Hooters Umhlanga

Hooters, Inc., is the trade name of two American restaurant chains: Hooters of America, Incorporated, based in Atlanta, Georgia, and Hooters, Incorporated, based in Clearwater, Florida. Owned by two private investment firms, TriArtisan Capital Advisors and Nord Bay Capitol.^[2] The Hooters name is a double entendre referring to both its owl logo, a bird known for its “hooting” calls, and an American slang term for women’s breasts popularized by comedian Steve Martin on the hit comedy series Saturday Night Live.^[3] Hooters also had an airline, Hooters Air, with a normal flight crew and flight attendants and scantily clad “Hooters Girls” on every flight.^[4]

The waiting staff at Hooters restaurants are primarily young women, usually referred to simply as “Hooters Girls”, whose revealing outfits and sex appeal are played up and are a primary component of the company’s image. The company employs men and women as cooks, hosts (at some franchises), busboys, and managers.^[5] The menu includes hamburgers and other sandwiches, steaks, seafood entrees, appetizers, and the restaurant’s specialty, chicken wings. Almost all Hooters restaurants hold alcoholic beverage licenses to sell beer and wine, and where local permits allow, a full liquor bar. Hooters T-shirts, sweatshirts, and various souvenirs and curios are also sold.

In January 2011 Chanticleer Holdings LLC of Charlotte, North Carolina and others completed the purchase of Hooters of America Inc. from the Brooks family.^[6]

In 2015 Hooters announced that it is planning to open more than 30 restaurants in Southeast Asia over the next six years.^[7]

As of 2016 there were more than 430 Hooters locations and franchises around the world and Hooters of America LLC. owns 160 units. There are Hooters locations in 44 US states, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, and in 28 other countries.^[8]