MIAMI, July 9, 2013 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Benihana, the nation's leading operator of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, has been named number one in Knapp-Track™ for 2012.  Knapp-Track™ is a monthly sales and guest count tracking service for chain dinner house/theme comparable restaurants with current subscribers accounting for over $32.1 billion in sales and over 10,400 restaurants.  Benihana received the number one position in 2011 as well after the success of its comprehensive Renewal Program focusing on enhancing every aspect of the guest experience including quality of food, steps of service and the restaurant facilities.  Sales at the 49-year old chain have consistently increased for 43 consecutive four-week periods, something especially noteworthy given the recent economic climate.

"We are extremely pleased with Benihana's continued sales growth," said Chief Executive Officer Richard Stockinger. "It is an honor to be ranked number one in the prestigious Knapp-Track™ survey two years in a row and now for the first five months of 2013. Our consistently strong performance reflects the strength of the iconic brand, the exceptional efforts of the entire Benihana team and the success of the Renewal Program."

Industry experts have taken note of Benihana's recent efforts and successes. Malcolm Knapp, founder of Knapp-Track™, referred to Benihana as having "regenerative DNA." Even though Benihana has been in business for almost 50 years, he noted that it is still finding ways to improve the brand and the guest experience. "They brought the food back to what it should have been and what it had been years before," Knapp said in the April 2013 issue of Nation's Restaurant News.

Benihana was purchased by the Private Equity Group of Angelo, Gordon & Co. in August 2012.

For more information about Benihana, please visit www.benihana.com.

About Benihana

Headquartered in Miami, Benihana Inc. is the nation's leading operator of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, with 94 restaurants nationwide, including 62 Benihana restaurants, seven Haru sushi restaurants and 25 RA Sushi restaurants. In addition, 15 franchised Benihana restaurants are operating in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. To learn more about Benihana Inc. and its three restaurant concepts, please view the corporate video at www.benihana.com/about/video. 

SOURCE Benihana Inc.