What was the total number of Benihana outlets operating in 2024?
Benihana Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
| OUTLET TYPE | YEAR | OUTLETS AT THE START OF THE YEAR | OUTLETS AT THE END OF THE YEAR | NET CHANGE* (+ or -) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franchised | 2022 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 2023 | 6 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 7 | 8* | 1 | |
| Company- | 2022 | 66 | 66 | 0 |
| Owned | ||||
| 2023 | 66 | 67 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 67 | 69 | 2 | |
| Total | 2022 | 72 | 72 | 0 |
| 2023 | 72 | 74 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 74 | 77* | 3* |
Source: Item 20 — OUTLETS AND FRANCHISEE INFORMATION LIST OF OUTLETS (FDD pages 67–72)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Benihana's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the total number of Benihana outlets operating at the end of the year 2024 was 77. This number includes both franchised and company-owned restaurants. Specifically, there were 8 franchised outlets and 69 company-owned outlets in operation at the close of 2024.
For a prospective franchisee, this indicates the overall size and scale of Benihana's operations. It demonstrates the relative proportion of franchised versus company-owned locations, which can offer insights into Benihana's strategic approach to growth and market penetration. A higher number of company-owned locations might suggest a greater degree of corporate control and standardization, while a strong franchise network could indicate a focus on leveraging local expertise and capital.
It is important to note that one franchised outlet in Michigan closed after the end of the fiscal year 2024 but was still included in the year's totals. This detail highlights that the numbers presented in the FDD reflect a specific reporting period and may not perfectly align with the current, real-time count of operational restaurants. Additionally, Benihana operates a teppanyaki-style restaurant under the SAMURAI® brand, and an affiliate operates RA® Sushi restaurants, which are not included in the outlet data, but offer a limited menu of Benihana items for delivery or takeout only.