Fourth-quarter net income totaled $3.7 million, up 27.2% from $2.9 million in the same period a year ago. For the full fiscal 2002, however, net totaled $8.8 million or $1.28 per diluted share versus $9.1 million or $1.38 per diluted share in 2001.

In a prepared statement, Benihana president Joel A. Schwartz attributes the decrease to a 10.7% increase in labor and related expenses "largely due to new restaurant units and to management's decision following the tragic events on Sept. 11 to maintain Benihana standards of quality service by retaining employees."

Gross profit margins improved to 74.9% in fiscal 2002 compared with 73.3% in fiscal 2001. But full-year restaurant operating profit totaled $27.6 million, down from $29.1 million in the previous year.