Meanwhile, the unitranche loan that closed this summer for Benihana was under 9%, they say.
Aoki, a former Olympic wrestler from Tokyo, was inseparable from the Benihana (No. 123) name.
Benihana, the restaurant chain that peaked around the time Jimmy Carter was President, is another Glass favorite.
Aoki used to fly around in a helium balloon shaped like a Benihana chef, and raced Benihana speedboats with bright red logos.
He sent a brief notice to the restaurants, as well as to investors, making it clear that Aoki's troubles had nothing to do with Benihana.
Benihana shares jumped 75 cents the day Aoki announced his resignation.
He has a song with Walken called "Timeless to Me" that's in a lilting, big band style and is the only number that isn't edited by a Benihana chef.
"I thought it was a sad, unfortunate event, but it had nothing to do with the company, " says Joel Schwartz, Benihana's president of 16 years, who had to fill Aoki's shoes.
Benihana first began seeking a buyer in 2010, when a feud erupted that pitted the children of founder Rocky Aoki against board directors in disagreements over how to help the nearly 100-unit chain survive the downturn.
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They also have two teppanyaki grill tables, unknown in other Nobus, and for each they offer a variety of set menus that include not just the traditional grilled meat or seafood and vegetables but also mix these with dishes prepared in the kitchen, for a teppanyaki spin that is more fine dining than Benihana.
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