Business & Money • Restaurant

Benihana

Benihana is a Japanese-themed restaurant chain best known for its teppanyaki dining experience, where chefs prepare food on a grill in front of guests.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Benihana is a Japanese-themed restaurant chain best known for its teppanyaki dining experience, where chefs prepare food on a grill in front of guests. The brand began in New York in 1964 and has grown into a large chain with locations in the United States and other parts of the Americas. As of 2024–2025, Benihana is owned by The ONE Group Hospitality after its acquisition of Benihana’s parent company.

History

Benihana’s roots trace to Japan, where Yunosuke Aoki opened a coffee shop in Tokyo in 1945. Hiroaki "Rocky" Aoki opened the first U.S. Benihana restaurant in New York City in 1964.

Dining concept

Benihana is best known for teppanyaki, in which chefs cook meals on a flat iron grill in front of diners. The performance element, including knife tricks and tableside cooking, is central to the brand’s identity.

Ownership and corporate structure

Benihana was based in South Florida for decades and operated as a restaurant group with both company-owned and franchised locations. In 2024, The ONE Group Hospitality acquired Benihana’s parent company.

Locations and reach

Benihana operates in the United States and in parts of the Caribbean and Central and South America. Public corporate information describes dozens of restaurants across these regions.

Key facts

Benihana is a Japanese-themed restaurant chain known for chef-led teppanyaki cooking performed at the table.
The brand traces its origins to a Tokyo coffee shop opened by Yunosuke Aoki in 1945, with the U.S. restaurant launched in 1964.
Benihana operates company-owned restaurants and franchises across the Americas.
The ONE Group Hospitality acquired Benihana’s parent company in 2024.

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Canadian context

Benihana is relevant to Canadian readers through its North American restaurant presence and its broader influence on teppanyaki-style dining, which is familiar to many Canadian diners who travel or compare restaurant chains across borders.

Frequently asked questions

What is Benihana?

Benihana is a Japanese-themed restaurant chain known for teppanyaki dining, where chefs cook food on a grill at the table for guests.

How much does Benihana cost?

Costs vary by location and order, but Benihana is generally a casual-dining, mid-priced restaurant rather than a fast-food chain. Specific menu prices are set by each location and can change.

Is Benihana Japanese?

Benihana serves Japanese-inspired teppanyaki cuisine and presents itself as a Japanese restaurant chain, but the brand was founded in the United States by Japanese American entrepreneur Hiroaki "Rocky" Aoki.

Who owns Benihana?

Benihana is owned by The ONE Group Hospitality, which acquired Benihana’s parent company in 2024.

What to wear to Benihana?

Benihana restaurants are typically casual dining venues, so neat casual or smart casual clothing is appropriate.

Does Benihana have a dress code?

Some locations list the dress code as smart casual, but dress policy can vary by restaurant. It is best to check the specific location before visiting.

References

Benihana — https://www.benihana.com/about/
Supports: Company description, cuisine style, U.S. chain presence, South Florida base, and restaurant count information.
Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benihana
Supports: Founding history, founder, ownership history, and acquisition by The ONE Group in 2024.
Benihana International — https://www.benihanainternational.com/our-history
Supports: Historical background tracing the brand’s origins to Yunosuke Aoki and the meaning of the Benihana name.
The ONE Group Hospitality — https://togrp.com/benihana/
Supports: Current ownership and post-acquisition brand description.
OpenTable — https://www.opentable.com/benihana-san-diego
Supports: Example location listing a smart casual dress code.