All Things Travel: Legal Sea Foods Takes Its Case To Airports
BOSTON (CBS) -- "We like the Northeast Corridor," said Roger Berkowitz, CEO of Legal Sea Foods.
The restaurant and direct mail organization has its headquarters on the Boston waterfront, and has restaurant operations at three regional airports--including Philadelphia, Washington, and Boston.
At Logan Airport, Legal has five locations spread out in every domestic departure area. They have 18 restaurant locations in Greater Boston.
"We got into the airport business by accident, and I was originally opposed to the idea," said Berkowitz. "Massport kept after us and we agreed to give it a try."
That was about 20 years ago, when Legal pioneered locally-operated concessions at Logan with their restaurant in Terminal C. It opened near the check-in counters.
Two years ago it relocated to beyond the TSA security check point.
"We learned the airport restaurant business," Berkowitz said. "Travelers wanted fast service, and that meant a reduced menu."
Greater Boston continues to be the focus of the business. Berkowitz was quick to grab hold of the Seaport growth, with the three-story Legal Harborside location for tourists and a Legal Test Kitchen restaurant across the street for locals.
Berkowitz said business is looking pretty good this summer.
"The change taking place is more outdoor dining, and of course the weather is a primary factor," he said.
Next, the growing company is going to go after the railroad crowd, with a new location expected to open by the end of the year at Washington's Union Station.
You can also be assured that Legal will take a look at another Logan location, with the coming expansion of the international Terminal E in the next few years.
All Things Travel Reports with Bob Weiss Can be heard on WBZ News Radio