<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001157523-09-002561
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20090407
<ITEMS>2.02
<ITEMS>9.01
<FILING-DATE>20090407
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20090407
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>BENIHANA INC
<CIK>0000935226
<ASSIGNED-SIC>5812
<IRS-NUMBER>650538630
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>0330
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>8-K
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-26396
<FILM-NUMBER>09736319
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>8685 NW 53RD TERRACE
<CITY>MIAMI
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>33166
<PHONE>3055930770
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>8685 NW 53RD TERRACE
<CITY>MIAMI
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>33166
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a5934373.htm
<DESCRIPTION>BENIHANA INC. 8-K
<TEXT>
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    <p style="text-align: center">
      <font style="font-size: 12pt"><b>UNITED STATES</b></font><font style="font-size: 12pt"><br style="font-size: 12pt"></font><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt"><b>SECURITIES
      AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</b></font><font style="font-size: 12pt"><br style="font-size: 12pt"></font><font style="font-size: 12pt"><b>Washington,
      D.C. &#160;20549</b></font><br><br><br><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt"><b>FORM
      8-K</b></font><br><br><br><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt"><b>CURRENT
      REPORT</b></font><br><br><br><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt"><b>Pursuant
      to Section 13 or 15(d) of the</b></font><br><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt"><b>Securities
      Exchange Act of 1934</b></font><br><br>
    </p>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-family: Times New Roman; width: 100%; font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0">
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          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">
            Date of report (date of earliest event reported):
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; text-align: center; width: 40%" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">
            <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt"><b>April
            7, 2009</b></font>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <p style="text-align: center">

    </p>
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      <tr>
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          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt"><b>BENIHANA
            INC.</b></font>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <p style="text-align: center">

    </p>
    <div style="text-align:left">
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        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; text-align: center; width: 30%" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>Delaware</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="width: 5%">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; padding-right: 0.0px; width: 30%" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>0-26396</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="width: 5%">
          &#160;
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; padding-right: 0.0px; width: 30%" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>65-0538630</b>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; width: 30%" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            (State or other jurisdiction
          </p>
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            of incorporation)
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="width: 5%">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; width: 30%" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            (Commission
          </p>
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            File Number)
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="width: 5%">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; width: 30%" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            (I.R.S. Employer
          </p>
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Identification No.)
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <p>

    </p>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-family: Times New Roman; width: 100%; font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; text-align: center; width: 67%" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>8685 Northwest 53rd Terrace, Miami, Florida</b>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; padding-right: 0.0px; width: 33%" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>33166</b>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; width: 67%" valign="bottom">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">(Address
            of principal executive offices)</font>
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center; width: 33%" valign="bottom">
          <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">(Zip
          Code)</font>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-family: Times New Roman; width: 100%; font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; width: 60%" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Registrant&#8217;s telephone number, including area code:
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; text-align: center; white-space: nowrap; padding-right: 0.0px; width: 40%" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>(305) 593-0770</b>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-family: Times New Roman; width: 100%; font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; text-align: center" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>None</b>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: center" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Former name or former address, if changed since last report
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <p>
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">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 </font>(see General Instruction A.2. below):
    </p>
    <p>
      <font style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS; font-size: 10pt">&#8414;</font>
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">Written
      communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
      230.425)</font>
    </p>
    <p>
      <font style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS; font-size: 10pt">&#8414;</font>
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">Soliciting
      material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14a-12)</font>
    </p>
    <p>
      <font style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS; font-size: 10pt">&#8414;</font>
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14d-2(b))</font>
    </p>
    <p>
      <font style="font-family: Arial Unicode MS; font-size: 10pt">&#8414;</font>
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">Pre-commencement
      communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.13e-4(c))</font>
    </p>
    <div style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; width: 100%">
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: left">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="page-break-after: always">
        <div style="text-align: center">

        </div>
        <div style="text-align: center">
          <hr style="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: right">

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <p>

    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt"><b>Item
      2.02&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </b></font><b><u><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">Results
      of Operations and Financial Condition</font></u></b><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt"><br style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt"></font>
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px; text-align: left">
      On April 7, 2009, the Registrant issued a press release announcing its
      sales results for the fourth fiscal quarter and full year ended March
      29, 2009.&#160;&#160;A copy of the press release is included with this Report as
      Exhibit 99.1.
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">

    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt"><b>Item
      9.01&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</b></font><b><u><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">Financial
      Statements and Exhibits</font></u></b><font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt"><br style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt"></font>
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px; text-align: left">
      (c) Exhibit 99.1.&#160;&#160;Press Release of Benihana Inc. dated April 7, 2009.
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">

    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 30.0px; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">

    </p>
    <p>

    </p>
    <p style="text-align: center">
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt"><b>SIGNATURES</b></font>
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 60.0px; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">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.</font>
    </p>
    <p style="text-indent: 60.0px; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 10pt">

    </p>
    <div style="text-align:left">
    <table style="margin-bottom: 10.0px; font-family: Times New Roman; width: 100%; font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0">
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 7%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 48%">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; width: 45%" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            <b>BENIHANA INC.</b>
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 7%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 48%">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; width: 45%" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            &#160;
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 7%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 48%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 45%">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 7%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 48%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 45%">
          &#160;
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; width: 7%" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Dated:
          </p>
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; padding-bottom: 2.0px; width: 48%" valign="top">
          April 7, 2009
        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; border-bottom: solid black 1.0pt; text-align: left; width: 45%" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            By: /s/ Jose I. Ortega
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 7%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 48%">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; width: 45%" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Jose I. Ortega
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
      <tr>
        <td style="width: 7%">

        </td>
        <td style="width: 48%">

        </td>
        <td style="padding-left: 0.0px; text-align: left; width: 45%" valign="top">
          <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px">
            Vice President of Finance
          </p>
        </td>
      </tr>
    </table>
    </div>
    <p>

    </p>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>a5934373ex991.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.1
<TEXT>
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    <p style="text-align: right">
      <b>Exhibit 99.1</b>
    </p>
    <p style="text-align: center">
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt"><b>Benihana
      Inc. Reports Total Restaurant Sales and Comparable Restaurant Sales for
      the Fourth Fiscal Quarter &amp; Full Year 2009</b></font>
    </p>
    <p style="text-align: center">
      <font style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 12pt"><b>Company
      Updates Development Activity</b></font>
    </p>
    <p>
      MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 2009--Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ: BNHNA;
      BNHN), operator of the nation&#8217;s largest chain of Japanese theme and
      sushi restaurants, today reported total restaurant sales and comparable
      restaurant sales for the twelve-week fourth fiscal quarter and fifty-two
      week fiscal year ended March 29, 2009. The Company also updated its
      recent development activity.
    </p>
    <p>
      <b>Fourth Fiscal Quarter 2009 Restaurant Sales</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      Total restaurant sales increased 5.4% to $73.6 million in the fourth
      fiscal quarter 2009 from $69.8 million in the fourth fiscal quarter
      2008. For the fourth fiscal quarter 2009, Company-wide comparable
      restaurant sales were (10.4%), including (12.2%) at Benihana teppanyaki,
      (1.2%) at RA Sushi, and (12.6%) at Haru.
    </p>
    <p>
      During the period, Benihana teppanyaki represented approximately 68.4%
      of consolidated restaurant sales, while RA Sushi and Haru accounted for
      21.4% and 10.2% of consolidated restaurant sales, respectively. There
      were a total of 1,131 store-operating weeks in the fourth fiscal quarter
      of 2009 compared to 971 store-operating weeks in the fourth fiscal
      quarter of 2008.
    </p>
    <p>
      <b>Fiscal Year 2009 Restaurant Sales</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      Total restaurant sales for the fifty-two week fiscal year ended March
      29, 2009 increased 2.9% to $303.9 million from $295.2 million in the
      fifty-two week fiscal year ended March 30, 2008. For fiscal year 2009,
      Company-wide comparable restaurant sales decreased (8.0%), including
      (7.7%) at Benihana teppanyaki, (7.5%) at RA Sushi, and (10.6%) at Haru.
    </p>
    <p>
      For fiscal year 2009, Benihana teppanyaki represented approximately
      68.1% of consolidated restaurant sales, while RA Sushi and Haru
      accounted for 20.2% and 11.7% of consolidated restaurant sales,
      respectively. There were a total of 4,603 store-operating weeks in
      fiscal year 2009 compared to 4,115 store-operating weeks in fiscal year
      2008.
    </p>
    <p>
      &#8220;Our fiscal year 2009 restaurant sales were in line with prior
      expectations, and we are encouraged that our quarterly Company-wide
      comparable sales were slightly higher on a sequential basis, with
      notable improvement at RA Sushi. While it would be premature to suggest
      that a full economic recovery is imminent, we believe that overall guest
      counts are beginning to stabilize, and are more hopeful that trends
      could improve from these levels as we move into fiscal year 2010. As
      always, we place the highest importance on differentiating our
      restaurant concepts, highlighting the distinct attributes of our dining
      experience, and providing value to our cost-conscious guests. Our
      successful execution of these key attributes will help ensure that we
      maintain their loyalty in these trying times,&#8221; said Richard C.
      Stockinger, Chief Executive Officer.
    </p>
    <div style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-indent: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; width: 100%">
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: left">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div style="page-break-after: always">
        <div style="text-align: center">

        </div>
        <div style="text-align: center">
          <hr style="height: 1.5pt; color: black">

        </div>
      </div>
      <div>
        <div style="text-align: right">

        </div>
      </div>
    </div>
    <p>
      <b>Development Activity</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      As previously announced, during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2009, the
      Company continued its development of new restaurants, adding two new
      Benihana teppanyaki locations to its portfolio. The Company opened in
      Coral Springs, Florida, near the Coral Square Mall, and in Columbus,
      Ohio, at Polaris Fashion Place. In addition, the Benihana teppanyaki
      restaurant located in Memphis, Tennessee, which was previously destroyed
      by a fire, was re-opened. Additionally, a second franchise location was
      opened in Chile, during the fiscal fourth quarter.
    </p>
    <p>
      During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company is planning to open
      three RA Sushi restaurants in Houston, Texas; Leawood, Kansas; and
      Atlanta, Georgia, along with one Benihana teppanyaki restaurant in
      Orlando, Florida.
    </p>
    <p>
      <b>About Benihana</b>
    </p>
    <p>
      Benihana Inc. (Nasdaq: BNHNA - News) (Nasdaq: BNHN - News) operates 95
      restaurants nationwide, including 64 Benihana teppanyaki restaurants,
      nine Haru sushi restaurants, and 22 RA Sushi Bar restaurants. Under
      development at present are nine restaurants -- four Benihana teppanyaki
      restaurants and five RA Sushi restaurants. In addition, 21 franchised
      Benihana teppanyaki restaurants are operating in the U.S., Latin America
      and the Caribbean.
    </p>
    <p>
      To learn more about the Company and its three Japanese theme and sushi
      restaurant concepts, please view the corporate video at
      www.benihana.com/about/video.
    </p>
    <p>

    </p>
    <p>
      CONTACT:<br>ICR<br>Raphael Gross or Tom Ryan, 203-682-8200
    </p>
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