JOINT FILING AND SOLICITATION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 99.1
WHEREAS, certain of the undersigned are stockholders, direct or beneficial, of Benihana, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the “Company”);
WHEREAS, Benihana of Tokyo, Inc. (“BOT”), RHA Testamentary Trust (the “Trust”), Xxxxx Xxx Aoki, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx wish to form a group for the purpose of seeking representation on the Board of Directors of the Company at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company to be held on January 10, 2012, or any other meeting of stockholders held in lieu thereof, and any adjournments, postponements, reschedulings or continuations thereof (the “Annual Meeting”) and for the purpose of taking all other action necessary to achieve the foregoing.
NOW, IT IS AGREED, this 23rd day of November 2011 by the parties hereto:
1. In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), each of the undersigned (collectively, the “Group”) agrees to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of statements on Schedule 13D, and any amendments thereto, with respect to the securities of the Company. Each member of the Group shall be responsible for the accuracy and completeness of his/her/its own disclosure therein, and is not responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information concerning the other members, unless such member knows or has reason to know that such information is inaccurate. BOT or its representative shall provide each member of the Group with copies of all Schedule 13D filings and other public filings to be filed on behalf of such member at least 24 hours prior to the filing or submission thereof.
2. So long as this agreement is in effect, each of the undersigned shall provide written notice to Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Frome Xxxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP (“Xxxxxx”) of (i) any of their purchases or sales of securities of the Company; or (ii) any securities of the Company over which they acquire or dispose of beneficial ownership. Notice shall be given no later than 24 hours after each such transaction.
3. Each of the undersigned agrees to form the Group for the purpose of (i) soliciting proxies or written consents for the election of the persons nominated by BOT to the Board of Directors of the Company at the Annual Meeting, (ii) taking such other actions as the parties deem advisable, and (iii) taking all other action necessary or advisable to achieve the foregoing.
4. BOT shall have the right to pre-approve all expenses incurred in connection with the Group’s activities set forth in Section 3 and agrees to pay directly all such pre-approved expenses.
5. Each of the undersigned agrees that any SEC filing, press release or stockholder communication proposed to be made or issued by the Group or any member of the Group in connection with the Group’s activities set forth in Section 3 shall be first approved by BOT, or its representatives, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
6. The relationship of the parties hereto shall be limited to carrying on the business of the Group in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Such relationship shall be construed and deemed to be for the sole and limited purpose of carrying on such business as described herein. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize any party to act as an agent for any other party, or to create a joint venture or partnership, or to constitute an indemnification. Nothing herein shall restrict any party’s right to purchase or sell securities of the Company, as he/it deems appropriate, in his/her/its sole discretion, provided that all such sales are made in compliance with all applicable securities laws.
7. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same instrument, which may be sufficiently evidenced by one counterpart.
8. In the event of any dispute arising out of the provisions of this Agreement or their investment in the Company, the parties hereto consent and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal and State Courts in the State of New York.
9. Any party hereto may terminate his/her/its obligations under this Agreement on 24 hours’ written notice to all other parties, with a copy by fax to Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx at Xxxxxx, Fax No. (000) 000-0000.
10. Each party acknowledges that Xxxxxx shall act as counsel for both the Group and BOT and its affiliates relating to their investment in the Company.
11. Each of the undersigned parties hereby agrees that this Agreement shall be filed as an exhibit to a Schedule 13D pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Exchange Act.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
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RHA TESTAMENTARY TRUST
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By:
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/s/ Xxxxx Xxx Aoki
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Name:
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Xxxxx Xxx Aoki
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Title:
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Sole Trustee
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BENIHANA OF TOKYO, INC.
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By:
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/s/ Xxxxx Xxx Aoki
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Name:
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Xxxxx Xxx Aoki
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Title:
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President and Chief Executive Officer
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/s/ Xxxxx Xxx Aoki
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XXXXX XXX AOKI
Individually and as Attorney-in-Fact for Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
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