IT’S the infamous food chain famous for its chicken wings, beer and scantily-clad waitresses.
But no amount of sexy servers has been able to save Hooters of America from reports of an impending collapse.
Racy restaurant chain Hooters could be going bust[/caption]
The speculation comes after the chain dramatically closed 40 locations last month[/caption]
At the height of its popularity, Hooters had more than 600 locations globally, but that figure is down to 293[/caption]
A plan is reportedly being put in place to restructure Hooters’ operations[/caption]
Bosses at the popular restaurant chain are reportedly working on a plan to restructure its operations alongside creditors.
It comes just months after Hooters dramatically shut 40 of its US sites without warning, sparking fears for the institution’s future as footfall continues to decline.
In 2021, it sold about $300 million worth of asset-backed bonds.
The restaurant is addressing a considerable amount of debt with law firm Ropes & Gray and is preparing filings, although sources say the final plans are not yet definitive.
Some customers assume footfall has fallen as rival chains like Twin Peaks with a similar format have been “steadily stealing” customers.
Previously, the firm told The Sun that “pressure from current market conditions” was a significant reason behind the sudden closure of 40 of its restaurants.
Hooters made its way to the UK in early 1998 with a branch in Birmingham.
However, this was short-lived and closed in October 1999, less than a year and a half after it launched.
Fortunately, by this point, there was Hooters of Nottingham which is still open to this day.
The iconic female waitresses, known as ‘Hooters girls’, wore skimpy outfits consisting of tight orange shorts and white vests with the owl mascot on.
As if this wasn’t controversial enough among feminists, the chain also hosts in-house bikini pageants where winners can go home with $30,000 (£23,683) prize fund.
Hooters has enjoyed staggering international success over the last four decades – leading to the brand even launching its own airline.
But things have been rocky in recent years. At its peak, Hooters had more than 600 locations globally, but now that figure is down to 293.
We take a look at the highs and lows of the iconic chain…
Uniform rows
The unmistakable ‘Hooters girl’ uniform has been a source of contention for many years – it’s a skimpy shorts and vest set, with the owl mascot on the front.
The chicken chain was founded in 1983 by Gil DiGiannantonio, Edward C. Droste, Billy Ranieri, Ken Wimmer, Lynn D. Stewart and Dennis Johnson – and these six men chose the ensemble.
The iconic Hooters uniform consists of a printed white vest top and tiny orange shorts[/caption]
But the chain faced backlash in 2021 for making the orange shorts even teenier[/caption]
They came up with the name Hooters because it is a double entendre – slang for owls AND women’s breasts.
Each waitress who landed a job had to sign and agree to three statements, which included accepting that the chain is based on sex appeal and that they have to entertain customers.
There’s no longer anything covered by these shorts!
Hooters waitress Kristen Songer
Although the uniform has largely stayed the same since the first restaurant opened, the chain faced backlash in 2021 for making the shorts even shorter.
Many female employees criticised the change, arguing that the shorts provided minimal coverage.
The New York Post reported at the time that Hooters instructed employees who felt “uncomfortable” with the new, skimpier shorts to submit their resignations.
Hooters waitress Kristen Songer, 22, voiced her frustration on TikTok, saying: “There’s no longer anything covered by these shorts. This is why all the Hooters girls are upset, because this is not what I agreed to wear when I was hired a year ago.”
Bikini pageants
Since 1986, Hooters has been issuing a calendar featuring Hooters Girls – and even hosted signings in some restaurants.
And since 1996, the company has held Miss Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant, a competition of its waitresses from around the world.
The Miss Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant, a competition of its waitresses from around the world, has been running since 1996[/caption]
The winner of the controversial competition walked away with a whopping $30,000[/caption]
The annual winners can walk away with a tasty $30,000 (£23,683) prize fund, with the showcase being hosted in a different location every year.
The pageant has experienced its fair share of controversy throughout the year, with feminists condemning it for “objectifying” women.
And interestingly, several studies have suggested that working at Hooters could take a psychological toll on its employees, with higher levels of objectification being associated with anxiety and potential eating disorders.
In response to the criticism, the company regularly donates to charities that help promote women’s entrepreneurship.
Cassidy Welch was crowned 2024 Miss Hooters International, her second time competing.
The Hooters announcement reads: “A 4-time Hooters Calendar Girl, she has graced the months as Miss September 2023 and Miss July 2024 with her captivating presence. Her charisma and charm have also shone brightly in Hooters commercials and billboards, making her a recognizable face.”
Famous faces
A number of celebrities kicked off their careers in Hooters, including comedian Katherine Ryan.
Since her waitressing stint, she’s dominated the male-heavy panels of 8 Out of 10 Cats, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Would I Lie to You? and Have I Got News for You.
Chrissy Teigen also worked there when she was younger, and got her uniform out once again at Halloween[/caption]
The Sopranos star Vincent Pastore is among the famous faces that has visited Hooters over the years[/caption]
Despite making millions in the comedy arena, she says she truly found her empowerment while working at Hooters, despite admitting the chain restaurant is a place that “objectifies” women.
“Hooters was interestingly the place that I found kind of the most empowerment for myself,” she revealed on Paul C. Brunson‘s podcast, We Need To Talk, last month.
Katherine revealed that after growing tired of competing in company bikini pageants at the restaurants, she asked to host them instead – allowing her to wear a dress rather than skimpy swimwear and “have a voice”.
Late Glee star Naya Rivera also worked at Hooters before finding fame.
“In my 20-year-old brain, I knew I was cute. So I thought ‘Cute + Hooters = better tips,” she wrote in her autobiography, Sorry Not Sorry.
But she soon found that “Hooters may have been a job for bimbos but it was not a job for slackers”.
Other famous staff members include Amy Adams, Chrissy Teigen, Playboy bunny Holly Madison, and Anna Burns.
Football fury
In September 2022, Hooters of Nottingham came under fire for sponsoring an under-10s football team.
The business agreed a season-long deal with local side Burton Joyce FC for its then-new home strip.
The green kit featured the brand’s iconic owl, Hootie, and the name of the restaurant – which is a slang word for boobs.
UK bosses at the chain proudly announced the sponsorship online with pictures of some of the boys and two of its scantily-clad waitresses in the official merchandise.
The announcement read: “Hooters Nottingham are proud to be the new sponsors of Burton Joyce U10s.
“We wish you all the luck this season, boys. Go smash it.”
The diner’s bosses had wanted to increase its appeal and foster better links with the community.
It wasn’t received well by locals online, with many slamming the partnership on social media at the time.
One fumed: “Who could think that’s appropriate?
“What next? Ann Summers sponsoring the Scouts or a lap dancing club advertising at school events?”
