Hooters of America is $300 million in debt, and is filing for bankruptcy. In 2024, it closed about 40 locations in the United States.
Hooters was founded by six businessmen: Lynn D. Stewart, Gil DiGiannantonio, Ed Droste, Billy Ranieri, Dennis Johnson, and Ken Wimmer. They opened the first Hooters restaurant in Clearwater, Florida on October 4, 1983.
They referred to themselves humorously as the "Hooters Six" and originally started the restaurant as a fun, tongue-in-cheek project, not expecting it to become a national chain.
Hooters grew into a massive international brand from that single Clearwater, Florida location. Here's a quick look at how big it got at its peak:
Peak Size & Reach
Over 430 locations worldwide
29 countries including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, Japan, and several in Europe, South America, and the Middle East
At its height in the early 2000s, it was a pop culture phenomenon with branded merchandise, calendars, and even its own airline for a short time (yes, Hooters Air, launched in 2003)
Business Model & Appeal
Famous for its "Hooters Girls" — a controversial but central part of the brand identity
Focused on casual dining with burgers, wings, beer, and sports on TV
Targeted primarily toward a male demographic
Decline & Challenges
The brand has seen declining popularity in recent years due to:
Changing cultural attitudes
Increased competition from other sports bars and restaurants
