New York Area Children Winners Of Benihana Children's Day Contest, Contribute To $55,000 Donation To St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Local Manhasset 7th grade student Aria Lugo, New York West 4th grade student Jack Serra, and Westbury 4th grade student Danielle Sleiman have been selected for their artwork contribution to Benihana's 2012 Children Helping Children Coloring Contest, part of the Children's Day program which culminated May 8. With the help of Aria Lugo, Jack Serra, and Danielle Sleiman's efforts, Benihana raised more than $55,000 in support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, nearly doubling last year's donation.

Aria Lugo, Jack Serra, and Danielle Sleiman are three of several children who were selected for their unique vision on how children can help others. Throughout the month of April, children who visited any Benihana location nationwide were encouraged to participate in Children's Day by drawing a picture to signify what the theme of "Children Helping Children" means to them. For each entry form collected, Benihana donated $1 to St. Jude Children, one of the world's premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other deadly childhood diseases. Additionally, each restaurant selected a winning entry to receive dinner for eight people - a $250 value.

The coloring contest was part of Benihana's broader initiative to celebrate Japanese heritage while supporting St. Jude. Every year on May 5, Japan celebrates the happiness of the nation's children with a day of fun and games known as Children's Day.

The total collected funds from Children's Day Kids Meals on May 5 and the coloring contest entries were presented during a private party for the patients and families of St. Jude on May 8. As part of the celebration, guests were treated to a special evening and complimentary teppanyaki dinner prepared by top Benihana chefs.

For more information, visit www.benihana.com.

About Benihana
Headquartered in Miami, Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ GS: BNHN) is the nation's leading operator of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants with 95 restaurants nationwide, including 62 Benihana restaurants, eight Haru sushi restaurants and 25 RA Sushi restaurants. In addition, 16 franchised Benihana restaurants are operating in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. To learn more about Benihana Inc. and its three restaurant concepts, please view the corporate video at www.benihana.com/about/video.