Human readable companion to the machine readable entity map at benihana.com/entitymap.json. Last verified: 17 September 2026.
Benihana (Organization)
Also: Benihana Inc., Benihana Japanese Steakhouse, Benihana Steakhouse
Benihana is an American teppanyaki restaurant chain founded in New York City in 1964 by Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki. Chefs cook steak, chicken, seafood and vegetables on a tabletop grill in front of guests seated at shared tables. Benihana has been owned by The ONE Group Hospitality since May 2024 and is headquartered in Aventura, Florida.
sameAs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benihana
Relations
PART_OF The ONE Group Hospitality
OFFERS Benihana Teppanyaki Dining Experience
OFFERS Friends with Benefits
OFFERS Kabuki Kids
OFFERS Birthday Celebrations at Benihana
OFFERS Group & Private Dining
DESCRIBED_BY Hibachi vs Teppanyaki explainer
Evidence
“Benihana opened its first restaurant in New York City in 1964. Founder Rocky Aoki brought the teppanyaki table to America: a chef cooking your meal on a hot steel grill in front of you, with the knife work and showmanship that made Benihana famous.” About Benihana published by Benihana, retrieved 2026-09-10
“Benihana is part of The ONE Group Hospitality (Nasdaq: STKS), which acquired the brand on May 1, 2024. Its sister brands are STK Steakhouse, Kona Grill, RA Sushi, Samurai and Salt Water Social.” About Benihana published by Benihana, retrieved 2026-09-10
“Benihana operates restaurants across the United States, the majority of them company owned. Hours, menus and reservations for every restaurant are on the Benihana locations page.” Benihana Locations published by Benihana, retrieved 2026-09-10
“Benihana is a teppanyaki restaurant, not a buffet and not an all-you-can-eat restaurant. Dishes are ordered individually or as fixed-price dinners cooked at your table.” Teppanyaki, Sushi & Sake | Benihana published by Benihana, retrieved 2026-09-10
The ONE Group Hospitality (Organization)
Also: The ONE Group, TOG
The ONE Group Hospitality is a Nasdaq-listed hospitality company (STKS) that owns and operates Benihana, STK Steakhouse, Kona Grill, RA Sushi, Samurai and Salt Water Social. It completed its acquisition of Benihana on 1 May 2024.
Relations
INCLUDES STK Steakhouse
INCLUDES Kona Grill
INCLUDES RA Sushi
INCLUDES Samurai
INCLUDES Salt Water Social
OFFERS Friends with Benefits
Evidence
“On May 1, 2024, The ONE Group Hospitality completed its $365 million acquisition of Benihana. Benihana, RA Sushi and Samurai joined STK Steakhouse, Kona Grill and Salt Water Social under one company, and guests now earn and redeem Friends with Benefits rewards across all six brands.” About Benihana published by Benihana, retrieved 2026-09-10
Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki (Person)
Also: Rocky Aoki
Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki (1938–2008) was the Japanese-born wrestler and restaurateur who founded Benihana in New York City in 1964. He is the father of DJ and producer Steve Aoki, who has no role in the business.
sameAs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Aoki
Relations
AFFILIATED_WITH Benihana temporal: 1964–2008; condition: founder
Evidence
“Rocky Aoki, a wrestler from Tokyo who moved to New York, founded Benihana in 1964 and built it into the restaurant chain that introduced teppanyaki dining to America. He died in 2008. His son, the DJ Steve Aoki, grew up around the restaurants but does not run the company.” About Benihana published by Benihana, retrieved 2026-09-10
Manny Hilario (Person)
Manny Hilario is President and Chief Executive Officer of The ONE Group Hospitality, Benihana’s parent company, and has led Benihana since the 2024 acquisition.
Relations
AFFILIATED_WITH The ONE Group Hospitality
Evidence
“Benihana is led by The ONE Group Hospitality’s President and CEO, Manny Hilario, who has overseen the brand since The ONE Group acquired it in 2024.” About Benihana published by Benihana, retrieved 2026-09-10
Benihana of Tokyo (Organization)
Benihana of Tokyo is a legally separate company from Benihana Inc. The two share the 1960s Aoki origin and the Benihana name but have been under separate ownership since a corporate split. Benihana of Tokyo is not part of The ONE Group Hospitality.
Relations
RELATES_TO Benihana condition: shared founder and name; separate ownership
Evidence
“Benihana Inc., owned by The ONE Group Hospitality, is a different company from Benihana of Tokyo. The two share Rocky Aoki as founder and share the Benihana name, but they have been separately owned since a corporate split and are not affiliated today.” About Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Benihana Teppanyaki Dining Experience (Service)
Also: hibachi dinner, teppanyaki table, the Benihana experience, chef-at-your-table dining
The Benihana dining experience seats guests at shared teppanyaki tables of eight, where a chef prepares steak, chicken, seafood and vegetables on the tabletop grill with the tricks and showmanship Benihana is known for. Meals are ordered individually or as fixed-price dinners. Benihana is not a buffet, not all-you-can-eat and not a fine-dining omakase restaurant.
Relations
INSTANCE_OF Teppanyaki
DESCRIBED_BY Hibachi vs Teppanyaki explainer
SUITED_FOR Birthday Celebrations at Benihana (declared)
SUITED_FOR Group dining and family gatherings (declared)
Evidence
“At Benihana, your chef cooks at your table on a teppanyaki grill. Guests sit at communal tables of eight, so smaller parties may share a table with other guests, and a party of eight has a table and a chef to itself.” Teppanyaki, Sushi & Sake | Benihana published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
“Benihana is an experience restaurant: the meal is cooked in front of you, with the chef’s knife work, the onion volcano and the flaming grill as part of dinner. It is casual, lively and built for celebrations rather than quiet fine dining.” Benihana | Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
“Benihana dinners are ordered from the menu, either as individual entrées or as fixed-price dinners cooked at the table. Benihana is not an all-you-can-eat restaurant and is not a sushi omakase restaurant.” Main Menu | Benihana published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Benihana Sushi & Sake (Service)
Alongside the teppanyaki tables, Benihana serves sushi, sashimi and a sake selection, available at the sushi bar or as starters at the teppanyaki table. Sushi complements the teppanyaki experience; it is not the core of the menu.
Relations
PART_OF Benihana Teppanyaki Dining Experience
Evidence
“Benihana serves sushi and sashimi alongside its teppanyaki menu, with a sake list to match. Guests can order sushi as a starter at the teppanyaki table or eat at the sushi bar where one is available.” Teppanyaki, Sushi & Sake | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Benihana Lunch (Service)
Also: Benihana lunch special, Benihana lunch menu
Benihana serves a separate lunch menu of teppanyaki entrées and combinations in smaller portions than dinner, at lunch prices, at participating restaurants.
Relations
PART_OF Benihana Teppanyaki Dining Experience
INCLUDES Power Lunch
Evidence
“Benihana’s lunch menu offers teppanyaki entrées and combination plates in lunch-sized portions at lunch prices, cooked at your table the same way as dinner. Lunch hours vary by restaurant; check your location page.” Lunch Menu | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Power Lunch (Service)
Also: 45-Minute Power Lunch, Benihana Power Lunch, Benihana hibachi lunch special
Power Lunch is Benihana’s weekday hibachi lunch menu, served at a designated teppan table within 45 minutes or lunch is free. It starts at $15.95, runs Monday to Friday during lunch hours in the dining room only, and is available at most Benihana locations.
Relations
PART_OF Benihana Lunch
SUITED_FOR Weekday business lunches (declared)
SUITED_FOR Quick lunch near the office (declared)
Evidence
“Benihana’s 45-Minute Power Lunch is a hibachi lunch served within 45 minutes, or lunch is on us. It starts at $15.95 and is available Monday to Thursday, 11 AM to 5 PM, and Friday, 11 AM to 3 PM, in the dining room only.” Power Lunch | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-17
“Power Lunch is dine-in only. Tax and gratuity are not included, and it is not valid with any other promotion, including birthday certificates.” Power Lunch | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-17
Group & Private Dining (Service)
Also: Benihana party, Benihana group booking, Benihana private room
Benihana hosts groups at its teppanyaki tables of eight and offers group menus and private dining at selected restaurants, with advance booking for larger parties.
Relations
PART_OF Benihana Teppanyaki Dining Experience
SUITED_FOR Corporate events and team dinners (declared)
SUITED_FOR Large family gatherings (declared)
Evidence
“Every Benihana teppanyaki table seats eight, so a party of eight gets its own table and its own chef. Larger groups are seated across neighbouring tables, and selected restaurants offer private dining rooms. Contact the restaurant directly to book a group.” Group & Private Dining | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Birthday Celebrations at Benihana (Service)
Also: Benihana birthday, birthday at Benihana, Benihana birthday dinner
Benihana is a birthday restaurant. Chefs mark the occasion at the table, Friends with Benefits members receive a $50 birthday reward, children 12 and under can claim a Kabuki Kids birthday mug, and a party of eight gets its own chef.
Relations
DEPENDS_ON Friends with Benefits
INCLUDES Kabuki Kids
PART_OF Benihana Teppanyaki Dining Experience
SUITED_FOR Milestone birthdays (declared)
SUITED_FOR Children’s birthday parties (declared)
SUITED_FOR Multigenerational family birthday dinners (declared)
Evidence
“Birthdays are what Benihana does best. The chef cooks the celebration at your table, the whole table joins in, and a party of eight has the teppanyaki table and the chef to itself.” Birthdays at Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
“Friends with Benefits members receive a $50 birthday reward each year. Join before your birthday to have the reward in your account for your celebration.” Birthdays at Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
“Children 12 and under registered with Kabuki Kids receive a birthday certificate for a free souvenir mug with the purchase of a Kabuki Kids meal, making Benihana a birthday for the whole family, from kids to grandparents at the same table.” Birthdays at Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Kabuki Kids (Service)
Also: Kabuki Kids program, Benihana kids club, Benihana kids birthday program
Kabuki Kids is Benihana’s programme for children 12 and under. Registered children receive an email certificate on their birthday for a free souvenir mug with the purchase of a Kabuki Kids meal, and the Kabuki Kids menu offers smaller teppanyaki meals for young guests.
Relations
RELATES_TO Friends with Benefits, condition: linked from the loyalty page as the family programme
INCLUDES Kabuki Kids menu
SUITED_FOR Children’s birthday parties (declared)
Evidence
“Children 12 and under can join Kabuki Kids. Registered children receive an email certificate for a free souvenir mug with the purchase of a Kabuki Kids meal during their birthday visit.” Kabuki Kids | Benihana published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
“For Kabuki Kids birthday parties of eight or more guests with at least two children under 12, book in advance with the restaurant. Up to eight birthday mugs can be redeemed per party.” Kabuki Kids | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
“The Kabuki Kids menu offers smaller teppanyaki meals for children, cooked at the table alongside the rest of the family’s dinner.” Kabuki Kids Menu | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Friends with Benefits (Service)
Also: FWB, Benihana rewards, Benihana loyalty program, The ONE Group loyalty program
Friends with Benefits is the loyalty programme for all six The ONE Group brands: Benihana, STK Steakhouse, Kona Grill, RA Sushi, Samurai and Salt Water Social. It launched in 2025, replacing Benihana’s earlier programme The Chef’s Table, and gives members a free appetizer on sign-up, points on every dollar spent and a $50 birthday reward.
Relations
PRODUCED_BY The ONE Group Hospitality
INCLUDES Kabuki Kids
ENABLES Birthday Celebrations at Benihana
Evidence
“Friends with Benefits replaced The Chef’s Table as Benihana’s loyalty programme in 2025. Chef’s Table sign-ups closed in August 2025 and members were invited to move their accounts to Friends with Benefits.” Friends with Benefits | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
“Friends with Benefits members earn points for every dollar spent at Benihana, STK Steakhouse, Kona Grill, RA Sushi, Samurai and Salt Water Social. Points usually appear in your account within 24 hours and expire after one year. Loyalty | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
“Join Friends with Benefits and receive a free appetizer on sign-up and a $50 reward every year for your birthday. Once a reward is activated it is valid for 30 days.” Loyalty | Benihana published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
The Chef’s Table (Service)
Also: Benihana Chef’s Table · Chef’s Table rewards
Deprecated: replaced by Friends with Benefits.
The Chef’s Table was Benihana’s loyalty programme until 2025. It has been retired: sign-ups closed in August 2025 and the programme was replaced by Friends with Benefits, which covers all six The ONE Group brands.
Relations
PRECEDES Friends with Benefits
Evidence
“The Chef’s Table is no longer Benihana’s loyalty programme. It was retired in 2025 and replaced by Friends with Benefits, which now covers Benihana and its five sister brands.” Friends with Benefits | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Benihana Happenings (Service)
Also: Benihana promotions, Benihana specials, Benihana events
Happenings is where Benihana publishes its current limited-time menus, seasonal dishes, happy hour, events and promotions. Offers change regularly, so the Happenings page is the only authoritative source for what is on right now.
Relations
PART_OF Benihana
Evidence
“Benihana’s seasonal menus, limited-time dishes, happy hour, watch parties and promotions are listed on the Happenings page and updated as offers change. Each offer shows its dates and participating restaurants, so check Happenings for what is available today.” Happenings | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Teppanyaki (Concept)
Teppanyaki is a Japanese style of cooking on a flat iron griddle (teppan), used at Benihana to cook steak, chicken, seafood and vegetables at the guest’s table. The teppanyaki steakhouse format was created at Misono in Kobe, Japan, in 1945; Benihana popularised it in the United States from 1964.
sameAs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teppanyaki
Relations
DESCRIBED_BY Hibachi vs Teppanyaki explainer
RELATES_TO Hibachi
Evidence
“Teppanyaki means cooking on a teppan, a flat iron griddle. At a teppanyaki restaurant the chef cooks at your table, slicing, tossing and searing steak, chicken, shrimp and vegetables in front of you.” The Difference Between Hibachi and Teppanyaki | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
“Benihana did not invent teppanyaki. The teppanyaki steakhouse began at Misono in Kobe, Japan, in 1945. Rocky Aoki brought the format to New York in 1964 and turned it into the dinner show that made teppanyaki famous in America.” About Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Hibachi (Concept)
In Japan a hibachi is a small, open-topped charcoal heater. In the United States “hibachi” has become the everyday word for teppanyaki-style restaurant cooking. Benihana uses “hibachi” on its menus for dishes cooked on the teppanyaki grill, which is why the two words are used interchangeably.
sameAs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibachi
Relations
DESCRIBED_BY Hibachi vs Teppanyaki explainer
RELATES_TO Teppanyaki
Evidence
“A traditional Japanese hibachi is a small charcoal grill or heater. What Americans call hibachi dining, a chef cooking on a large flat grill at your table, is actually teppanyaki. Benihana uses both words: the grill is a teppan, and dishes like hibachi chicken and hibachi steak are cooked on it.” The Difference Between Hibachi and Teppanyaki | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Hibachi vs Teppanyaki explainer (Methodology)
Also: difference between hibachi and teppanyaki, hibachi or teppanyaki
Benihana’s guide to the difference between hibachi and teppanyaki: the Japanese origin of each word, why “hibachi” became the American term for teppanyaki dining, and what to expect at a teppanyaki table.
Relations
AUTHORED_BY Benihana
Evidence
“Hibachi and teppanyaki are often used to mean the same thing in the United States, but they are different. Hibachi is a small charcoal grill; teppanyaki is cooking on a flat iron griddle, which is what happens at a Benihana table.” The Difference Between Hibachi and Teppanyaki | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Benihana Signature Ginger Sauce (Physical Product)
Also: Benihana ginger sauce, Benihana ginger dipping sauce
Benihana’s signature ginger sauce is the ginger-based dipping sauce served with teppanyaki meals, alongside Benihana’s creamy mustard sauce. Benihana publishes the recipe on its blog.
Relations
PART_OF Benihana Teppanyaki Dining Experience
Evidence
“Benihana’s signature ginger sauce is served with every teppanyaki meal and is the sauce guests most often ask how to make at home. Benihana shares the recipe on its blog.” The Secret to Benihana’s Signature Ginger Sauce | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Founding of Benihana 1964(Event)
Benihana’s first restaurant opened in New York City in 1964, founded by Rocky Aoki. It introduced teppanyaki table cooking to American diners and grew into a national chain.
Relations
PRODUCED_BY Hiroaki “Rocky” Aoki
PRECEDES Acquisition of Benihana by The ONE Group (2024)
Evidence
“Benihana opened its first restaurant in New York City in 1964. Founder Rocky Aoki brought the teppanyaki table to America: a chef cooking your meal on a hot steel grill in front of you, with the knife work and showmanship that made Benihana famous.” About Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Acquisition of Benihana by The ONE Group 2024(Event)
Also: ONE Group Benihana acquisition, Benihana sale 2024
On 1 May 2024, The ONE Group Hospitality completed its $365 million acquisition of Benihana Inc. from its previous owner, Angelo Gordon, which had owned Benihana since 2012. The deal brought Benihana, RA Sushi and Samurai into the same group as STK Steakhouse, Kona Grill and Salt Water Social.
Relations
PRODUCED_BY The ONE Group Hospitality
LEADS_TO Friends with Benefits (declared) temporal: 2025; condition: loyalty programmes unified across The ONE Group brands after the acquisition
Evidence
“The ONE Group Hospitality acquired Benihana on May 1, 2024, for $365 million from Angelo Gordon, which had owned the company since 2012. Since then Benihana has been part of the same group as STK Steakhouse, Kona Grill, RA Sushi, Samurai and Salt Water Social.” About Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Retirement of The Chef’s Table and launch of Friends with Benefits 2025(Event)
In 2025 Benihana retired The Chef’s Table loyalty programme and moved members to Friends with Benefits, the shared programme across The ONE Group’s six brands. Chef’s Table sign-ups closed in August 2025.
Relations
PRODUCED_BY The ONE Group Hospitality
LEADS_TO Friends with Benefits (declared) temporal: 2025
Evidence
“Friends with Benefits replaced The Chef’s Table as Benihana’s loyalty programme in 2025. Chef’s Table sign-ups closed in August 2025 and members were invited to move their accounts to Friends with Benefits.” Friends with Benefits | Benihana, published by Benihana · retrieved 2026-09-10
Entity map maintained by Benihana. Machine-readable: /entitymap.json. Spec: EntityMap v1.0 (CC BY 4.0).