Children Helping Children program to include local art contests throughout May

MIAMI, April 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ In Japan, Kodomo no Hi, or Children's Day, is celebrated in May to honor children's happiness. Bringing the celebration to the United States, Benihana will donate 100 percent of proceeds of all children's meals served on Tuesday, May 5 to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital(R), one of the world's premier pediatric cancer research centers.

The one-day benefit is part of the famed teppanyaki restaurant company's 'Children Helping Children' program. In addition, Benihana will host local art contests at 64 participating restaurants throughout the month of May to celebrate Kodomo no Hi.

Benihana's Children's Day art contest is open to students in kindergarten through sixth grade. All 64 participating Benihana restaurants will accept and judge submitted artwork. A grand prize winner and second prize winner will be selected at each restaurant. The grand prize winners will receive dinner for eight, and second prize winners will receive dinner for four. The winners also will have their art work displayed in their local Benihana restaurant.

'Children love Benihana and the captivating theater our entertaining chefs provide,' said Richard Stockinger, CEO of Benihana. 'Our 'Children Helping Children' program is designed to support a worthy cause while celebrating and encouraging the creativity of our future generation.'

Benihana's children's menu features tender steaks, juicy chicken and succulent shrimp all prepared and served by entertaining chefs before guests seated at teppanyaki tables. Each entree is served with a salad, hibachi vegetables and steamed rice.

For more information on Benihana's 'Children Helping Children' program or to find the Benihana restaurant nearest you, please visit http://www.benihana.com .

About Benihana

Benihana Inc. (Nasdaq: BNHN, BNHNA) operates 64 Benihana teppanyaki restaurants, nine Haru restaurants, and twenty-two RA Sushi restaurants. Under development at present are nine restaurants: four Benihana teppanyaki restaurants and five RA Sushi restaurants. In addition, twenty-one franchised Benihana teppanyaki restaurants are operating in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean.

SOURCE Benihana Inc.