Business Description

BENIHANA is not only an internationally famous Japanese steak and seafood restaurant, it is also a genuine 'dining experience.' Both first-time and frequent visitors to BENIHANA are immediately drawn to the unique table top hibachi-style of cuisine, where mouth-watering dishes are prepared before their very eyes.

Franchisor Background

Year Established:  1964

Franchising Since:  1970

Operating Units:
Franchised Units:	23	28.7%
Company-Owned Units:	57	71.3%
Total Operating Units:	80	100.0%
Geographic Distribution: U.S.: 71 88.8% In 20 States Canada: 1 1.3% In 1 Canadian Provinces International: 8 10% In 0 Foreign Countries   Total: 80 100.1.0%

North America:
States/Provinces with the largest number of operating units:

Density	Units
1. California	15
2. Florida	6
3. Illinois	3

Registered in Following Registration States: California, Hawaii, New York

Financial Requirements

Investment:
Minimum Net Worth:	$1K
Cash Investment:	$550-650K
Total Investment:	$1.3-1.8MM
Average Total Investment:	$1550K
Fees:
Initial Franchise Fee:	$50K
Average Franchise Fee:	$50K
On-Going Royalty:	6%
Average Royalty:	6%
Advertising Fee:	0.5%

Average Number of Employees: 35 Full-time, 7 Part-time

Space Needs (in square footage): 6,000+

Preferred Sites: Free-standing Building

Other Sites:

Encourage Conversions? Yes

Earnings Claims Provided?: No

Franchisee Qualifications
Ranked from 1 (unimportant) to 5 (important):
Financial Net Worth:	5
General Business Experience:	4
Specific Industry Experience:	3
Formal Education:	2
Psychological Profile:	2
Personal Interview(s):	4
Terms of Contract
Term of Initial Contract:	15 Year(s)
Term of Renewal Period:	Varies Year(s)
Passive Ownership:	Allowed, But Discouraged
Area Development Agreements?	Yes, for 1 Year(s)
Sub-Franchising Contracts?	No
Franchisees Allowed to Expand Within Territory?	No
Support and Training
International Franchise Association:	No
Canadian Franchise Association:	No
Franchisee Association/Member:	No
Size of Corporate Staff:	51
Site Selection Assistance?	Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance?	Not Applicable
Financial Assistance?	No
Marketing Support:
Co-Op Advertising:	No
National Advertising:	No
Regional Advertising:	No
Local Advertising:	No
Marketing Materials:	None Specified
Additional Services:	None Specified
Other Marketing Support:	None Specified
On-Going Support:
Central Data Processing:	At Additional Cost
Central Purchasing:	Not Applicable
Field Operation Evaluation:	Included in Fees
Field Training:	At Additional Cost
Initial Store Opening:	Included in Fees
Inventory Control:	Included in Fees
Franchisee Newsletter:	Not Applicable
Regional or National Meetings:	Included in Fees
800 Telephone Hotline:	Included in Fees
Training:
1. Miami, FL	12-15 Weeks
Expansion Plans
Projected New Units Over Next 12 months: 3 U.S.: Yes, PA,MD,MI,NC,OH,AZ,TX,NY Canada: Yes, All Canada Overseas: Yes, Europe, Pacific Rim	Request Franchisor Info   Submit an online form to receive information from Benihana Of Tokyo.