Benihana

Benihana is a prominent operator of Japanese teppanyaki restaurants, celebrated for its unique dining experience where chefs skillfully prepare meals tableside on steel grills. Founded in 1964 by Hiroaki "Rocky" Aoki, Benihana introduced the teppanyaki concept to the United States with its first location in New York City. This innovative approach quickly set Benihana apart, combining culinary performance with authentic Japanese cuisine, which garnered a dedicated customer base and left a lasting impact on the restaurant industry.

Over the years, Benihana expanded beyond its New York origins, opening its first location outside the city in Chicago in 1968 and steadily growing its presence across the United States and internationally. As of November 2025, Benihana operates 68 owned teppanyaki restaurants and manages 12 franchised locations, totaling 89 venues throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Central, and South America. The company also oversees brands such as Samurai and RA Sushi, adding diversity to its portfolio.

In February 2024, Benihana reached a significant milestone when it was acquired by The ONE Group Hospitality Inc., a publicly traded company that also owns STK and Kona Grill. This acquisition marked a new chapter in Benihana's corporate journey. Headquartered in Aventura, Florida, Benihana employs around 7,400 people and reported an annual revenue of $314 million for fiscal year 2023.

Benihana is actively expanding, with plans to open five to seven new venues in 2025. The company is targeting major metropolitan areas like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas, and San Francisco, focusing on high-traffic retail corridors. For commercial real estate professionals, Benihana's established brand, successful dining concept, and consistent demand for prime restaurant space position it as a desirable tenant, particularly in mixed-use and lifestyle centers.