Of the 58 stores remaining after Skippers, Inc initially filed for bankruptcy, more than 30 were sold to various individuals and corporate interests. Restructuring failed, and Skippers, Inc was liquidated on June 29th, 2007. court in Seattle, Washington in an effort to restructure the organization. At this time the ownership group was once again forced to close more units, and considerably down size the amount of staff in the home office, and corporate field staff. Despite the efforts made by the new ownership team, the chain continued to struggle. Skippers now operated stores in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Along with the re imaging a new modernized logo was introduced at this time. The team began by investing in updating the looks of it’s restaurants and an across the board re certification and re training of all the companies employees. Under new ownership, the Skippers management team set out again to right the sinking ship. In 2002 Meridian Capital sold off the struggling seafood chain to a group of northwest investors. Unable still to stabilize the chains economic struggles, and declining guest counts – Meridian Capital was forced to close more units. More than just fish and chips, the Seattle Crab Co provided full table service, and a full menu of traditional northwest seafood favorites. Even a full service location was opened in Northgate, Washington – The Seattle Crab Co. Several Skippers units in the Seattle market were converted to a more modern concept, with an updated building remodel and a revamped menu – the units were called Seattle Fish and Chips. In a focused effort, an attempt at re imaging was made. With some Skippers management teams at this time believing that possibly the Skippers brand name was outdated and the company image old and tired. Cheeseburgers, shakes, and smoothies were also introduced at this time. The Skippers management team introduced a line of grilled entrée’s including grilled salmon, halibut, and chicken. Skippers was purchased by Meridian Capital in 1995, bringing the ownership of the chain back to the Northwest.įrom 1995 to 2001 Meridian Capital tried several ventures to attempt to bring the chain back to it’s former glory days. NPC operated Skippers until 1995 when the Pizza Hut giant decided to sell off the now struggling seafood chain. As a result, sales declined, and NPC was forced to close non performing units. By sacrificing quality for convenience this led to public outcry as regular patrons demanded the original fish back. Managing from the East Coast NPC shifted focus from a high quality fish cut and dressed in house to several versions of a freezer to fryer fish, which many felt lacked the quality and flavor of the hand dressed fish. In 1989, after 20 years of success in the fish and chips business Herb Rosen sold the seafood chain to east coast based National Pizza Company – the nations largest franchiser of Pizza Hut restaurants. By the mid 1980’s Skippers was at it’s peak of success and grown to over 200 restaurants in the Pacific Northwest. People in the Puget Sound area would line up at the neighborhood Skippers to experience the now legendary “ Tuesday All You Can Eat Fish, Chips, and Chowder!” This early success led the chain to experience rapid growth as new locations were opened in several western states and British Columbia. The clam chowder recipe, more than ordinary, won several awards early on, and became a guest favorite. By processing, cutting, and dressing their own fish, Skippers, Inc quickly gained notoriety for serving top quality fish and chips prepared in the northwest tradition. Skippers began serving fried fish, shrimp, and clams as well as chowders. Skippers Fish & Chips- South Beach is a Seafood Restaurant, located at: 5 West Street, 4001 Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.About Skippers Skippers Seafood and Chowder House Restaurantsįounded by Herb Rosen in Bellevue, Washington, in 1969.
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