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 second four-week period (January 31, 2011 – February 27, 2011) of the fourth fiscal quarter 2011.
Total restaurant sales increased 4.6% to $27.9 million from $26.7 million, while Company-wide comparable restaurant sales increased 5.1% to $27.9 million from $26.6 million, representing the thirteenth consecutive period of comparable restaurant sales growth. By concept, comparable restaurant sales increased 6.8% at Benihana Teppanyaki, 1.2% at RA Sushi, and 2.1% at Haru. There were a total of 388 store-operating weeks in the second four-week period of the fourth fiscal quarter 2011 compared to a total of 392 store-operating weeks in the second four-week period of the fourth fiscal quarter 2010.
Richard C. Stockinger, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, said, “We are encouraged by the positive comparable sales results across all three of our restaurant concepts, despite harsh winter weather affecting many locations earlier in the month. In addition to a solid 7.3% traffic gain at Benihana Teppanyaki, which continues to benefit from our Renewal Program, both RA Sushi and Haru also modestly increased their guest counts compared to the year-ago period. These results underscore our attractive market and value proposition, and we hope to build on this momentum as we move forward.”