What Is Really Going On With Hooters In Louisiana?

There has been a lot of smoke surrounding the big chain restaurant Hooters. Are they closing? Are they staying open? We are breaking down what the heck is actually going on with the chain restaurant known for its Hooters Girls.

Hooters is a well-known American restaurant chain famous for its casual dining atmosphere, sports bar vibe, and its iconic Hooters Girls, who serve food and drinks in signature uniforms.

Founded in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida, the brand quickly grew into a recognizable name, serving a menu of burgers, wings, seafood, and cold beer. Over the years, Hooters has expanded internationally, appealing to sports fans and casual diners alike. Despite its popularity, the chain has faced challenges adapting to changing customer preferences and economic conditions, leading to financial struggles and store closures.

Hooters has been around for over 40 years, but its business model is facing challenges. Customers have more options now, and other sports bars like Twin Peaks and Dave & Buster’s are growing while Hooters struggles.

Hooters has been dealing with financial troubles for a while. Last year, the company tried to manage its $300 million debt by closing about 40 underperforming locations across the U.S. States like Rhode Island, Virginia, Florida, Kentucky, and Texas saw Hooters restaurants shut down as part of cost-saving efforts. Louisiana could be next on the list as the company looks for ways to survive in a tough economy.

The company’s debt comes from bonds it sold in 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic kept customers away from dining in. Those bonds are backed by Hooters’ branding rights, franchise fees, and restaurant properties. If the company can’t pay back what it owes, its lenders may force it to sell assets, which could lead to more closures.

To adjust, Hooters launched a more family-friendly concept called “Hoots Wings by Hooters” in 2017. These locations feature male and female servers dressed in normal clothing and focus on takeout-friendly food. However, even these locations are seeing struggles—one of the four Hoots Wings restaurants in Chicago just shut down.

Despite the closures, Hooters still operates about 300 restaurants worldwide. The company has stated that it is still opening new locations in the U.S. and internationally, as well as launching frozen Hooters-branded food products in grocery stores.

For now, it’s unclear exactly how Louisiana’s Hooters locations will be affected. But with the company working with lawyers to prepare for a possible bankruptcy filing, it wouldn’t be surprising if more locations shut their doors in the coming months. Hooters fans in Louisiana should keep an eye out for any announcements from the company about future closures.