New seafood venture to expand airport restaurants nationwide under Legal Sea Foods brand

by
editorial staff

Joint venture for American asset management firm RLJ Companies and Legal Sea Foods.

In a press release Robert L. Johnson, Founder and Chairman of the RLJ Companies and Founder of Black Entertainment Television, announced a joint venture with the Boston-based restaurant group Legal Sea Foods to open smaller-scale versions of the popular seafood restaurant within airports across the country.

“I am very excited about the RLJ Companies joining with Legal Sea Foods and its CEO and President Roger S. Berkowitz, to expand the Legal Sea Foods dining experience to millions more airport travellers. Roger’s family founded Legal Sea Foods, whose roots in the food business go back almost 100 years, and has established an exceptional reputation and loyal following for its unparalleled quality,” said Robert L. Johnson.

“As two entrepreneurial owners, Roger and I are both enthusiastic about what our brand combination can successfully achieve in meeting the dining needs of consumers who are seeking first-class food in locations long underserved by great restaurants,” he added.

Legal Sea Foods is based at Logan International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport and Reagan National Airport. The joint venture will lead to a marked increase in new locations across the country.

“As a family-owned and operated company, we feel we have a kindred spirit in Bob who has achieved phenomenal success through smarts, tenacity and a strong sense of what people want,” said Roger Berkowitz, President and CEO of Legal Sea Foods. “Our venture will enable us to bring the freshest, highest quality food from the sea to those travelling by air.”

The seafood chain whose tagline is “if it isn’t fresh, it isn’t legal” has 34 locations across the US. The company was founded by George Berkowitz who opened the Legal Cash Market grocery store in 1950 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and opened the first restaurant next door to the market in 1968.

Legal has in the past, sourced its farmed salmon from True North, which is a part of the Cooke Family of Brands.

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