Its controversial business model of scantily clad waitresses serving hot chicken wings and jugs of beer skyrocketed the 'original American wing joint' to success in the 80s. However, the tide appears to be turning on Hooters as the chain is facing potential bankruptcy, amid rising costs and a drop in demand for eating out. Hooters, which shut approximately 40 'underperforming' restaurants to cut costs in June, including in Florida , Kentucky , Rhode Island , Texas and Virginia , will likely soon close more of the remaining locations.
The chain's precarious position is a far cry from the heyday of the sports-style bar, which saw immense success in the '80s following a show of support from Super Bowl players. Hordes of customers quickly became gripped by the appeal of the Hooters Girls, who at one time included comedian Katherine Ryan and model Chrissy Teigen , which allowed the brand to expand to open the Hooters Hotel in Las Vegas and open 'Hooters Air'.
However, a string of controversies, including sexual harassment claims, discrimination cases, and a proposed introduction of even skimpier uniforms, has tarnished the brand's reputation over the years as it has struggled to move with the times. It was once a booming business employing hundreds of Hooters Girls, including comedian Katherine Ryan pictured , but now the American chain is facing bankruptcy. A group of six friends, now known as the 'Hooters Six', dreamed up the company in Florida's Clearwater after becoming disillusioned with the area's neighbourhood bars.
The Hooters website writes of its backstory: 'Back in in Clearwater, Florida, six businessmen with no restaurant experience whatsoever got together to open a place they couldn't get kicked out of'.
Inspiration for the brand's name hailed from Steve Martin's monologue on Saturday Night Live - a skit the Hooters Six found hilarious, leading them to use the punchline as their company name. The tale continues that, after opening the first location, police detained the founders for impersonating restauranteurs, 'but fortunately for America, they were soon allowed to go about their business,' so the website clams.
