Boston-based Legal Sea Foods has been acquired by PPX Hospitality Brands, parent company of Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group and The Strega Group. In addition to more than 25 restaurants, the deal—effective immediately—includes Legal’s Quality Control Center (QCC), a state-of-the-art fish processing plant and food safety laboratory in Boston’s Seaport.  

PPX, also based in Boston, will own and operate all restaurant concepts under the Legal Sea Foods banner, including airport locations., Legal’s president/CEO Roger Berkowitz will retain ownership rights of the Legal Sea Foods name in channels outside of restaurant operations including e-commerce and retail. 

Legal Sea Foods was founded 70 years ago as a fish market opened by George Berkowitz in Cambridge, MA. The Berkowitz family opened its first seafood restaurant next to the fish market in 1968; Roger Berkowitz (George’s son) had been running the company since 1992. The restaurants, which serve over 40 varieties of fresh fish and shellfish, are known for high-quality seafood and classic New England fare.