HOOTERS is planning to close down more than 30 of its restaurants across several states.
The sudden shutdowns come after Hooters of America filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
GettyHooters’ closures mark a shift away from the company’s recent “family-friendly” plan (stock image)[/caption] GettyHooters currently owns and operates 22 Hooters restaurants in Florida and Illinois (stock image)[/caption] Hooters CEO Neil Kiefer noted that closing underperforming locations was always part of the planFox NewsThe locations that are expected to close are all based in Atlanta, Georgia and owned by Hooters corporate, the company confirmed.
Other affected stores include locations in Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, according to Today.
Moving forward, the chain restaurant has aimed to switch up its business model.
Hooters will “continue [its] iconic legacy under a pure franchise business model,” a company spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
This means that a corporate franchise will provide business owners (or franchisees) with all necessities to open their own storefront, including products to be sold and marketing materials.
“We are committed to supporting our impacted team members throughout this process and are incredibly grateful to our valued customers for their loyalty and dedication to the Hooters brand,” the spokesperson said.
Hooters of America’s bankruptcy filing is part of a plan to allow a founder-led buyout and restructuring of the chain.
Restaurants have shuttered in at least 10 states, including Florida and Texas, USA Today reported.
Neil Kiefer, CEO of Hooters Inc., based in Clearwater, Florida, said in April 2025 that his group plans to “clean these stores up” and “change the culture.”
“We will get the training back, we will agree on what the menu should be, there are different versions, it’s gotten too large in some cases,” he added.
“We will put some money in these stores, because there wasn’t much cash flow in the existing company, and in my opinion, a lot of it has been taken out in the form of dividends. It has to be reinvested.”
Hooters Inc. is the original company that founded the Hooters concept in 1983.
The company currently owns and operates 22 Hooters restaurants in Florida and Illinois.
Two more locations in Florida are expected to open later this year.
Hooters Closures
Tuscaloosa, Alabama Sanford, Florida Orlando, Florida – Kirkman Road Kissimmee, Florida – Osceola Parkway Melbourne, Florida Tallahassee, Florida Jacksonville, Florida Atlanta, Georgia – Downtown Douglasville, Georgia Gwinnett, Georgia Valdosta, Georgia Greenwood, Indiana Lafayette, Indiana Evansville, Indiana Rockford, Illinois Newport, Kentucky Detroit, Michigan Flint, Michigan Taylor, Michigan St. Louis, Missouri – Downtown Charlotte, North Carolina – South Boulevard Columbia, South Carolina Rock Hill, South Carolina Murfreesboro, Tennessee Memphis, Tennessee – Downtown Nashville, Tennessee – Harding Place Grapevine, Texas Houston, Texas – 120 FM 1960 W San Marcos, TexasSource: USA Today
Kiefer noted that closing underperforming locations was always part of the plan.
The buyer group involved in the restructuring owns over 30% of all domestic Hooters locations.
This includes 14 of the 30 highest-volume restaurants in the US.
Once the bankruptcy court approves the restructuring, the buyer group plans to operate about 130 Hooters restaurants.
That will represent roughly 65% of all domestic locations.
“We are confident that the acquisition will be finalized later this summer and we are excited to move forward into the next chapter of the Hooters brand,” Kiefer said.
He added that decisions about store closures are difficult but necessary.
“All parties are completely aligned in bringing the necessary resources required to make the remaining 200 domestic Hooters locations as successful as possible,” he said.
The closures and restructuring mark a shift away from the company’s recent “family friendly” plan.
It’s a move aimed at preserving the brand’s legacy and financial stability.
Hooters will now focus on growing through franchise partnerships instead of corporately owned stores.
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