Mr. Schwartz: We are the leading Asian restaurant chain in the United States. We have 51 Teppanyaki style restaurants in operation in the US, as well as 15 franchised Benihana Teppanyaki restaurants throughout the United States, South America and the Carribean, as well as five sushi restaurants. Benihana is one of the most recognized brand names in the US, associated with quality food and service. One of the things I'm most proud of is that Benihana recently celebrated its 36th year of operation. We have continued to grow, and we continue to be profitable. I don't know of any other restaurant chain that could say after 36 years that it still continues to grow and remain as profitable as we have.
TWST: How do you account for your success?
Mr. Schwartz: We pay attention to what our diners want. As a result, our
net sales have grown, and continue to grow, at over 12% compounded
annually. I could expand on that by pointing out that over a five-year
period Benihana's compounded growth rate is over 18%. Our operating
profit has increased even faster, by 23.4%. So, as you can see, when I
say we continue to grow, we truly do.
Tickers included in this excerpt: BNHN
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