Skippers Returns To Northwest Ownership

Skippers, the regional seafood restaurant chain, is returning to local ownership after seven years as part of Kansas City-based NPC International Inc., management officials participating in the buyout announced today.

Local investors joined members of Skippers’ management team to form the holding company Seattle Crab Co., which is buying the 112-restaurant chain. The price was not disclosed and there was no answer at the telephone number listed in a news release announcing the acquisition.

The chain, with stores in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Montana, North Dakota, Alaska and British Columbia, had been reporting losses for several years.

The management team moved to improve operations over the past 12 months, and made the buyout offer once the chain was positioned for profitability, the release said. Skippers generated nearly $45 million in sales during the fiscal year that ended last month.