Hooters is reportedly working on a bankruptcy plan that would allow the mammary-themed restaurant chain to restructure and manage debt.
It’s parent company, Hooters of America, is said to have met with a law firm about the possibility of initiating a legal process in the next few months that would buy the company time to reorganize. According to Bloomberg, that plan is not final.
The Atlanta-based eatery operates more than 400 locations in 29 countries, according to its website. Its store finder shows one New York City location in Fresh Meadow, Queens.
The company previously shuttered roughly 40 “underperforming” restaurants in 2024, but planned to move forward.
“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,” the company told Nation’s Restaurant News last June.
But decreasing foot traffic, inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic have proven challenging for restaurants of all kinds. Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 in May after closing several stores, but exited bankruptcy in September after being acquired by a new owner.
While chicken wings are Hooters’ signature menu item, the eatery is best known for its servers, who wear tight orange shorts and white T-shirts bearing the company’s name.
Model and golf world influencer Paige Spiranac came out swinging after hearing about Hooters possibly filing for bankruptcy.
“Not on my watch,” she wrote on social media.
Hooters has not responded to a request for comment.
