How many domestically owned STK venues does Benihana operate?
Benihana Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
| Venues | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STK(1) | Kona Grill | ONE Hospitality(2) | Total | ||
| Domestic | |||||
| Owned | 13 | 25 | 2 | 40 |
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 73–74)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Benihana's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the company operates 13 owned STK venues domestically. This figure is part of a broader overview of Benihana's venue portfolio, which includes both STK and Kona Grill brands, as well as ONE Hospitality venues. The document specifies the number of owned, managed, and licensed STK restaurants across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, but the table provides a clear breakdown of domestic venues.
For a prospective franchisee, this indicates the scale of Benihana's corporate presence in the domestic market. The number of company-owned locations can be an indicator of the brand's investment and direct involvement in its operations. It also provides a benchmark for comparison against the number of franchised locations, which could influence a franchisee's perception of support and brand consistency.
It is important to note that the FDD also mentions the company's strategy for expansion, which includes a mix of owned, licensed, and managed restaurants. This "capital light strategy" suggests that Benihana is not solely focused on company-owned growth, and prospective franchisees should consider how this approach might affect their own investment and operational strategies. Understanding the distribution of owned versus franchised locations can help a franchisee assess the potential for competition or collaboration within the Benihana system.
Furthermore, the FDD details the average domestic restaurant revenues for owned and managed STK restaurants, which can provide insight into the financial performance of these venues. While this data does not directly relate to the number of owned locations, it offers a broader context for evaluating the potential profitability and market demand for the STK brand.