From Concerts To Crab

Stephen Starr, a Philadelphia restaurateur many will remember for his exploits as a concert promoter, has inked a deal with New York restaurant group Fatty Crew to open a chain of Fatty Crab restaurants in eight cities in the U.S. and one in London, according to Crain’s New York Business.

Photo: facebook.com/StarrRestaurants

Starr, owner of Buddakan and Morimoto eateries, opened Starr’s, a cabaret that featured then-emerging acts such as Jerry Seinfeld and Pat Benatar, and later Ripley Music Hall, a venue that showcased acts like U2EurythmicsCyndi Lauper and Bruce Springsteen

He founded The Concert Company to bring stadium acts to Philadelphia, including MadonnaLionel Richie and George Michael.  His company was purchased by Electric Factory Concerts in 1990.The Starr partnership is the latest growth spurt in Fatty Crew’s expansion, which aims to grow to a $60 million to $80 million company in five years, according to Crain’s.