Legal Sea Foods, a renowned restaurant chain, has disclosed plans to launch a significant innovation center. This 30,000 square foot space will focus on facets such as culinary and beverage innovation, quality control, central commissary, and e-commerce fulfillment. The center, backed by the parent company PPX Hospitality Brands is expected to commence operations in Milford by early 2024, according to the Boston.com.
Since its inception in 1950 by the Berkowitz family as a small fish market in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Legal Sea Foods has steadily grown. Over the years, and to not compromise on freshness and quality, it adopted the catchphrase "If it isn't fresh, it isn't Legal!" In 2023, PPX Hospitality Brands relocated Legal Sea Foods' corporate facility to the Boston Fish Pier to support expansion goals. As reported on their website, Legal Sea Foods' currently operates 23 restaurants and a sophisticated food safety laboratory where all seafood products are being tested.
Matt King, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Legal Sea Foods, expressing his optimism for the new innovation center, said that this initiative is a chance to bring together synergistic thinkers to constantly improve the in-dining and home delivery experiences. Legal Sea Foods is collaborating with Clarke, representing the brands Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, for developing this innovation center for further adherence to quality.
In addition to preparing clam chowder soups, sauces, and stocks for Legal Sea Foods' restaurants, the commissary kitchen in the innovation center is also to assist in the production of items for their e-commerce program. This development comes in response to the surge in demands on the website. Boston.com earlier reportted that Legal Sea Foods had recently introduced a new online shop offering lobster roll kits, high-quality fish, crab cakes, and chowder etc.
The innovation center will also house a test kitchen for experimenting with new recipes, a comprehensive bar to train staff on cocktail making, and a television studio for creating training and marketing videos. This variety of facilities is a testament to Legal Sea Foods' ongoing diversification efforts, while it continues to abide by its long-standing commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.
As the venture continues to grow and progress, King hopes that the new innovation center will serve as a catalyst for further growth in the e-commerce sector. He showed his eagerness "to what we are able to continue to do to evolve our menus within the restaurants, with our increased capacity and technology within this space."
Close on the heels of the announcement of the innovation center, Legal Sea Foods also unveiled plans to open a location at Logan Airport in the winter of 2024. With steadfast commitment to fresh and quality seafood, such expansion efforts are geared to reach more customers in the future. The anticipated launch of the innovation center in early 2024 portrays the collective ambition of the restaurant chain to boost both its online and walk-in dining experiences.
