Benihana Inc. Reports Total Restaurant Sales and Comparable Restaurant Sales for the Third Fiscal Quarter 2010

Total restaurant sales increased 4.8% to $70.0 million in the third fiscal quarter 2010 from $66.8 million in the third fiscal quarter 2009. For the third fiscal quarter 2010, Company-wide comparable restaurant sales were (3.4%), including (5.9%) at Benihana teppanyaki, 4.4% at RA Sushi, and (1.6%) at Haru.

Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ: BNHNA; BNHN), operator of the nation’s largest chain of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, today reported total restaurant sales and comparable restaurant sales for the twelve-week third fiscal quarter ended January 3, 2010.

Total restaurant sales increased 4.8% to $70.0 million in the third fiscal quarter 2010 from $66.8 million in the third fiscal quarter 2009. For the third fiscal quarter 2010, Company-wide comparable restaurant sales were (3.4%), including (5.9%) at Benihana teppanyaki, 4.4% at RA Sushi, and (1.6%) at Haru.

During the period, Benihana teppanyaki represented approximately 66.4% of consolidated restaurant sales, while RA Sushi and Haru accounted for 23.0% and 10.6% of consolidated restaurant sales, respectively. There were a total of 1,176 store-operating weeks in the third fiscal quarter 2010 compared to 1,069 store-operating weeks in the third fiscal quarter 2009.