Who Owns Hooters?
Hooters is owned by Hooters of America, LLC, a privately held American restaurant company founded in 1983. The company operates as a subsidiary of various investment groups and private equity firms. Hooters maintains its headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, USA.
Parent Company
Hooters of America, LLC
Founded
1983
Status
Private
Headquarters
Clearwater, Florida, USA
Who Owns Hooters?
- Parent Company: Hooters of America, LLC
- Ownership Type: Private company
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Hooters | Hooters of America, LLC | Private company |
History of Hooters
- Founded: 1983
- Founders: Brennan Rosenthal, Eddie Enz, Lindy Miles
Hooters was founded on April 1, 1983, by Brennan Rosenthal, Eddie Enz, and Lindy Miles in Clearwater, Florida. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for casual dining restaurants solutions while establishing a distinctive approach that would define the casual dining restaurants category for generations. The first location opened as a casual dining restaurant with a distinctive brand concept combining seafood, American cuisine, and a recognizable brand identity. This strategic positioning demonstrated Hooters's exceptional ability to create differentiated casual dining restaurants solutions while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards that would define the brand for decades. The restaurant quickly gained popularity and began expanding beyond its original Florida location.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Hooters expanded rapidly, becoming a nationally recognized casual dining chain. This period of excellence demonstrated Hooters's exceptional ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent brand positioning and quality standards across multiple casual dining restaurants segments. The company went public in 1989 but was later taken private through various acquisitions and restructurings. This strategic diversification demonstrated Hooters's exceptional ability to serve multiple consumer segments while maintaining its core brand identity and market leadership in the casual dining restaurants industry. The brand expanded internationally, establishing locations in multiple countries across Europe, Asia, and other regions.
Hooters has maintained its core casual dining concept while adapting to changing market conditions and consumer preferences. This continued evolution demonstrated Hooters's exceptional ability to maintain market relevance while adapting to changing casual dining restaurants requirements and consumer preferences. The company has faced various ownership changes and operational challenges but continues to operate as a recognizable casual dining brand with a significant global presence. This continued excellence demonstrates Hooters's exceptional ability to maintain market leadership while adapting to changing casual dining restaurants dynamics and regulatory requirements. This strategic integration demonstrated Hooters's exceptional ability to integrate into larger restaurant corporations while maintaining its core brand identity and cultural significance in the casual dining industry. This continued success represents a significant milestone in the evolution of casual dining and consumer-focused restaurant solutions.
About Hooters of America, LLC
Who owns Hooters?
Hooters of America, LLC is owned by Nord Bay Capital and TriArtisan Capital Advisors, private equity firms that acquired the company in 2019. The company is not publicly traded.
Did Hooters go bankrupt?
Yes, Hooters of America filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2024, citing rising costs, declining sales, and competitive pressures. The company used the bankruptcy process to close underperforming locations and restructure its debt, emerging from bankruptcy in late 2024.
When was Hooters founded?
Hooters was founded on April 1, 1983, in Clearwater, Florida, by six investors including Gil DiGiannantonio, Dennis Johnson, Ed Droste, William Ranieri, Ken Wimmer, and Don Hooten.
How many Hooters locations are there?
Following its 2024 bankruptcy and restructuring, Hooters operates a reduced number of locations compared to its peak of more than 400. The exact current count varies as the company continues its restructuring.
What is Hoots?
Hoots is a fast-casual spinoff concept launched by Hooters in 2021, featuring a smaller restaurant format without the Hooters Girls concept. Hoots focuses on chicken wings and tenders in a more modern, gender-neutral environment.
- Founded: 1983
- Headquarters: Clearwater, Florida, USA
- Company Type: Privately Held
Where Is Hooters Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Clearwater, Florida, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, International locations
Hooters Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Established brand with over 40 years of market presence
- +Distinctive brand identity with strong customer recognition
- +Diversified revenue streams from food, beverages, and merchandise
- +Flexible franchise model supporting expansion
- +Strong presence in casual dining and tourism markets
Considerations
- -Intense competition in casual dining restaurant sector
- -Changing consumer preferences affecting casual dining traffic
- -Operational complexity managing franchise locations
- -Brand perception challenges in evolving market environment
- -Dependence on tourism and discretionary spending patterns
Frequently Asked Questions About Hooters
Competitors to Hooters
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tgi Fridays Inc | USA | 1965 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Cheesecake Factory Incorporated | USA | 1978 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| Bloomin Brands | USA | 2000 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| California Pizza Kitchen Inc | USA | 1985 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Spur Corporation | South Africa | 1987 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Darden Restaurants | USA | 1996 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors

TGI Friday's
Owned by TGI Friday's, Inc.
American casual dining restaurant chain known for its lively atmosphere, American cuisine, and bar offerings.

The Cheesecake Factory
Owned by The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated
American casual dining restaurant chain known for extensive menu offerings and signature cheesecake desserts.

Bonefish Grill
Owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc.
American casual dining seafood and grill restaurant chain owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: BLMN), known for fresh seafood and wood-grilled preparations across approximately 200 locations in the United States.

California Pizza Kitchen
Owned by California Pizza Kitchen, Inc.
American casual dining restaurant chain known for innovative gourmet pizzas and California-inspired cuisine.

John Dory's
Owned by Spur Corporation Limited
South African seafood casual dining restaurant chain, owned by Spur Corporation Limited.

Yard House
Owned by Darden Restaurants Inc.
American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in American cuisine with extensive beer selection, owned by Darden Restaurants Inc.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Hooters competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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