager training program is similar, except that the manager is given in-depth exposure to each position in the restaurant from busboy through manager.
Benihana's Management Team will provide pre- and post-opening assistance and make periodic inspection tours of your restaurant to insure that established standards and procedures are being utilized to your maximum benefit.
Learn how to keep accurate accounting records, it will help you save money
Established operating, inventory and financial controls are imperative in the restaurant industry. Benihana provides assistance to you or your accountant in setting up your accounting system. The system established will accommodate the day-to-day procedures covering sales, payroll, customers served, production, cash and petty cash reports as provided in Benihana's operating manual.
An operations manual is furnished to each new licensee, which outlines day-to-day procedures, along with specifics of a typical restaurant layout, equipment, construction cost and opening budget.
Benihana's corporate staff will provide expert guidance for maximizing sales, profit and operational efficiency in a number of areas. During the start-up phase you will receive assistance in site selection, construction, recruitment and training, implementation of standard operating procedures, sources for supplies and equipment and on-site opening assistance.
Although Benihana assumes no direct financial responsibility for real estate, we will provide guidelines and counseling on site selection. Prior to the opening of the restaurant, Benihana will also make available to you its construction staff to assist in the design, planning and installation of your licensed restaurant. However, the construction department will function in a consulting or supervisory capacity only.
Receive restaurant operations training
As a Benihana licensee, you will receive training in every facet of operations - from product preparation to equipment handling and maintenance, customer service, employee relations and business record keeping. Our training program for chefs consists of a twelve- to sixteen-week program, a portion of which is spent working as a chef in a Benihana restaurant. The chefs are trained in both kitchen and tableside food preparation as applied at Benihana restaurants. Additionally, lectures on general restaurant management and Benihana's specific adaptation are offered. The manager training program is similar, except that the manager is given in-depth exposure to each position in the restaurant from busboy through manager.
Benihana's Management Team will provide pre- and post-opening assistance and make periodic inspection tours of your restaurant to insure that established standards and procedures are being utilized to your maximum benefit.
Learn how to keep accurate accounting records, it will help you save money
Established operating, inventory and financial controls are imperative in the restaurant industry. Benihana provides assistance to you or your accountant in setting up your accounting system. The system established will accommodate the day-to-day procedures covering sales, payroll, customers served, production, cash and petty cash reports as provided in Benihana's operating manual.
An operations manual is furnished to each new licensee, which outlines day-to-day procedures, along with specifics of a typical restaurant layout, equipment, construction cost and opening budget.
Why Benihana?
Why invest in a Benihana restaurant?
The Benihana name is well known throughout the food industry as an established quality-conscious company. Benihana has grown from a single teppanyaki restaurant in New York City in 1964, to more than 75 restaurants worldwide, with more company owned and franchise restaurants in the planning or development stages.
Benihana's solid management team is committed to keeping Benihana one of the worlds finest and most thriving restaurant organizations. Our proven method of operation has tremendous appeal and represents a value to all future licensees. Together, we will ensure a consistent but controlled expansion.
As Ladies Home Journal wrote describing Benihana, "Dining should be a total experience - the ear should be soothed, the eye beguiled, the mind delighted, while the nose is tantalized, the palate ravished, and the appetite slowly appeased - and this total dining experience can be found at Benihana, where ways of pampering are as new as tomorrow, and as old as fire."
The Benihana name is well known throughout the food industry as an established quality-conscious company. Benihana has grown from a single teppanyaki restaurant in New York City in 1964, to more than 75 restaurants worldwide, with more company owned and franchise restaurants in the planning or development stages.
Benihana's solid management team is committed to keeping Benihana one of the worlds finest and most thriving restaurant organizations. Our proven method of operation has tremendous appeal and represents a value to all future licensees. Together, we will ensure a consistent but controlled expansion.
As Ladies Home Journal wrote describing Benihana, "Dining should be a total experience - the ear should be soothed, the eye beguiled, the mind delighted, while the nose is tantalized, the palate ravished, and the appetite slowly appeased - and this total dining experience can be found at Benihana, where ways of pampering are as new as tomorrow, and as old as fire."
Are You a Good Fit for Benihana?
The following qualifications, among others are essential in order to be considered for a Benihana franchise:
Overview of Startup Costs
Liquid assets are one of the key indicators of whether or not a prospective Licensee is capable of financing a full-size Benihana restaurant. We recommend liquid assets of at least $600,000 per unit as a basis for pursuing in-depth feasibility discussions. Based upon our most recent openings, the minimum initial investment to open a typical freestanding Benihana restaurant, excluding real property is $3.0 million. A substantial portion of this cost can normally be financed through traditional sources, depending on the Licensee's financial soundness. However, Benihana does not provide any financing to its Licensees, nor will it guarantee any note, lease or other documents executed by Licensee.
The total required investment in a Benihana restaurant also varies, depending on the Licensee's real estate arrangement (lease or purchase). Benihana has no financial involvement in the real estate, but provides experienced counseling in site selection/development and reserves the right to approve all proposed locations. The actual selection, purchase or leasing of the site is the Licensee's responsibility.
- An entrepreneurial spirit and strong desire to succeed.
- The ability to motivate and train people.
- The ability to manage finances.
- The willingness to personally devote full time and best efforts to the day-to-day operation of the restaurant as an on-premises franchisee.
- The willingness to complete a comprehensive training and evaluation program on a part-time basis, in order to become proficient in all Meeting the financial qualifications.
Overview of Startup Costs
Liquid assets are one of the key indicators of whether or not a prospective Licensee is capable of financing a full-size Benihana restaurant. We recommend liquid assets of at least $600,000 per unit as a basis for pursuing in-depth feasibility discussions. Based upon our most recent openings, the minimum initial investment to open a typical freestanding Benihana restaurant, excluding real property is $3.0 million. A substantial portion of this cost can normally be financed through traditional sources, depending on the Licensee's financial soundness. However, Benihana does not provide any financing to its Licensees, nor will it guarantee any note, lease or other documents executed by Licensee.
The total required investment in a Benihana restaurant also varies, depending on the Licensee's real estate arrangement (lease or purchase). Benihana has no financial involvement in the real estate, but provides experienced counseling in site selection/development and reserves the right to approve all proposed locations. The actual selection, purchase or leasing of the site is the Licensee's responsibility.
