Benihana names new presidentBenihana names new president

MIAMI Benihana Inc. has named Juan C. Garcia as president of the Japanese-restaurant operator and franchisor, effective April 2. He would succeed Joel A. Schwartz, who remains chairman and chief executive.

Garcia currently serves as senior vice president and chief operating officer, a position to which he rose after starting with the company in 1982 as an accountant.

Benihana, based here, operates 59 Benihana teppanyaki restaurants, seven high-end Haru sushi restaurants and 13 RA Sushi Bars, with 14 more outlets under development. It also franchises 17 Benihana restaurants in the U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America.