Benihana Inc., operator of the nation’s largest chain of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, today reported total restaurant sales and comparable restaurant sales for the first four-week period (March 28, 2011 – April 24, 2011) of the first fiscal quarter 2012.
For the first four-week period, both total restaurant sales and Company-wide comparable restaurant sales increased 5.8% to $26.7 million from $25.3 million, representing the fifteenth consecutive period of comparable restaurant sales growth. By concept, comparable restaurant sales increased 9.0% at Benihana Teppanyaki (including 8.7% traffic growth) and 2.2% at RA Sushi, but decreased 5.3% 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 388 store-operating weeks in the first four-week periods of both fiscal quarters.
Richard C. Stockinger, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, said, “Fiscal 2012 got off to a strong start, as marketing and promotional activities related to the Renewal Program proved effective in generating robust comparable sales primarily driven by guest traffic gains at Benihana Teppanyaki. RA Sushi also continued its track record of comparable sales growth, and has now generated positive results for five consecutive periods. Softness in Haru’s top line, however, was due to relatively cold weather in April that negatively impacted patio seating at six restaurants with construction scaffolding outside of two of those locations further impeding guest traffic. With warmer May weather nearly upon us, we are hopeful that guests will begin to feel more comfortable dining on our patios and thereby contribute to improving Haru’s sales trends.”
Headquartered in Miami, Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ GS: BNHN, BNHNA) is the nation’s leading operator of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants with 97 restaurants nationwide, including 63 Benihana restaurants, nine 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.