According to Benihana's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, Mark Leach currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer. He has been in this role since May 2019. Before joining Benihana, Mr. Leach served as Vice President of Operations for Morton's The Steakhouse/Mastro's Restaurants from October 1996 to May 2019.

Mr. Leach's extensive experience in the restaurant industry, spanning over thirty-five years, suggests he brings a wealth of knowledge to his current role at Benihana. His previous position as Vice President of Operations for Morton's The Steakhouse/Mastro's Restaurants indicates a strong background in managing restaurant operations, which is directly relevant to his responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer at Benihana.

For a prospective Benihana franchisee, having a Chief Operating Officer with such a long and varied background in the restaurant industry could be seen as a positive. It suggests that Benihana has experienced leadership overseeing the operational aspects of the business. This experience may translate into well-defined operational procedures and support systems for franchisees.