Legal Sea Foods facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Legal Sea Foods

Type	Private
Industry	Restaurants
Founded	Cambridge, Massachusetts, fish market (1950); restaurant (1968)
Founder	George Berkowitz
Headquarters	Boston, Massachusetts , U.S.
Number of locations	26 (2023)
Area served	Eastern Seaboard
Key people	Roger Berkowitz, President & CEO Rich Vellante, Executive Chef Sandy Block, MW, VP of Beverage
Products	seafood
Brands	Legal Sea Foods Legal C Bar Legal Test Kitchen (defunct) Legal Fish Bowl (defunct) Legal Oysteria (defunct)
Services	Hospitality
Revenue	US$200 million (2020)
Number of employees	3,500 (2020)

Legal Sea Foods is a well-known American restaurant chain. It serves delicious seafood in a casual dining style. Most of its restaurants are found in the Northeastern United States.

The company's main office is in the South Boston Seaport District. As of 2022, Legal Sea Foods has 25 restaurants in five states: Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Many of these are in the Greater Boston area. Over 7 million customers visit these restaurants every year. Each restaurant is usually about 6,000 square feet (560 m²) in size.

Legal Sea Foods also sells fresh fish online. They ship fish anywhere in the contiguous United States. They also have a section that sells other seafood products. Over the years, the company has tried different restaurant ideas. These include Legal Test Kitchen, Legal C Bar, Legal Harborside, and Legal Fish Bowl.

Legal Sea Foods has a famous saying: "If it isn’t fresh, it isn’t Legal!"

In December 2020, Roger Berkowitz, the CEO, announced that the restaurant part of the business was sold. It was bought by PPX Hospitality Brands, a company based in Massachusetts.

George Berkowitz, who started Legal Sea Foods, passed away on February 20, 2022. He was 97 years old.

History of Legal Sea Foods

How it All Started

The story of Legal Sea Foods began in 1904. Harry Berkowitz, George's father, opened a grocery store called "Legal Cash Market." It was in Inman Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The name "Legal" came from the "Legal Stamps" given to loyal customers. This store helped Harry and his family until the late 1940s. Big chain grocery stores like Stop & Shop started to appear, making it tough for small family businesses.

In 1950, George Berkowitz opened a fish market next to his father's grocery store. He called it Legal Sea Foods. This added a special touch to the grocery business. Customers could buy fresh fish there. From the early 1950s, the market sold fresh fish and fish and chips that customers could only take to-go.

In 1968, the Berkowitz family opened a restaurant in the space next door. They served simple fried seafood like fish and chips, fried clams, and shrimp. Customers ate on paper plates at picnic tables.

In 1975, the restaurant grew. They opened a more traditional restaurant in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Sadly, the first restaurant in Inman Square was destroyed by a fire on January 18, 1980. That same year, George, with his sons Marc and Roger, opened a new main restaurant. It was located in the Boston Park Plaza in downtown Boston.

Growth in the 1980s

In 1981, Legal Sea Foods' famous fish chowder was chosen for a special event. It was served at the first inauguration of Ronald Reagan. Since then, it has been served at every presidential inauguration. Also in 1981, the restaurant created one of the first quality control centers. This center made sure fish was processed and distributed safely.

In 1986, Legal Sea Foods was named "Best Seafood Restaurant in America." This award came from NBC's Today Show.

New Ideas in the 1990s

In 1990, the restaurant worked with the United States Department of Commerce. They helped create a program called hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP). This program set high standards for freshness and food safety in the fishing industry.

In 1992, Roger Berkowitz, George's son, became the CEO of the company. Roger had worked in the family business since he was ten years old. He became the company's spokesperson. He even voiced many of their radio commercials.

In 1994, Food Arts Magazine gave George and Roger Berkowitz an award. It was for their great work in seafood for 30 years. That same year, Legal Sea Foods opened its first airport restaurant. It was at Logan International Airport in Boston. Later, they opened another at Philadelphia International Airport. Also in 1994, Legal Sea Foods invited chefs from China. They helped add Asian cuisine to the restaurant's menu. Some of these dishes are still served today.

At the Super Bowl XXXI in 1997, fans in New Orleans enjoyed New England clam chowder. It was served from Legal Sea Food's special "Chowda van."

In 1998, Roger Berkowitz joined the Harvard School of Public Health Nutrition Roundtable. This group discusses important topics about nutrition. In the same year, Bon Appétit magazine called Legal Sea Food one of the Top Ten Tried and True restaurants in America. Rich Vellante also became the restaurant group's Executive Chef that year.

In 1999, Roger Berkowitz received the Silver Plate award. This award is one of the highest honors in the food industry.

Innovations in the 2000s

In 2000, the American Institute of Food and Wine celebrated Legal Sea Food's 50th birthday. Famous chefs, including Julia Child, attended. The CBS news program, Eye on America, featured Legal Sea Food's quality control program. They highlighted its focus on food safety.

Legal Sea Foods Quality Control Center and corporate headquarters as seen from Boston Harbor (2017).

In 2003, Legal Sea Foods became one of the first American restaurants to remove trans-fat from its food. A new cookbook, "The New Legal Sea Foods Cookbook," was also published that year.

In 2005, a new type of restaurant, Legal Test Kitchen (LTK), was launched. Its menu had many non-seafood items and lower prices. Also in 2005, Legal Sea Foods started offering gluten-free options. This gave more choices to customers with celiac disease.

In 2008, Parents magazine named Legal Sea Foods one of the ten best family-friendly restaurant chains. Later in 2008, Roger Berkowitz was honored in the Nation's Restaurant News MenuMasters Hall of Fame.

In 2009, Legal C Bar opened in Dedham, Massachusetts. It focused on serving casual seafood and special cocktails.

Challenges and Growth in the 2010s

In 2011, Legal Sea Foods opened its new main restaurant, Legal Harborside. It is located on the Boston waterfront. Esquire magazine named it "Best New Restaurant."

In 2013, Legal Sea Foods announced a new restaurant called Legal Crossing (LXI). It was planned for the Downtown Crossing area of Boston.

On February 22, 2014, there was a serious incident at a Legal Sea Foods branch in New York. A carbon monoxide leak caused harm to several people. The company's CEO, Roger Berkowitz, promised to install carbon monoxide detectors in all locations. He also said the company would work to make laws requiring these detectors in commercial buildings.

In April 2017, Legal Fish Bowl opened in Kendall Square. This restaurant is a fast-casual place. It offers six special poke bowls and allows customers to create their own. That same year, Roger Berkowitz received a "Who’s Who" James Beard Award.

In 2018, the company opened Legal Sea Bar in Washington, DC. This concept focused more on the bar experience.

In 2019, Legal Sea Foods started working with Stonewall Kitchen. This company makes specialty foods in Maine. Together, they created a line of sauces, dressings, and condiments. These products are sold as "Legal Sea Foods by Stonewall Kitchen."

Recent Years (2020s)

In January 2020, Legal Sea Foods announced a partnership with RLJ Companies. Their goal is to open more Legal Sea Foods restaurants in major airports across the United States.

Sustainability Efforts

Legal Sea Foods cares about serving fish that is caught responsibly. CEO Roger Berkowitz has spoken about how important it is to source fish correctly. He explains that the company makes sure its fish comes from areas that support healthy fish populations. For example, they avoid serving Chilean Sea-bass because it is an overfished species. Even if it could be sourced sustainably, they choose not to serve it to show their commitment.

The company is also known for using "top catch" fishing methods. This means fish are not brought onto the boat until it is docked. They also get fish from "day boats." These are fishermen who go out to fish for just one day.

Legal Sea Foods only serves fish that meet the guidelines of the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These are considered sustainable species by the government.

Locations of Restaurants

As of April 2023^[update], Legal Sea Foods has 24 restaurants in 5 states.

How Legal Sea Foods Operates

Besides its main restaurants, the company runs different types of places. These include Legal Test Kitchen, Legal C Bar, Legal Harborside, and Legal Fish Bowl. Each has its own unique style and menu.

Legal Sea Foods was one of the first restaurants in the United States to use lean production techniques. These methods help improve the customer experience. One big change was adding a "line back" position. This person quickly restocks what the chefs need. This helps the kitchen run smoothly and efficiently.

What's on the Menu?

The menus change based on the location, season, and restaurant type. They offer special seafood main dishes, appetizers, salads, and desserts. Throughout the year, they feature over 40 kinds of fresh fish and shellfish. These are prepared in the traditional New England way. Some popular items include lobster, clam chowder, crab cakes, and grilled fish fillets.

All locations also have a wide selection of wines and full-service bars. They are known for offering good value at all price points. The restaurant has separate menus for lunch and dinner. They also offer gluten-free options and a special menu for kids.

The company buys fish directly from "day boat" fishing operations. This helps them market themselves as having the freshest fish. Legal Sea Foods has also made big steps in how they handle fish. They have worked with government agencies to develop Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). This ensures food safety.

Legal Sea Foods in the Media

Bon Appétit magazine has called a meal at Legal Sea Foods one of America's "Top Ten Tried-and-True" dining experiences. Legal Sea Foods is also mentioned in Patricia Schultz's popular travel guide, "1,000 Places to See Before You Die".

The Legal Harborside first floor dining room at their restaurant in the South Boston Waterfront.

In January 2011, Legal Sea Foods hosted a dinner. It featured fish species that some groups said should be avoided for environmental reasons. Roger Berkowitz, the CEO, stated that some of the science about sustainable fishing was "flawed." While some environmental groups criticized this, others, including some in the media, praised it. Fishermen from Gloucester supported the choice to use locally sourced fish.

Awards and Recognition

Advertising and Marketing

Since 2007, DeVito/Verdi has been the advertising agency for Legal Sea Foods.

In 2008, Legal Sea Foods ran a funny campaign called "Really Fresh Fish." Their outdoor and radio ads caused some talk because of their "fresh" slogans. They also won awards.

In 2010, the company started a radio campaign called "Fresh Insights." CEO Roger Berkowitz was the voice in these ads.

In 2014, Legal Sea Foods started print and TV ads. They argued that their seafood restaurants should not be called a "chain." Roger Berkowitz, the CEO, explained why in these ads.

In March 2015, Legal Sea Foods worked with Uber. They offered to deliver bowls of clam chowder anywhere in Boston. The chowder cost $10, and $1 from each sale went to the Greater Boston Food Bank.

In 2015, Legal Sea Foods launched a big advertising campaign. It humorously tried to create a new "religion" for people who eat fish but not other meat, called "pescatarians." CEO Roger Berkowitz said this was their biggest campaign yet. It was shown in print, online, and on TV. Some religious people were slightly offended by the humorous comparison to religious figures.

During the 2016 United States presidential primary, Legal Sea Foods created a funny campaign. On Super Tuesday, Roger Berkowitz pretended to run for President of the United States. He made funny promises, like legalizing seaweed on his first day in office. He also encouraged people to use #feeltheberk on social media. These ads appeared in newspapers, on news radio, and in print.

Company Partnerships

Legal Sea Foods has a long history with the Boston Red Sox (baseball team) and the Boston Celtics (basketball team). The Celtics’ "Fan of the Game" event was started by Legal Sea Foods. It has been a part of every home game for over 10 years. The company also sponsored the Washington Capitals hockey team. In addition, Legal Sea Foods introduced the "Lobster Lob" at all home games for the Boston Pride hockey team during the 2019–2020 season.

See also

• Cuisine of New England
• List of seafood restaurants
• List of restaurant chains in the United States