New York City, New York, U.S. Hiroaki Aoki (青木 廣彰, Aoki Hiroaki, October 9, 1938 – July 10, 2008), best known as Rocky Aoki, was a Japanese-American amateur wrestler and restaurateur who founded the popular Japanese cuisine restaurant chain Benihana.

What happened to the owner of Benihana?

Rocky Aoki, who founded the theatrical Benihana chain of steakhouses, where Japanese chefs with flashing knives double as performers, died Thursday night in Manhattan. He was 69. The cause was pneumonia, said Nancy Bauer, a spokeswoman for the family.

Did Steve Aoki’s dad go to jail?

Restaurateur admits insider trading; Benihana chain’s founder faces 12-18 months in jail. NEW YORK — NEW YORK — Rocky Aoki, founder of the Benihana Japanese restaurant chain, pleaded guilty yesterday to profiting from a tip that Spectrum Information Technologies Inc.

Who is Benihana’s son?

Steve Aoki, the son of Benihana’s founder, Rocky Aoki, has found his own voice and fortune in becoming the superstar DJ he is today.

Who inherited Rocky Aoki?

In 2014, Aoki’s heirs eventually regained legal control of their father’s estate, but Ono, as a trustee, still retained significant control over their 50 million dollar inheritance.

Did the owner of Benihana go to jail?

Rocky Aoki, founder of the Benihana Japanese restaurant chain, was sentenced to three years of probation and fined $500,000 for illegally profiting from a 1993 tip that Spectrum Information Technologies Inc. was about to hire former Apple Computer Inc. chief John Sculley.

Where is Steve Aoki’s family from?

Aoki was born in Miami, Florida, but grew up in Newport Beach, California. He graduated from Newport Harbor High School in 1995, where he was a player on the varsity badminton team. He is of Japanese descent, the third child of Rocky Aoki and Chizuru Kobayashi.

Who are the heirs to Benihana?

Benihana heirs Steve and Devon Aoki want stepmom booted from $50M family trust.

What happened to Benny Hanna?

Benihana agreed in 2012 to be purchased by the private equity firm of Angelo Gordon & Company for $296 million.

Why is it called Benihana?

A red safflower found in the neighbourhood streets gave the Aoki’s the inspiration for the restaurant’s name; ‘Benihana – or ‘red flower’ in Japanese. The family’s four sons grew up with the coffee shop, which later became a full-service restaurant.