factual

What is the nature of the franchise license granted to operate a Benihana Restaurant?

Benihana Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

rance, and customer service that are a critical part of the BENIHANA System, and Franchisee acknowledges the necessity of operating the BENIHANA Restaurant franchised under this Agreement in conformity with the BENIHANA System, including the BENIHANA Standards.

  • G. Franchisee seeks a license to use the Marks and the BENIHANA System in connection with the operation of a BENIHANA Restaurant at a single location specified in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1. GRANT OF FRANCHISE AND FRANCHISE TERM

  • 1.1 The INTRODUCTION paragraphs set forth above are hereby incorporated in this Article 1 by reference as if set forth fully herein.
  • 1.2 BNC grants to Franchisee, and Franchisee accepts, a non-exclusive franchise license to operate a single BENIHANA Restaurant (the "Restaurant") at the specific location approved by BNC and identified in the Contract Data Sheet attached as Exhibit A hereto (the "Location"), using the Marks and the BENIHANA System in accordance with the BENIHANA Standards and the terms of this Agreement. Franchisee expressly acknowledges that the franchise license granted under this Agreement is non-exclusive and that any geographic limitation on BNC's rights to use or license the Marks under this Agreement relates solely to the operation of a BENIHANA Restaurant at the Location.
  • 1.3 Unless sooner terminated under with the provisions of this Agreement, the franchise license granted to Franchisee will begin on the Effective Date set forth in the Contract Data Sheet and end fifteen (15) years from the date the Restaurant opens for business to the public (the

"Franchise Term"). Franchisee agrees to operate the Restaurant in accordance with this Agreement at the Location for the entire Franchise Term.

  • 1.4 The grant of a franchise license under this Agreement is specifically limited to operating the Restaurant at the Location, and it does not grant, or imply the grant of, rights regarding any other BENIHANA Restaurant at any other location. Other than with respect to the Restaurant at the Location, Franchisee has no right under this Agreement or otherwise to use, license, sublicense, or franchise others to use the Marks or the BENIHANA System, and Franchisee is not granted any options, rights of first refusal or development opportunities.
  • 1.5 During the Franchise Term, if Franchisee is in full compliance with the provisions and conditions of this Agreement, and subject to BNC's rights set forth in Section 1.6 of this Agreement, BNC will not operate or license any person or entity other than Franchisee to operate, a BENIHANA Restaurant at any location within the "Restaurant Area" specified in the Contract Data Sheet attached to this Agreement.
  • 1.6 Nothing in this Agreement limits in any way any rights of BNC or its affiliates to: (i) own, operate, or license to others the right to own and operate, competing restaurants other than a BENIHANA Restaurant at any location, including within the Restaurant Area, including but not limited to restaurants using the trademarks RA® SUSHI or HARU®; (ii) own, operate, or license to others the right to own and operate, BENIHANA Restaurants outside the Restaurant Area, even if those BENIHANA Restaurants compete with the Restaurant or draw customers from the Restaurant Area; (iii) directly or indirectly, produce, distribute, sell (at wholesale, retail or otherwise), or license the sale of any product or service using the Marks, or other marks, through alternative channels of distribution (including, by way of example only, grocery stores, convenience stores, internet sales, catalog sales, telemarketing or other direct marketing) regardless of the proximity to, or the competitive impact on, the Restaurant; (iv) license others to use the BENIHANA System and the Marks for the operation of BENIHANA Restaurants within Special Distribution Opportunities (as defined below), including within the Restaurant Area; (v) advertise and promote the BENIHANA System within the Restaurant Area;

Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 74–576)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to Benihana's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise license granted is non-exclusive, allowing the franchisee to operate a single Benihana Restaurant at a specific location approved by Benihana. This license permits the use of Benihana's trademarks and operational system, adhering to the brand's standards and the terms outlined in the franchise agreement. The franchisee acknowledges that this license is not exclusive, meaning Benihana retains the right to operate or license other Benihana Restaurants, subject to certain geographic limitations specified in the agreement.

The franchise license is limited to the operation of a Benihana Restaurant at the designated location and does not grant any rights regarding other Benihana Restaurants at different locations. The franchisee cannot use, license, sublicense, or franchise others to use the Benihana trademarks or system, and they are not granted any options, rights of first refusal, or development opportunities beyond the single location. The franchise term begins on the effective date and lasts for fifteen years from the restaurant's opening date, during which the franchisee must operate the restaurant in accordance with the agreement.

During the franchise term, if the franchisee is in full compliance with the agreement, Benihana will not operate or license any other entity to operate a Benihana Restaurant within the "Restaurant Area" specified in the contract. However, Benihana retains the right to operate or license other restaurant concepts, including those that compete with Benihana, and can also engage in alternative distribution channels for products and services using the Benihana trademarks. This includes the right to license the Benihana system for operations within Special Distribution Opportunities, even within the franchisee's Restaurant Area. Benihana also has the right to engage in business transactions with other businesses, including competing franchise systems, and to convert and operate these units under the Benihana system.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.