1964
81
$3,255,200
$40,000
$5,880,000
No
Benihana stands as a premier Japanese teppanyaki restaurant brand, renowned for its theatrical dining experience where skilled chefs prepare meals right before guests on hibachi grills. Since its inception in 1964 in New York City, Benihana has captivated diners with its blend of culinary artistry and entertainment. Today, under the ownership of The ONE Group Hospitality, Benihana continues to expand its footprint across the United States, offering a unique investment opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking to enter the thriving restaurant industry.
Established Brand Recognition: With over 80% brand awareness nationwide, Benihana attracts a loyal customer base, ensuring a steady flow of guests.
Unique Dining Experience: The hibachi-style cooking provides an interactive and entertaining atmosphere, setting Benihana apart from traditional dining establishments.
Proven Business Model: The franchise offers a comprehensive support system, including site selection, training, and marketing, to ensure franchisee success.
Strategic Growth Plans: The ONE Group's acquisition of Benihana in 2024 underscores a commitment to expanding and enhancing the brand's presence in the market.
Established Year:
Benihana was founded in 1964 in New York City by Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki, a Japanese entrepreneur and former Olympic wrestler. The first restaurant introduced a unique dining concept combining high-quality Japanese cuisine with theatrical, hibachi-style cooking right at the table.
Founders & Brand Journey:
Rocky Aoki’s vision was to create not just a restaurant, but an immersive dining experience where entertainment and food artistry go hand-in-hand. The first location’s success stemmed from its novelty, drawing both locals and tourists fascinated by the chef’s skillful and flamboyant cooking techniques. Over the decades, Benihana became synonymous with teppanyaki dining in America.
Ownership:
Benihana is currently owned by The ONE Group Hospitality, which acquired the brand in 2024 for $365 million. This acquisition marked a strategic move to expand the brand’s presence in the U.S. casual dining and entertainment market.
Franchise Units & Market Presence:
As of 2024, Benihana operates approximately 81 locations across the United States, with a strong presence in key urban and suburban markets. Locations are particularly concentrated in cities with a high density of tourists and business clientele, leveraging both brand recognition and the experiential dining model.
Industry Category:
Benihana is categorized in the casual dining segment, specifically focusing on Japanese cuisine and teppanyaki-style entertainment. Its distinctive combination of food, service, and performance has positioned it as a premium yet approachable dining option.
Brand Reputation & Achievements:
Benihana is recognized for its high customer loyalty, largely driven by the interactive dining experience.
The brand has received numerous accolades in the restaurant and hospitality industry for innovation in dining and service standards.
Internationally, Benihana has also expanded in select markets, further enhancing its global brand recognition.
Summary:
Benihana is not just a restaurant franchise—it’s a culinary entertainment brand with decades of heritage, a strong U.S. presence, and an expanding footprint under experienced corporate ownership. Its proven concept, combined with unique dining theater, makes it an appealing opportunity for investors seeking a high-end casual dining franchise with growth potential.
Benihana offers a robust support system to its franchisees, ensuring they are equipped to operate successfully:
Pre-Launch Support: Assistance with site selection, lease negotiation, and restaurant design.
Training Programs: Comprehensive training covering restaurant operations, customer service, and culinary techniques.
Marketing Support: National and local marketing strategies to drive brand awareness and customer engagement.
Ongoing Assistance: Continuous operational support, including regular visits from field consultants and access to a dedicated franchise support team.
Owning a Benihana franchise is a premium investment opportunity that requires a unique combination of financial capability, business acumen, and passion for hospitality. The ideal franchisee profile includes the following characteristics:
1. Financial Qualifications:
Minimum Net Worth: $5 million
Liquid Assets: At least $2.2 million available for investment
These financial thresholds ensure that the franchisee can cover the franchise fee, startup costs, working capital, and operational contingencies required for a full-scale Benihana restaurant.
2. Business Acumen & Experience:
Preferably a seasoned entrepreneur or business owner with proven experience in restaurant management, hospitality, or retail operations.
Strong understanding of profit and loss management, budgeting, staffing, and operational efficiency.
Ability to navigate complex regulatory environments related to foodservice and safety standards.
3. Leadership & Team Management Skills:
Must be able to hire, train, and motivate a high-performing team, including chefs, servers, and support staff.
Commitment to maintaining high standards for customer service, food quality, and operational excellence.
Strong interpersonal skills to engage with customers and foster repeat business.
4. Commitment & Involvement:
Willingness to actively participate in the day-to-day operations of the restaurant, especially during the initial phases of launch.
Passion for hospitality, Japanese cuisine, and experiential dining is highly beneficial for delivering the Benihana brand experience.
5. Location Preference & Market Vision:
Open to establishing a restaurant in targeted growth markets where Benihana seeks expansion, including Hawaii, Boston, Austin, San Antonio, Baltimore, Tucson, and other strategic U.S. cities.
Ability to assess and select prime real estate locations with high foot traffic, tourism potential, and accessibility.
6. Long-Term Vision & Brand Alignment:
Franchisee should align with Benihana’s brand values, emphasizing quality, entertainment, and customer satisfaction.
Commitment to growing the business with a long-term vision for profitability, expansion, and brand advocacy.
| Financial Item | Details / Range |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $40,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of gross sales |
| Marketing Fee | 1% of gross sales |
| Total Investment – Full-Sized Restaurant | $3,255,200 – $5,880,000 |
| Total Investment – Concession Model | $616,000 – $1,090,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital Required | $2.2 million |
| Minimum Net Worth Requirement | $5 million |
| Infrastructure / Build-Out Costs | Included in total investment; varies by location and size |
| Working Capital | Included in total investment; recommended for initial 6 months of operations |
| Expected ROI | Varies by location, market conditions, and operational efficiency |
| Break-Even Time | Typically 3–5 years, depending on sales performance and location |
| Potential Revenue Streams | In-restaurant dining, private events, catering services, gift cards, merchandise |
