Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.-based Legal Sea Foods has entered formal talks with hospitality company PPX Hospitality Brands, but has not disclosed what exactly is being discussed.
Earlier this year, Irish investment firm Danu Partners launched the new PPX Hospitality Brands in Medford, Massachusetts, to manage the restaurant chains Smith & Wollensky and The Strega Group, a collection of Italian chophouses.
Legal President and CEO Roger Berkowitz declined to reveal details of the partnership talks, but told SeafoodSource, “We can confirm that PPX Hospitality Brands and Legal Sea Foods are in discussions to create an exciting new venture and will issue a full update at the appropriate time.”
Legal has struggled financially since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The operator of 33 restaurants has permanently closed two of its locations, and several others remain closed to comply with dining restrictions put in place in the states in which they operate.
Additionally, Legal sued its insurance company over its failure to cover business losses the seafood chain incurred from the pandemic.
However, the company recently reopened its airport location at Logan International Airport in Boston, and said it expects to reopen its restaurant in Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., later in November.
Due to the downturn in restaurant traffic, Legal has also been focusing on retail and e-commerce opportunities since the start of the pandemic, Berkowitz told SeafoodSource.
Photo courtesy of Legal Sea Foods
