When using the Benihana Marks, what written statement must a franchisee display at the restaurant and include on business forms?

According to Benihana's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, when using Benihana Marks, a franchisee must display a specific written statement at the restaurant and include it on business forms. This statement must clearly indicate that the restaurant and the franchisee's business are "independently owned and operated" as a franchisee of BNC (Benihana National Corporation). This requirement ensures that customers and other parties understand the relationship between the franchisee and the franchisor.

This requirement is fairly standard in franchising, as it helps to clarify the roles and responsibilities of each party. It protects Benihana's brand by ensuring that customers understand that individual locations are run by independent business owners, while still adhering to the franchisor's standards and system. It also protects the franchisee by making it clear that they are not directly controlled by the franchisor, but rather operate their business independently under a franchise agreement.

For a prospective Benihana franchisee, this means they must incorporate the specified statement into their restaurant's signage and all business-related paperwork. This includes letterheads, invoices, order forms, receipts, and contracts. Ensuring compliance with this requirement is essential to maintain a good standing with Benihana and avoid any potential breaches of the franchise agreement.