Independent – Another major U.S. restaurant chain appears to be headed toward bankruptcy.
Hooters of America is reportedly working with its creditors on restructuring its business via bankruptcy, according to a new report in Bloomberg.
According to the report — which cites sources with knowledge of the proceedings — Hooters is working with the Ropes & Gray law firm to prepare a filing.
The plans are reportedly not final, but if they do come to fruition the court portion of the bankruptcy would likely begin in the next few months.
I never understand how bankruptcy impacts restaurants opening or closing. I feel like this happens pretty frequently only for a new investor or new company to emerge behind the scenes and nothing changes for the consumer. Like Red Lobster – I think that place has opened and closed approximately 57 times since opening it’s location at 95th and Southwest Highway. And no matter how many bankruptcies, you can still get cheddar bacon biscuits by the truckload.
Makes me wonder. Is this one of those cases with Hooters? Are we just reorganizing a debt load or restructuring some financial covenants? Or are we full on shutting down all future Daytona wings because that’s basically my biggest nightmare. I would legitimately rather be dead then live one day in this world without the Downers Grove Hooters.
Hooters is my north star. Wherever, whenever, it’s there and reliable. And given the amount of traveling I’ve had to do for work in my life, I can promise you this is a deeply personal connection. Traveling solo for 9 months to Central Illinois to audit data privacy practices? There’s a Hooters for that.
Are you in Council Bluffs, Iowa for two weeks on lockdown in a riverboat casino hotel to do an hour of daily radio for Barstool Sports? There’s a Hooters for that and the ladies are stacked in that part of the country.
Miami. Hooters. Austin. Hooters. New York City.
Hooters.
Hooters. Hooters. Hooters.
Obviously th
- Atmosphere/Vibe – girls aside, they have great bar service and 22 ounce mugs with frothy pours. I like the laminated bar top feel because the beer is going to spill over the thick rim. Also, thick handle on the beer mugs and I like that they’re ice cold. They always have TV’s going and typically that includes game audio if it’s even a somewhat-notable game. Friendly service too which lends itself to friendly clientele. There’s so many nice and friendly people hanging around a Hooters bar. If you’re traveling alone for work and you’re like me and crave human interaction, I love going to a Hooters and making small talk with those around me because you generally run into some great dudes. It’s like a sportsbook from that perspective. By virtue of being there, you’re going to meet some good people.
- I didn’t say you need to ask these guys to stand up in your wedding. I’m just saying it’s a good atmosphere.
- Buffalo Chicken Shrimp is the #1 menu item and it’s not close. The texture and flavor is top notch. The ranch coats perfectly over the golden battered delicacy. I love sucking the meat out and always leave a plate of bone dry shells. I know they’re famous for wings and I love those wings very much. But pound for pound I would rank Buffalo Shrimp #1 and I don’t know if there’s anything close for #2.
- Dayton Wings are slightly overrated but that’s just because I think a traditional bone-in is UNDERRATED. I also think Hooters goes lighter on the heat in their sauce so that your scale plays more hot. Typically I would prefer a medium sauce but at Hooters I think a traditional medium is closer to spicy garlic. And for the record I am completely fine with the 3 mile island, which only grows my confidence and strength in masculinity.
- Great locations in Chicago. Some of the best and easiest spots to meet up with people on the north and west suburbs. O’Hare one lacks quality but it’s so centrally located off 90 that you have to take the trade off. It’s also a place that prioritizes the parking lot. I feel like it’s always crowded but there’s a lot of good spots available. Like watching a baseball game in Philadelphia, there really is no such thing as a bad seat in the house if that makes sense.
- Hooters
- Curly fry
- The large plastic cups for soda with a combo of crushed and regular ice. I don’t think anyone talks about that but they have some of the best cola/ice proportions this side of the Mason-Dixon.
- I like the fiberglass plates and the traditional fry basket
- Not a bad burger if we’re being honest. Some of the best tomatoes and lettuce I think you can get at a fast casual national chain sportsbar. Chilis does shredded lettuce and that’s nice. But Hooters gives you one of those Jurassic Park leaves of romaine and it’s big enough to double as a blanket if you’re a little chilly. And we like that a lot.
There’s a bunch of other things I like about Hooters. Right now none of that matters because I’m overcome with sadness that these things might not exist in the future.
So let me make this clear.
If you reading this are in charge of the financial re-organization, and you guys run out of options on leadership because it’s a doomed franchise, please consider me as a last option. I will be your secret weapon. I will be your champion. I will bring this company back from the dead for no other reasons than duty, honor and integrity.
Orland Hooters was the best. Take my kid out for Guys Night either to the one in Aurora or near Oakbrook