George Berkowitz, the founder of Legal Sea Foods, dies at 97
Son of a Russian immigrant, Berkowitz founded the now-sprawling restaurant chain in 1950 as a fish market in a Boston suburb
DEDHAM, Massachusetts — George Berkowitz, who founded the seafood restaurant chain Legal Sea Foods, has died in a Boston suburb. He was 97.
Berkowitz died in his sleep on February 20 in his retirement community home in Dedham after dealing with failing health, the Boston Globe reports.
He originally founded Legal Sea Foods in 1950 as a fish market next to his Russian immigrant father’s meat market and grocery, Legal Cash Market, in Cambridge, according to the newspaper.
Berkowitz opened the first Legal Sea Foods restaurant next to the fish market in 1968. Over the years the eateries, which feature traditional New England seafood such as clam chowder and fried clams, won a range of national accolades.
Legal Sea Foods founder George Berkowitz dies at 97 https://t.co/rSqpaDkRHJ
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) February 27, 2022
Berkowitz’s son, Roger Berkowitz, eventually took over as CEO and sold the chain to Medford-based PPX Hospitality Brands in 2020, though he retained rights to its online marketplace operation.
There are currently 23 Legal Sea Foods restaurants from Massachusetts to Virginia.
Born in Cambridge, Berkowitz also served in the US Marine Corps. He leaves a wife, three sons, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The family said in an obituary that funeral services for Berkowitz will be private.
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