On October 19, 2009, the Company announced that it had hired Christopher P. Ames as Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Mr. Ames, age 46, a consultant to the restaurant industry, was Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cosi, Inc. from December 2006 to August 2008 and Executive Vice President of the Patina Group from October 2005 to December 2006. Prior thereto, Mr. Ames served as Vice President of Operations with Elephant Bar Restaurant in Los Angeles, California from June 2004 to August 2005 and Vice President of Operations with California Pizza Kitchen from January 1992 to March 2004. Since July 2009, Mr. Ames has provided consulting services to the Company, for which the Company paid him fees totaling approximately $62,500. The Company will employ Mr. Ames on an "at will" basis at an annual base salary of $250,000. In addition, Mr. Ames will be eligible to participate in the benefits programs which the Company generally makes available to its senior executives.

Juan C. Garcia will continue on a full-time basis as the Company's President and Chief Administrative Officer.

(d) Exhibits:

Exhibit
Number    Exhibit
 99.1     Press Release of Benihana Inc. dated October 19, 2009