The decision, as reported by The Nation’s Restaurant News, is a response to the "pressure from current market conditions."
According to the Daily Caller, the closures have been abrupt and without prior notice to the employees. For instance, a Hooters outlet in Lakeland, Florida, was shut down without any forewarning. Similarly, two branches in the Louisville area, Kentucky, were closed without any explanation provided, as per WDRB.
In a statement obtained by The Nation’s Restaurant News, Hooters addressed the closures, stating, “Like many restaurants under pressure from current market conditions, Hooters has made the difficult decision to close a select number of underperforming stores. Ensuring the well-being of our staff is our priority in these rare instances. With new Hooters restaurants opening domestically and internationally, new Hooters frozen products launching at grocery stores, and the Hooters footprint expanding into new markets with both company and franchise locations, this brand of 41 years remains highly resilient and relevant. We look forward to continuing to serve our guests at home, on the go and at our restaurants here in the U.S. and around the globe.”
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Hooters now finds itself among other American franchises, such as Red Lobster, that have been forced to close locations due to financial strain. Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May.
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Hooters, a brand that has been a part of the American dining scene for over four decades, was founded in Clearwater, Florida, in 1983. The founders were "six businessmen with no restaurant experience whatsoever" who aspired to open a restaurant where they "couldn’t get kicked out of." Despite the current setbacks, the company remains optimistic about its future, emphasizing its resilience and relevance in the ever-changing market landscape.
