BENIHANA INC
10-Q, 2000-08-24
EATING PLACES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

     [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                       For the Quarter Ended July 16, 2000

                                       or,

     [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                           Commission File No. 0-26396

                                  Benihana Inc.
                      ------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


              Delaware                           65-0538630
             ----------                      -------------------
   (State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)             Identification No.)


                8685 Northwest 53rd Terrace, Miami, Florida     33166
                -------------------------------------------     -----
               (Address of principal executive offices)       (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (305) 593-0770
                                                           --------------


                                      None
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report


         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X    No

         Indicate  by  number  of  shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.


   Common Stock $.10 par value, 3,576,616 shares outstanding at August 9, 2000


        Class A Common Stock $.10 par value, 2,588,214 shares outstanding
                               at August 9, 2000




<PAGE>


BENIHANA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE
FOUR PERIODS ENDED JULY 16, 2000





TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                       PAGE
PART I - Financial Information

         Consolidated Balance Sheets at July 16, 2000
          (unaudited) and March 26, 2000                               1

         Consolidated Statements of Earnings
          (unaudited) for the Four Periods Ended
          July 16, 2000 and July 18, 1999                              2

         Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity
          (unaudited) for the Four Periods Ended
          July 16, 2000                                                3

         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
          (unaudited) for the Four Periods Ended
          July 16, 2000 and July 18, 1999                              4

         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
          (unaudited)                                                  5 - 6

         Management's Discussion and Analysis of
          Financial Condition and Results of
          Operations                                                   7 - 11


PART II - Other Information                                            12




<PAGE>


BENIHANA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I - Financial Information

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 (In thousands, except share and per share information)

                                                           (Unaudited)
                                                             July 16,  March 26,
                                                               2000      2000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets:
    Cash and equivalents                                      $ 1,968  $  1,165
    Receivables                                                   406       481
    Inventories                                                 3,564     3,613
    Prepaid expenses                                              715       765
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Assets                                            6,653     6,024

Property and equipment, net                                    46,981    43,564
Deferred income taxes, net                                      3,174     3,290
Goodwill, net                                                  17,099    17,302
Other assets                                                    5,300     5,265
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                              $79,207   $75,445
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses                     $14,857   $14,552
    Current maturity of bank debt                               2,000     1,750
    Current maturities of other long-term debt                    230       251
    Current maturities of obligations
         under capital leases                                     629       629
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Liabilities                                      17,716    17,182

Long-term debt - bank                                          13,500    12,500
Long-term debt - other                                             82       145
Obligations under capital leases                                1,879     2,073

Stockholders' Equity:
    Preferred stock - $1.00 par value;
         authorized - 5,000,000 shares, issued
         and outstanding - 700 shares                               1         1
    Common stock - $.10 par value;
         convertible into Class A Common, authorized -
         12,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding -
         3,576,616 shares                                         358       358
    Class A common stock - $.10 par value;
         authorized - 20,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding
         2,588,214 shares and 2,580,202 shares, respectively      259       258
    Additional paid-in capital                                 14,819    14,756
    Retained earnings                                          30,709    28,288
    Treasury stock - 9,177 shares at cost                        (116)     (116)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity                                     46,030    43,545
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                              $79,207   $75,445
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See notes to consolidated financial statements


<PAGE>



BENIHANA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(UNAUDITED)

 (In thousands, except per share information)


                                                            Four Periods Ended
                                                            ------------------
                                                            July 16,   July 18,
                                                              2000       1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues
Net restaurant food and beverage sales                       $46,718    $39,392
Other income, principally franchise fees and royalties           351        289
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Revenues                                                47,069     39,681

Costs and Expenses
Cost of restaurant food and beverage sales                    13,062     10,662
Restaurant expenses                                           27,240     23,253
Store opening costs                                              595         35
General and administrative expenses                            2,155      1,870
Interest expense                                                 462        319
Minority interest                                                 26
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Costs and Expenses                                      43,540     36,139
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income from operations before income taxes                     3,529      3,542
Income tax provision                                           1,094      1,204
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net Income                                                  $  2,435    $ 2,338
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per common share                             $    .39    $   .38
Diluted earnings per common share                           $    .37    $   .36
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See notes to consolidated financial statements


<PAGE>


BENIHANA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share information)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                            Class A       Additional                                     Total
                                 Preferred     Common        Common        Paid-in        Retained       Treasury     Stockholders'
                                    Stock       Stock         Stock        Capital        Earnings        Stock          Equity
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>
Balance, March 26, 2000               $1         $358         $258         $14,756        $28,288         ($116)         $43,545

Net income                                                                                  2,435                          2,435

Dividend on preferred stock                                                                   (14)                           (14)

Issuance of 8,012 shares of
   class A common stock under
   exercise of options                                            1             63                                            64



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, July 16, 2000                 $1         $358         $259        $14,819        $30,709         ($116)         $46,030
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements



<PAGE>


BENIHANA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

 (In thousands)

                                                           Four Periods Ended
                                                        -----------------------
                                                           July 16,    July 18,
                                                             2000        1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Activities:
Net income                                                  $2,435      $2,338
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
    cash provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization                            1,471       1,317
    Deferred income taxes                                      116         116
    Change in operating assets and liabilities that
         provided (used) cash:
              Accounts receivable                               75         (70)
              Inventories                                       48        (314)
              Prepaid expenses                                  50         (73)
              Other assets                                    (191)       (292)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses                          304        (509)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities                    4,308       2,513
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investing activities:
Expenditures for property and equipment                     (4,529)     (2,235)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities                       (4,529)     (2,235)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financing Activities:
Borrowings under revolving credit facility                   2,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock                          64          70
Repayment of long-term debt and obligations
    under capital leases                                    (1,026)       (912)
Dividend paid on preferred stock                               (14)        (13)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities          1,024        (855)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents           803        (577)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year                 1,165       1,684
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                    $1,968      $1,107
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid during the four periods:
    Interest                                                $  414      $  392
    Income taxes                                             1,031       1,022




See notes to consolidated financial statements.



<PAGE>


BENIHANA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOUR PERIODS ENDED JULY 16, 2000 AND JULY 18, 1999
(UNAUDITED)


1.  GENERAL

    The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and reflect
    all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments at July 16,
    2000 and July 18, 1999) which are, in the opinion of  management,  necessary
    for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations. The
    results of operations  for the four periods  (sixteen  weeks) ended July 16,
    2000 and July 18, 1999 are not  necessarily  indicative of the results to be
    expected  for the full year.  Certain  information  and  footnotes  normally
    included in  financial  statements  prepared in  accordance  with  generally
    accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. The Company's
    fiscal year is a 52/53-week year.

2.       BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACQUISITION

    The Company's  financial  statements  and the  discussion and data presented
    below  reflect the  acquisition  by the Company of 80% of the equity of Haru
    Holding Corp. ("Haru") on December 6, 1999. Haru owns and operates two sushi
    restaurants in New York City. The purchase price paid in cash at closing was
    approximately $8.4 million. The acquisition has been accounted for using the
    purchase  method of accounting  and the operating  results of Haru have been
    included in the  Company's  current  fiscal year  consolidated  statement of
    operations  since the date of  acquisition.  The  ownership  of the minority
    interest including  attributable  income and losses is reflected as minority
    interest.  The excess of the purchase  price over the acquired  tangible and
    intangible  net assets of  approximately  $5.8 million has been allocated to
    goodwill  and is being  amortized  on a  straight-line  basis over 15 years.
    Additionally,  lease  acquisition  costs of $2.1 million relating to a lease
    for a Haru  restaurant  under  construction  in the Times Square area of New
    York City were  included in the  purchase  price.  The costs to acquire this
    lease will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining 14 years
    balance of the lease term.

3.       NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS NOT YET ADOPTED

    In June 1998, FAS 133,  "Accounting  for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging
    Activities"  was issued.  The new statement  requires all  derivatives to be
    recorded on the balance sheet at fair value and  establishes  new accounting
    rules  for  hedging  instruments.  The  statement  is  effective  for  years
    beginning  after June 15, 2000.  Company  management is assessing the impact
    this statement will have on the consolidated financial statements,  but does
    not currently believe it will be material.

4.  INVENTORIES

    Inventories consist of (in thousands):

                                              July 16,               March 26,
                                                2000                   2000
                                             ----------              ---------

    Food and beverage                          $1,500                   $1,450
    Supplies                                    2,064                    2,163
                                               ------                   ------

                                               $3,564                   $3,613
                                               ======                   ======



<PAGE>




BENIHANA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOUR PERIODS ENDED JULY 16, 2000 AND JULY 18, 1999
(UNAUDITED)


5.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

    Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income available
    to common  shareholders  by the  weighted  average  number of common  shares
    outstanding  during each  period.  The  diluted  earnings  per common  share
    computation  includes  dilutive  common share  equivalents  issued under the
    Company's  various  stock option plans and  dilutive  convertible  preferred
    stock.

     The  following  data shows the amounts  (in  thousands)  used in  computing
     earnings per share and the effect on income and the weighted average number
     of shares of dilutive potential common stock.


                                                      Four Periods Ended
                                                     ---------------------
                                                 July 16,            July 18,
                                                   2000                1999
                                                ----------          ----------

     Net income                                  $2,435               $2,338
     Less preferred dividends                       (14)                 (13)
                                                ----------        -------------
     Income for computation of basic
         earnings per common share                 2,421                2,325
     Convertible preferred stock                      14                   13
                                                 ---------         ------------

     Income for computation of diluted
         earnings per common share                $2,435               $2,338
                                                  ======               ======



                                                       Four Periods Ended
                                                     ---------------------
                                                  July 16,           July 18,
                                                    2000               1999
                                                 ------------       ----------
     Weighted average number of
          common shares used in basic
          earnings per share                       6,164                6,142
     Effect of dilutive securities:
          Stock options                              376                  320
     Convertible preferred stock                     105                  105
                                                 ----------          ---------
     Weighted average number of
          common shares and dilutive
          potential common stock used
          in diluted earnings per share             6,645               6,567
                                                    =====              ======




<PAGE>


BENIHANA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


OVERVIEW

The Company's  revenues  consist of sales of food and beverages  sold in each of
the owned  restaurants  and franchise  fees received from  franchisees.  Cost of
restaurant food and beverages sold represents the direct cost of the ingredients
for the prepared food and beverages sold.  Restaurant expenses consist of direct
and  indirect  labor,  occupancy  costs,  advertising  and other  costs that are
directly attributed to each restaurant location.

Restaurant  revenues  and  expenses  are  dependent  upon a  number  of  factors
including  the number of  restaurants  in operation  and  restaurant  patronage.
Revenues  are  also  dependent  on  the  average  check  amount.   Expenses  are
additionally dependent upon commodity costs, average wage rates, marketing costs
and the costs of interest and administering restaurant operations.

The Company's  revenues,  net income and diluted earnings per share increased in
the current four periods when  compared to the  equivalent  periods in the prior
year. The improved results reflect a continued increase in sales for restaurants
opened  longer  than one year and the  addition of the two Haru  restaurants  in
Manhattan.  The  increased  revenues  combined  with the fixed nature of certain
costs and  expenses  increased  net  income to $2,435  from  $2,338 for the four
periods ended July 16, 2000.  Diluted  earnings per share also increased to $.37
from $.36 from the previous comparable periods.

REVENUES

The amounts of sales and the changes in amount and  percentage  change in amount
of revenues from the previous fiscal year are shown in the following tables.

                                               Four Periods Ended
                                            --------------------------
                                            July 16,           July 18,
                                              2000               1999
                                           ---------           ---------

Net restaurant sales                        $46,718            $39,392
Other income, principally
    franchise fees and royalties                351                289
                                           ----------        ----------

Total Revenues                              $47,069            $39,681
                                            =======            =======


                                                Four Periods Ended
                                             ------------------------
                                             July 16,         July 18,
                                               2000             1999
                                            ----------       ----------

Amount of change in total
     revenues from previous year            $  7,388           $ 4,863

Percentage of change from the
     previous year                              18.6%             14.0%




<PAGE>


BENIHANA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Four  Periods  Ended  July 16,  2000  compared  to July 18,  1999 --  Restaurant
revenues  continued  to  increase  in the four  periods  ended July 16,  2000 as
compared to the equivalent periods ended July 18, 1999. The increase in revenues
is attributable to increased customer traffic for restaurants opened longer than
one year of 9.9% for the current four periods  when  compared to the  comparable
prior year periods. Haru operations acquired in December 1999 contributed $2,591
to the increase. Comparable restaurant sales increased 11.3% in the four periods
when compared to the prior equivalent  periods.  Other income increased 21.5% in
the four  periods of the current year as compared to the  equivalent  periods of
the prior year as a result of increased franchise royalties.

COSTS AND EXPENSES

Costs of restaurant  sales,  which are generally  variable with sales,  directly
increased  with changes in revenues for the four periods  ended July 16, 2000 as
compared to the  equivalent  periods ended July 18, 1999.  The  following  table
reflects the proportion that the various  elements of costs and expenses bore to
sales and the  changes in amounts  and  percentage  changes in amounts  from the
previous year's four periods.

                                                      Four Periods Ended
                                                    ----------------------
                                                    July 16,       July 18,
                                                      2000           1999
                                                    --------       --------
COST AS A PERCENTAGE OF
RESTAURANT SALES:
Cost of restaurant food and
     beverage sales                                  28.0%           27.1%
Restaurant expenses                                  58.3%           59.0%
Store opening costs                                   1.3%            0.1%
General and administrative expenses                   4.6%            4.8%

AMOUNT OF CHANGE FROM
PREVIOUS YEAR (IN THOUSANDS):
Cost of restaurant food and
     beverage sales                                $2,400          $1,506
Restaurant expenses                                $3,987          $1,621
Store opening costs                                $  560          $    0
General and administrative expenses                $  285          $   86

PERCENTAGE CHANGE FROM
PREVIOUS YEAR:
Cost of restaurant food and
     beverage sales                                  22.5%           16.4%
Restaurant expenses                                  17.1%            7.5%
Store opening costs                                1600.0%             -
General and administrative expenses                  15.2%            4.8%




<PAGE>


BENIHANA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Four Periods  Ended July 16, 2000  compared to July 18, 1999 -- The cost of food
and beverage sales increased in dollar amount and when expressed as a percentage
of sales in the current four periods compared to equivalent periods in the prior
year. The increase  resulted from higher  commodities  costs in the current four
periods compared to the prior year equivalent periods.

Restaurant expenses increased in dollar amount and decreased when expressed as a
percentage of sales in the current four periods. The increase in absolute dollar
amount is  attributable  to the  aforementioned  increase  in sales.  Restaurant
expenses for the current four periods  decreased  when expressed as a percentage
of sales. The decrease in restaurant  expenses when expressed as a percentage of
sales is attributable to the fixed nature of certain costs and expenses  coupled
with the increase in sales.

Store opening  costs  increased in the current four periods when compared to the
prior year  equivalent  periods as a result of costs  relating to new restaurant
properties  under  development.  Store opening costs are expected to increase as
the Company continues to develop new restaurant properties.

General and administrative  costs increased in total dollar amount and decreased
when expressed as a percentage of sales in the current four periods.  Management
does not consider the increase in absolute  amount to be material.  The decrease
when expressed as a percentage of sales is due to the aforementioned increase in
sales.

Interest  costs  increased  in the current  four  periods  when  compared to the
comparable  period  of the prior  year.  The  increase  is  attributable  to the
additional borrowings relating to the Haru acquisition.

The Company's  effective  income tax rate decreased in the four periods to 31.0%
from 34.0 % in the prior year's four periods.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company does not require  significant  amounts of inventory or  receivables,
and, as is typical of many  restaurant  companies,  the Company does not have to
provide  financing for such assets and operates with a working capital  deficit.
Cash flow provided  from  operations  has been  sufficient to meet the Company's
financial  obligations  as they come due. Cash required to provide for expansion
either through  acquisition or new store  development has been met by borrowings
on the  Company's  existing  line of credit or its master  lease  facility.  The
Company requires capital principally for the construction and development of new
restaurants,  acquisitions of other restaurant businesses, and the refurbishment
of existing restaurant units.

Operating Activities

Net cash  provided by operating  activities  totaled  $4,308 in the current four
periods  ended July 16, 2000 as compared  to $2,513 in the  previous  comparable
period ended July 18, 1999.  The increase is mostly  attributable  to changes in
operating  assets and liabilities that provided cash in the current four periods
and used cash in the previous comparable period.





<PAGE>




BENIHANA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Investing Activities

Expenditures for property and equipment  increased over the comparable period in
the previous year as a result of new restaurants under development.

Four of the new restaurants will operate as traditional  Benihana restaurants in
Irving,  Texas,  Santa  Monica,  California,  Westbury,  New York and  Wheeling,
Illinois.  One new restaurant  will be operated as a Sushi Doraku by Benihana in
Chicago,  Illinois  and is  scheduled  to open in the summer of 2000.  Three new
restaurants   under  the  newly  acquired  Haru  concept  are  currently   under
construction  in  Manhattan.  The  total  estimated  costs  to  construct  these
restaurants  is  $14,300,000,  of which  $7,500,000 is to be financed  under the
master lease facility  described  below. The remaining cost to develop these new
restaurant units is expected to be financed from operating cash flow.

Financing Activities

During the current four periods ended July 16, 2000,  the Company had borrowings
under the  revolving  line of credit  facility of $2,000,000  and  repayments of
long-term debt and obligations under capital leases of $1,026,000.

In December 1997, the Company  entered into a Credit  Agreement with First Union
National Bank consisting of a $12,000,000 term loan and a $15,000,000  revolving
line of credit.  Interest  under the Credit  Agreement  accrues at the Company's
option at either  prime  rate plus a margin up to 1.0% or at LIBOR plus a margin
up to 2.25%.  The  applicable  interest  rate margin  varies with the  Company's
leverage ratio (defined as EBITDA divided by funded indebtedness).  Principal of
the term loan is payable at a rate of  $250,000  per quarter  through  March 31,
2000;  $500,000 per quarter  beginning June 30,2000  through March 31, 2002; and
$750,000  per  quarter  beginning  June 30, 2002  through  March 31,  2004.  The
revolving line of credit is payable in 2004. The Credit Agreement  restricts the
company from making  dividend  payments and  purchases of the  Company's  common
equity and limits the amount of annual capital  expenditures.  Furthermore,  the
Credit  Agreement  also  requires  the  Company  to  achieve  certain  ratios of
operating cash flow to debt and other financial benchmarks.

As of July 16, 2000,  the Company had available  $9,000,000  under the revolving
line of credit facility. Management believes that the amount available under the
revolving  facility,  together  with  amounts  available  under the master lease
facility  described below as well as internally  generated funds from operations
provide sufficient cash resources for anticipated  capital  improvements as well
as construction of new restaurants.

In  September  1999,  the Company  entered  into a master  lease  pursuant to an
agreement  with its  principal  bank lender,  First Union  National Bank and two
other banks,  for the purpose of  financing  property  and  construction  of new
restaurants.  Under the agreement, a grantor trust purchases properties selected
by the Company,  finances all of the  construction  costs pursuant to a facility
which provides  $25,000,000 in available  financing and leases the properties to
the Company upon their  completion.  The initial term of the master lease is for
five years.  The  Company  accounts  for the leases as  operating  leases.  Upon
maturity,  if the  lease is not  renewed,  the  Company  retains  the  option to
purchase all of the properties  owned by the trust for a purchase price equal to
the outstanding  financing  including certain equity  contributions  made by the
lender.  The Company must also  maintain  compliance  with  financial  covenants
similar to its credit  facilities.  As of July 16,  2000,  $23,000,000  remained
available under this agreement.



<PAGE>




BENIHANA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS



FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Statements in this report  concerning the Company's  business  outlook or future
economic performance,  anticipated  profitability,  revenues,  expenses or other
financial items,  together with other statements that are not historical  facts,
are  "forward-looking   statements"  as  that  term  is  defined  under  Federal
Securities   Laws.   "Forward-looking   statements"   are   subject   to  risks,
uncertainties  and other  factors  which  could cause  actual  results to differ
materially from those stated in such statements.  Such risks,  uncertainties and
factors  include,  but are not  limited  to,  changes in  customers'  tastes and
preferences,  acceptance of the Company's  concepts in new  locations,  industry
cyclicality,  fluctuations  in  customer  demand,  the  seasonal  nature  of the
business,   fluctuations   on  commodities   costs,   the  ability  to  complete
construction of new units in a timely manner,  obtaining governmental permits on
a reasonably  timely basis,  and general economic  conditions,  as well as other
risks  detailed  in the  Company's  filings  with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on debt and
changes in commodity prices. A discussion of the Company's accounting policy for
derivative  financial  instruments  is included  in the  Summary of  Significant
Accounting  Policies  in the  notes  to the  consolidated  financial  statements
included in the Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10K filed with the  Securities
and Exchange Commission.

The  Company's  net  exposure to interest  rate risk  consists of floating  rate
borrowings  that are benchmarked to US and European  short-term  interest rates.
The Company may from time-to-time  utilize interest rate swaps to manage overall
borrowing costs and reduce  exposure to adverse  fluctuations in interest rates.
The Company does not use  derivative  instruments  for trading  purposes and the
Company  has a policy  to that  effect.  At July 16,  2000,  the  Company  had a
financial  derivative with a notional amount of $4,302,000 against floating rate
debt of $15,500,000.  A one percentage  point interest charge on the outstanding
balance of the variable rate debt as of July 16, 2000 would not be material.

The Company  purchases  certain  commodities such as beef,  chicken and seafood.
These  commodities are purchased based upon spot market prices  established with
vendors.  The Company  does not use  financial  instruments  to hedge  commodity
prices because cost aberrations have historically been short term in nature.


<PAGE>


BENIHANA INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART II - Other Information


Item 6.       Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

              (a) Exhibit 27 Financial Data Schedule

              (b)   Reports on Form 8-K  - None




<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES



Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                                                    Benihana Inc.
                                                    -------------------
                                                    (Registrant)




Date    August 22, 2000                            /s/ Joel A. Schwartz
      --------------------                         --------------------
                                                    Joel A. Schwartz
                                                    President




                                                   /s/ Michael R. Burris
                                                   ---------------------
                                                    Michael R. Burris
                                                    Chief Financial Officer


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