Duff & Phelps' Restaurant M&A Practice Advised Legal Sea Foods on Its Sale to PPX Hospitality Brands

On December 22, 2020, Legal Sea Foods, LLC (“Legal Sea Foods” or the “Company”), a closely-held polished casual-dining restaurant chain and seafood brand, was acquired by PPX Hospitality Brands, Inc. (“PPX”), a portfolio company of Danu Partners (“Danu”).

Duff & Phelps served as the exclusive financial advisor to Legal Sea Foods in connection with the transaction.

About Legal Sea Foods
Based in Boston, Massachusetts and founded and operated by the Berkowitz family since 1950, Legal Sea Foods is a closely-held and operated restaurant concept with over 20 locations across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. The Company's restaurants offer the freshest and highest quality seafood, an extensive wine list and superior service. Fanatics for freshness, the Company built its own state-of-the-art fish processing plant and food safety laboratory, enabling them to follow the fish from pier to plate. Foley & Lardner LLP served as legal counsel to Legal Sea Foods.

About Danu Partners/PPX Hospitality Brands
Based in Dublin, Ireland, Danu is an investment holding company with investments across a broad range of business sectors, with a strong focus on the hospitality sector. In March 2016, Danu acquired Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group (“S&W”). S&W operates a network of high-end steakhouses across the United States and select international locations, and is well-known for its hand butchered, dry aged steaks on site. In January 2020, Danu formed PPX Hospitality and acquired Boston-based Strega Group, a collection of Italian chophouses. Troutman Pepper served as legal counsel to Danu/PPX.