                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT


                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934


       Date of report (date of earliest event reported):    November 16, 2004
                                                        ------------------------


                                  BENIHANA INC.
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


        Delaware                         0-26396                 65-0538630
----------------------------       -------------------      -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction           (Commission           (I.R.S. Employer
     of incorporation)                 File Number)         Identification No.)


8685 Northwest 53rd Terrace, Miami, Florida                  33166
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(Address of principal executive offices)                  (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (305) 593-0770


                                      None
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           Former name or former address, if changed since last report


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
    Act (17CFR230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
    (17 CFR240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
    Exchange Act (17CFR240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
    Exchange Act (17CFR240.13e-4(c))

<PAGE>

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition
          ---------------------------------------------

     On November 16, 2004, the Registrant issued a press release announcing its
earnings press release for the fiscal quarter ended October 10, 2004. A copy of
the press release is included with this Report as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
          ---------------------------------

     (c) Exhibit 99.1. Press Release of Benihana Inc. dated November 16, 2004.


                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                                         BENIHANA INC.



                                         By:  /s/ Michael R. Burris
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Michael R. Burris
                                         Senior Vice President of
                                         Finance and Treasurer



