Which STK Rooftop location is licensed by Benihana?
Benihana Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
(1) Locations with an STK and STK Rooftop are considered one venue location. This includes the STK Rooftop in San Diego, CA, which is a licensed location.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 73–74)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Benihana's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, STK Rooftop in San Diego, CA is a licensed location. Benihana considers locations with an STK and STK Rooftop as one venue location.
This means that while Benihana may own or manage other STK Rooftop locations, the San Diego location operates under a licensing agreement. In general, Benihana expands operations through a mix of owned, licensed, and managed restaurants, referring to their licensing and management strategy as a "capital light strategy" because it requires less capital than solely owning restaurants.
For a prospective franchisee, understanding the specific terms and conditions of the licensing agreement for the STK Rooftop in San Diego would be crucial. This includes details about fees, responsibilities, and the level of control Benihana retains over the operation. It's also important to note that another STK Rooftop location in Scottsdale is managed, not licensed.