According to Benihana's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the net value of their deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2021, was $12,313. This figure represents the value of tax deductions or credits that Benihana has earned but has not yet used to reduce its tax liability. These assets arise from temporary differences between the book value of assets and liabilities and their tax bases, as well as from net operating loss carryforwards.

Deferred tax assets can be a significant component of a company's balance sheet, reflecting potential future tax benefits. For a prospective Benihana franchisee, understanding these assets provides insight into the financial health and tax planning strategies of the company. It indicates that Benihana has identified opportunities to reduce its future tax obligations, which can improve its overall profitability.

It's important to note that the realization of deferred tax assets depends on Benihana's ability to generate sufficient taxable income in the future to utilize these deductions and credits. The value is 'net' meaning it is presented after considering any valuation allowance. Benihana had a valuation allowance of $0.3 million related to foreign tax credits they did not expect to utilize as of December 31, 2021.