Benihana was founded in 1964 in New York City by Rocky H. Aoki. The first restaurant was on W 56th Street.
The chain struggled until received a rave review from the New York Herald in 1965.
In 1968, the first restaurant opened outside of New York, in Chicago.
In 1982, the Benihana National Corporation went public.
By 1997, there were 47 restaurants.
In 1999, the company acquired Haru Sushi.
In 2002, the company acquired RA Sushi.
In 2007, the 100th restaurant was opened.
In 2008, founder Rocky Aoki died.
In 2012, the chain was acquired by Angelo Gordon & Company and taken private.
Today, Benihana operates nearly 120 Japanese cuisine restaurants worldwide. The chain also operates both Haru and RA sushi restaurants.
BenihanaBenihana was founded in 1964 in New York City by Rocky H. Aoki. The first restaurant was on W 56th Street.
The chain struggled until received a rave review from the New York Herald in 1965.
In 1968, the first restaurant opened outside of New York, in Chicago.
History
In 1982, the Benihana National Corporation went public.
By 1997, there were 47 restaurants.
In 1999, the company acquired Haru Sushi.
In 2002, the company acquired RA Sushi.
In 2007, the 100th restaurant was opened.
In 2008, founder Rocky Aoki died.
In 2012, the chain was acquired by Angelo Gordon & Company and taken private.
Today, Benihana operates nearly 120 Japanese cuisine restaurants worldwide. The chain also operates both Haru and RA sushi restaurants.
