Empire Building

So Long, Back Bay Restaurant Group

Papa Razzi will still sling pasta.
Papa Razzi will still sling pasta. Photo: Papa Razzi

We first got wind of the news thanks to Patrick Maguire of the Server Not Servant industry blog, as he reported the unconfirmed reports on his Facebook page last night. The Group operates Boston mainstays like Abe & Louie’s (one of the area’s highest-grossing restaurants), Atlantic Fish, Joe’s American Bar + Grill, and Papa Razzi. The story was later picked up and confirmed by the Globe. (Though Maguire wasn’t cited in this piece. Who got there first?) Read on for more.

Per the Globe, BBRG has agreed to sell its assets to a California-based firm, Tavistock Restaurants LLC. They operate West Coast chains like Napa Valley Grille, California Cafe, and Blackhawk Grille.

Now, apparently, they’ll begin operating all 33 restaurants currently overseen by BBRG, though rumors swirl that another company might ultimately overtake Papa Razzi.

BBRG founder Charles Sarkis has suffered from brain cancer for several years but continued to oversee his empire despite his health woes; per the Globe, the sale will allow him to focus on his recovery. The estimated value of the agreement is roughly $50 million.

We’ve always appreciated the restaurants’ attentive service; the food’s reliably good, too. Will Tavistock continue the legacy?

Server Not Servant

West Coast Firm to Buy Boston Restaurant Group [Globe]

So Long, Back Bay Restaurant Group