Benihana names 1 of its consultants as interim CFO as it looks for permanent replacement

Benihana names consultant as interim CFO

MIAMI — Restaurant operator Benihana Inc. said Wednesday that its board has appointed consultant Gene Baldwin of CRG Partners Group as its interim chief financial officer to replace Jose Ortega.

Ortega has resigned, effective immediately.

The company said Ortega agreed to serve in a consulting role for accounting matters for a 90-day transition period. It did not say why he resigned.

Benihana will begin seeking a permanent replacement.

Baldwin and CRG have been consultants to Benihana since November 2009. The company said Baldwin would remain as a partner of CRG during his stint as interim CFO.

Benihana, based in Miami, operates its namesake restaurant chain as well as the RA Sushi and Haru chains.