Which Benihana STK location is situated at the Los Cabos Airport?
Benihana Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
| Venue | Hotel/Casino/Special Venue | Location | Type of Interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| STK Atlanta | — Atlanta, Georgia | Owned | |
| STK Bellevue | — | Bellevue, Washington | Owned |
| STK Boston | — | Boston, Massachusetts | Owned |
| STK Charlotte | — | Charlotte, North Carolina | Owned |
| STK Chicago | — | Chicago, Illinois | Owned |
| STK Dallas | — | Dallas, Texas | Owned |
| STK Denver | — | Denver, Colorado | Owned |
| STK Doha | The Ritz-Carlton | Doha, Qatar | Licensed |
| STK Downtown (1) | — | New York, New York | Owned (2) |
| STK Dubai | Jumeirah Beach Residence | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Licensed |
| STK Ibiza | Ibiza Corso Hotel & Spa | Illes Balears, Spain | Licensed |
| STK Las Vegas | The Cosmopolitan | Las Vegas, Nevada | Managed |
| STK London | ME London | London, England | Managed |
| STK Los Cabos | Los Cabos Airport | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | Licensed |
| STK Miami Beach | — | Miami Beach, Florida | Owned |
| STK Midtown | — | New York, New York | Owned |
| STK Milan | ME Milan | Milan, Italy | Managed |
| STK Nashville | — | Nashville, Tennessee | Owned |
| STK Orlando (1) | Disney Springs | Orlando, Florida | Owned |
| STK Salt Lake City | — | Salt Lake City, Utah | Owned |
| STK San Diego (1) | Andaz Hotel | San Diego, California | Owned |
| STK San Juan | Condado Vanderbilt Hotel | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Licensed |
| STK San Francisco | — | San Francisco, California | Owned |
| STK Scottsdale (1) | — | Scottsdale, Arizona | Managed |
| STK Stratford | The Gantry London | London, England | Managed |
| STK Toronto | — | Toronto, Canada | Managed |
| STK Westwood | W Hotel | Los Angeles, California | Owned |
| STK Washington DC | Marriot Marquis | Washington, D.C. | Owned |
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 73–74)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Benihana's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the STK location situated at the Los Cabos Airport is in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. This particular STK is operated under a licensing agreement.
For a prospective Benihana franchisee, this indicates that the brand utilizes various operational models, including owned, managed, and licensed locations. The choice of model can depend on factors such as location and strategic capital investment decisions. The Los Cabos Airport location exemplifies Benihana's willingness to establish a presence in unique venues, potentially capturing a high volume of travelers.
The FDD also mentions that Benihana aims to continue expanding both domestically and internationally, using a mix of these operational models. This strategy, referred to as a "capital light strategy," allows for growth with less capital expenditure compared to solely owning restaurants. This approach may provide opportunities for franchisees or licensees in diverse locations, including special venues like airports.
It's important for potential franchisees to understand the terms and conditions associated with each type of operational agreement (owned, managed, or licensed). These agreements likely differ in terms of investment requirements, operational control, and revenue sharing. Further research into these specific agreement types is advisable for anyone considering a Benihana franchise.