According to Benihana's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, Mark Leach has served as the Chief Operating Officer since May 2019. Before joining Benihana, Mr. Leach was the Vice President of Operations for Morton's The Steakhouse/Mastro's Restaurants from October 1996 to May 2019. This demonstrates that Mr. Leach has extensive experience in the restaurant industry, with over thirty-five years in key roles with several leading brands.

For a prospective Benihana franchisee, this indicates that the company's operations are overseen by an experienced professional with a long history in the restaurant business. This can be reassuring, as it suggests a level of expertise and stability in the leadership team. Mr. Leach's prior experience at Morton's and Mastro's, both well-known steakhouse brands, could bring valuable insights and best practices to Benihana's operations.

Having a seasoned COO like Mr. Leach could translate to more efficient operations, better training programs, and a stronger overall support system for franchisees. His long tenure in the industry suggests he is well-versed in the challenges and opportunities that franchisees may face, potentially making him a valuable resource for problem-solving and strategic decision-making.