Benihana Celebrates Children's Day

MIAMI, April 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ: BNHN), the nation's leading operator of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, has officially kicked off the annual Children Helping Children coloring contest as part of its Children's Day program. Throughout the month, children visiting any Benihana location nation-wide are encouraged to participate by drawing a picture to signify what the theme of "Children Helping Children" means to them. For each entry form collected, Benihana will donate $1 to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®, one of the world's premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other deadly childhood diseases. In addition, one winning entry will be selected from each restaurant to receive dinner for 8 people – a $250 value.

The coloring contest is part of Benihana's broader initiative to celebrate Japanese heritage while supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Every year on May 5th, Japan celebrates the happiness of the nation's children with a day of fun and games, known as Children's Day. This holiday will be brought to life at Benihana with children receiving specially prepared dessert "sushi" treats and all sales of Benihana Kids Meals sold in domestic locations being donated to St. Jude's.

The total collected funds from Children's Day Kids Meals on May 5th and the coloring contest entries will be announced and presented during a private party for the patients and families of St. Jude's on May 8th. As part of the celebration, guests will be treated to a special evening and complimentary teppanyaki dinner prepared by top Benihana chefs. 

The Benihana Children Helping Children coloring contest is open to children 12 and under through May 6th. Interested participants can submit an entry in their local restaurant or online by visiting www.benihana.com.

About Benihana

Headquartered in Miami, Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ GS: BNHN) is the nation's leading operator of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants with 96 restaurants nationwide, including 63 Benihana restaurants, eight Haru sushi restaurants, and 25 RA Sushi restaurants. In addition, 16 franchised Benihana restaurants are operating in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. To learn more about Benihana Inc. and its three restaurant concepts, please view the corporate video at www.benihana.com/about/video.  

SOURCE Benihana Inc.