Benihana Inc., the Miami-based chain of interactive Japanese restaurants that also owns the RA Sushi and Haru brands, has just announced a new corporate head.
Industry veteran Steve Schlemon was named the company's new president and chief executive officer by Benihana's board of directors. Shlemon, who succeeds Richard Stockinger, will be responsible for all 63 Benihana restaurants across the United States, as well as the company's RA Sushi and Haru locations.
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Schlemon moves into his new role after serving as president of Carrabba's Italian Grill for 13 years. Schlemon was also an executive vice president of Bloomin' Brands Inc., the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, and Carrabba's. Making his way up the restaurant-chain food chain, the executive began his career at Steak and Ale Corporation and was an executive at TGI Fridays Inc.
According to salary.com, the executive's 2012 total compensation at Bloomin' Brands was $1,658,290, with $500,000 in salary, a $423,938 bonus, $729,000 in stocks, and $5,352 in other types of compensation. This information was collected from proxy statements filed for the 2012 fiscal year.
By accepting the Benihana gig, Schlemon might triple his income. His predecessor's compensation package for 2011 was $4.2 million.
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