FIRM FUTURE
Hooters CEO reveals future plans for iconic brand as restaurant chain files for bankrupcty – 44 stores already closed
Read on to find out what Hooters is doing to save itself
HOOTERS says it's business as usual at its remaining branches as the company tries to crawl back from bankruptcy proceedings - and the CEO promises it isn't going anywhere.
It was announced that the iconic US dining chain has signed a crucial deal that hopes to return it to financial stability - despite 44 locations having already closed.
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Business Wire confirmed on Monday that Hooters has signed a Restructuring Support Agreement with a company called The Buyer Group.
This means The Buyer Group, a public relations firm based in Florida with franchising experience, will run a select number of Hooters locations from now on.
The deal has firmly revitalised Hooters' hopes of emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, aiming to do so in 90 to 120 days.
Upon completion of the bankruptcy process, all Hooters locations will be franchisee-owned.
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Sal Melilli, Chief Executive Officer of Hooters of America, said: "Our renowned Hooters restaurants are here to stay.
"Today’s announcement marks an important milestone in our efforts to reinforce Hooters’ financial foundation and continue delivering the guest-obsessed hospitality experience and delicious food our customers and communities have come to expect.
"I’ve seen firsthand the incredible value and opportunities our brand brings to life, and I look forward to continuing that momentum well into the future.
"I’m incredibly grateful to our valued customers, partners, and employees for their continued support."
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Hooters will remain open during this process, it is important to note, and franchises outside of the US are not impacted.
Neil Kiefer, CEO of Hooters Inc., on behalf of the Buyer Group, added: "With over 30 years of hands-on experience across the Hooters ecosystem, we have a profound understanding of our customers and what it takes to not only meet, but consistently exceed their expectations.
Restaurant chain with 475 outlets set to close dozens of locations across the US – as CEO issues ominous warning
"As we look toward the future, we are committed to restoring the Hooters brand back to its roots and simplifying HOA’s operations by adopting a pure franchise model that will maximize the potential for sustainable, long-term growth.
"The foundation we’ve laid ensures the continued success of our brand – one that is driven by a relentless focus on delivering an exceptional experience each and every visit for our customers."
HOOTERS BOUNCING BACK
This announcement comes days after The US Sun reported on the chain's desire to change its image in the eyes of consumers.
As a PR frim, The Buyer Group's experience could greatly help Hooters steer away from its more explicit reputation.
One of the main ways Hooters plans to rescue its image is by scrapping bikini nights.
This came into effect in 2021, as the company brought in new uniforms that looked more like underwear.
This was instead of the jogging shorts that the original Hooters debuted with as a more family orientated beachy diner.
That year also brought the aptly named bikini nights, which would see waitresses walk around in bikinis instead of the already revealing outfits they wore.
Full list of Hooters store closures
The following Hooters locations have already closed:
Alabama
- Hooters, Huntsville, 4729 NW University
- Hooters, Birmingham, 1278 Oak Grove Rd
Florida
- Hooters, Gainesville, 3105 SW 34th St
- Hooters, Lakeland, 3437 South Florida Ave
- Hooters, Orange Park, 1740 Wells Road
- Hooters, West Palm Beach, 2020 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd
Kentucky
- Hooters, Louisville, 4948 Dixie Highway
- Hooters, Richmond, 241 Eastern Bypass
Georgia
- Hooters, Brunswick, 10355 Canal Crossing
- Hooters, Hiram, 5464 Wendy Bagwell Pkwy
- Hooters, Macon, 112 Riverside Parkway
- Hoots Wings by Hooters, Atlanta, 935 Memorial Drive NE, Suite 310
- Hooters, McDonough, 1858 Jonesboro Road
Illinois
- Hooters, Springfield, 3241 Horizon Drive
Indiana
- Hooters, Castleton, 6426 E. 82nd St
- Hooters, Clarksville, 941 Lewis & Clark Pkwy
Maryland
- Hooters, Baltimore, 301 Light St 1445
Missouri
- Hooters, Florissant, 2765 N. Highway 67
- Hooters, Independence, 19850 E. Valley View Pkwy
- Hooters, North Kansas City, 6411 Barry Rd
North Carolina
- Hooters, Greenville, 316 S.W. Greenville Blvd
- Hooters, Jacksonville, 463 Western Blvd
- Hooters, Charlotte, 123 W. Trade Street
Oklahoma
- Hooters, Oklahoma City, 13320 N Pennsylvania Ave
South Carolina
- Hooters, Columbia, 7711 Two Notch Road
Tennessee
- Hooters, Memphis, 7535 Winchester Road
Texas
- Hooters, Beaumont, 850 Interstate 10
- Hooters, Laredo, 5706 San Bernardo Avenue
- Hooters, Houston, 2519 Southwest Parkway
- Hooters, Baytown, 4710 I-10 East
- Hooters, Arlington, 5821 West I-20
- Hooters, Wichita Falls, 3701 Call Field Road
- Hooters, Lewisville, 1960 S. Stemmons
- Hooters, San Antonio, 849 E. Commerce St., Ste. 105
- Hooters, Bryan, 960 N. Earl Rudder Fwy
- Hooters, Lubbock, 4950 S. Loop 289
- Hooters, Galveston, 6028 Heards Lane
- Hooters, Waco, 3921 S. Jack Kultgen Freeway
- Hooters, Fort Worth Downtown, 150 Throckmorton, Suite 132
- Hooters, McAllen, 410 E. Expressway 83
- Hooters, San Angelo, 4384 Sherwood Way
- Hooters, Seabrook, 1818 NASA Road 1
- Hooters, Wichita Falls, 3701 Call Field Rd
Virginia
- Hooters, Manassas, 8503 Rixlew Drive
Commenting on this change, Kiefer said: "I’m calling it a re-Hooterization.
"You go to some parts of the country and people say, ‘Oh I could never go to Hooters, my wife would kill me'.
"That’s depressing to us. We want to change that."
Hooters has struggled in recent years with the typical economic pressure facing lots of other companies like Red Lobster and TGI Friday's.
Uniquely, however, the company also faced a general change in the culture, which made it look progressively more outdated.
The PR sting from the Chapter 11 announcement hasn't done Hooters any favors, and the company is in deep and complicated debt.
Read More on The US Sun
Hooters shuttered 44 locations last year, according to food service consulting firm Technomic.
That brought the total number in the US down to about 250 from a peak of 400 in 2008.
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