Benihana has been successfully operating Asian restaurants for more than forty years. In an effort to boost earnings, Benihana asked WD Partners to revitalize their teppanyaki restaurant. Objectives included improving the dining experience, making the unit operationally efficient, and more cost-effective to build.

While the engineers evaluated Benihana’s operations, designers created a distinctively Benihana-branded restaurant. Colorful backdrops act as stages for the chefs’ theatrical teppanyaki cooking techniques. Dramatic spaces with open ceilings, bold reds, a wonderful range of organic textures, and graphics create dining an enjoyable experience. In a big change for the new prototype, guests can order teppanyaki anywhere in the restaurant. Allowing guests more seating choices will likely increase the frequency of visits. In addition, the facility was engineered for efficiency and productivity. This included improved food preparation procedures, elimination of a dedicated cashier, and redesigning the teppanyaki food cart preparation and centralized server area.

results
The building footprint was reduced by approximately 20%, which in turn reduced the capital investment. Elements of the new design will be retrofit into Benihana’s existing locations, and all new construction will use the new prototype. Sales at renovated restaurants were up 30% after opening, and Benihana reported that the entire program exceeded their expectations.