<html>
<head>
    <title>Unassociated Document</title>
    <!--Licensed to: VF-->
    <!--Document Created using EDGARizerAgent 5.3.1.0-->
    <!--Copyright 1995 - 2009 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.-->
</head>
<body bgcolor="#ffffff" style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">UNITED STATES</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">FORM 8-K</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">CURRENT REPORT</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):&#160;&#160;<font style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;January 3, 2012&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></font><br>
</div>

<div align="center">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">BENIHANA INC. </font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">
<hr style="COLOR: black" align="center" noshade size="1" width="40%">
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>
</div>

<div align="center">&#160;</div>

<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="32%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Delaware</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="2%" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.5pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td valign="top" width="32%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;&#160;0-26396</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="2%" style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0.5pt">&#160;</td>
<td valign="top" width="32%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;65-0538630</font></font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="32%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(State or other jurisdiction</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td valign="top" width="32%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;&#160;(Commission</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="2%">&#160;</td>
<td valign="top" width="32%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(I.R.S. Employer</font></font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="32%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">of incorporation)</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
<td valign="top" width="32%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;File Number)</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="2%">&#160;</td>
<td valign="top" width="32%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;Identification No.)</font></font></div>
</td>
</tr></table>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="46%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">8685 Northwest 53rd Terrace, Miami, Florida</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;&#160;33166</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="46%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(Address of principal executive offices)</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="34%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;&#160;(Zip Code)</font></div>
</td>
</tr></table>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Registrant's telephone number, including area code:&#160;&#160;&#160;<font style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">(305) 593-0770</font></font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;&#160;</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">None</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">
<div>
<hr style="COLOR: black" align="center" noshade size="1" width="40%">
</div>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Former name or former address, if changed since last report</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2.):</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline;" face="Wingdings">o</font>&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div id="PGBRK" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div id="FTR">
<div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 8pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>

<div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always; WIDTH: 100%">
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 8pt">&#160; </font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">
<hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
</div>
</div>

<div id="HDR">
<div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 8pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Item 7.01&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Regulation FD Disclosure</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">On January 3, 2012, Benihana Inc. (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors has authorized and declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.08 per share of the Company&#8217;s common stock. The dividend is payable in cash on January 30, 2012 to stockholders of record at the close of business on January 13, 2012. The Company&#8217;s press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Item&#160;9.01&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Financial Statements and Exhibits</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(d)&#160;&#160;Exhibits:</font></div>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block">&#160; </div>

<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="8%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline">Exhibit Number</font></font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="67%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline">Exhibit</font></font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="8%" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">99.1</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="2%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="67%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Press Release of Benihana Inc. dated January 3, 2012</font></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr></table>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
&#160;</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">SIGNATURES</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 40pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="25%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="17%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="31%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">BENIHANA INC.</font></div>
</td>
</tr></table>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="25%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Dated: January 3, 2012</font></div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="17%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="31%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">By:&#160;&#160;/s/ J. David Flanery</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="25%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="17%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="31%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">J. David Flanery</font></div>
</td>
</tr><tr>
<td valign="top" width="25%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="17%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160; </font></td>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="31%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Chief Financial Officer</font></div>
</td>
</tr></table>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block"><br>
</div>

<div id="PGBRK" style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<div id="FTR">
<div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 8pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>

<div id="PN">
<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 8pt">&#160; </font></div>

<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; WIDTH: 100%">
<hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
</div>
</div>

<div id="HDR">
<div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 8pt">&#160; </font></div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "v244523_8k.htm", "description": "FORM 8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 21458}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "BENIHANA INC", "cik": "0000935226", "assigned-sic": "5812", "irs-number": "650538630", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0330"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-26396", "film-number": "12502766"}, "business-address": {"street1": "8685 NW 53RD TERRACE", "city": "MIAMI", "state": "FL", "zip": "33166", "phone": "3055930770"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "8685 NW 53RD TERRACE", "city": "MIAMI", "state": "FL", "zip": "33166"}}
Unassociated Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):
January 3, 2012
BENIHANA INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
0-26396
65-0538630
(State or other jurisdiction
(Commission
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)
File Number)
Identification No.)
8685 Northwest 53rd Terrace, Miami, Florida
33166
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(305) 593-0770
None
Former name or former address, if changed since last report
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2.):
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 7.01     Regulation FD Disclosure
On January 3, 2012, Benihana Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors has authorized and declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.08 per share of the Company's common stock. The dividend is payable in cash on January 30, 2012 to stockholders of record at the close of business on January 13, 2012. The Company's press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 9.01     Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d)  Exhibits:
Exhibit Number
Exhibit
99.1
Press Release of Benihana Inc. dated January 3, 2012
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
BENIHANA INC.
Dated: January 3, 2012
By:  /s/ J. David Flanery
J. David Flanery
Chief Financial Officer