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Hooters

Hooters is a U.S.-based restaurant chain best known for chicken wings, sports-bar food, and its branded service style.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Hooters is a U.S.-based restaurant chain best known for chicken wings, sports-bar food, and its branded service style. The company began in Clearwater, Florida, in 1983 and later expanded into a large international franchise network. It has also been the subject of recurring debate over its branding and workplace culture.

History

Hooters was founded in Clearwater, Florida, in 1983 by six local businessmen. The first restaurant opened later that year, and the brand expanded through a combination of company-owned and franchised locations.

Hooters is known for a sports-bar style menu that includes chicken wings and other casual American dishes. Sources also describe the chain as focusing on beer and standard bar fare.

Locations and operations

Hooters has operated in the United States and internationally, with reported totals ranging from about 420 to 460 locations depending on the source and date. Corporate ownership is split among private entities, including Hooters, Inc. and Hooters of America.

Controversy

The chain has been controversial because its branding and service model rely on sexualized imagery and an all-female server presentation. This has made Hooters a frequent subject of criticism in discussions of workplace culture and gender representation.

Key facts

  • Hooters was founded in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida, by six businessmen with no prior restaurant experience.
  • The chain’s menu is centered on wings and other casual American bar foods.
  • Hooters has faced criticism and controversy over its sexualized branding and employment practices.
  • Reported location counts vary by source and date, reflecting closures, franchising, and corporate restructuring.
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Canadian context

Hooters has operated internationally, so Canadian readers may encounter the brand abroad or in discussions of global casual-dining chains. No Canadian locations are confirmed in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hooters?
Hooters is an American casual-dining restaurant chain best known for chicken wings, beer, and sports-bar fare.
What is on the Hooters menu?
The menu is centered on wings and other casual American bar foods, with beer and standard sports-bar items also commonly noted in descriptions of the chain.
Where are Hooters located?
Hooters has locations in the United States and in multiple other countries. Reported totals vary by source, but current descriptions place the chain at roughly 420 to 460 restaurants worldwide.
Who founded Hooters?
Hooters was founded in 1983 by six Clearwater, Florida businessmen.
Why is Hooters controversial?
Hooters is controversial because its brand and service style are widely seen as sexualized, and critics have questioned its workplace culture and gender presentation.
How many Hooters restaurants are there?
The number depends on the source and date. Recent sources describe about 420 to 460 Hooters locations worldwide.

References

  1. Fox News — https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/surprising-facts-about-hooters
    Supports: Founding by six Clearwater businessmen; ownership split; about 460 locations in 25 countries.
  2. Fox News — https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/history-hooters-5-facts-you-likely-never-knew-about-restaurant-chain
    Supports: Original Clearwater location; Hooters Inc. operating original and nearby locations.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooters
    Supports: General overview; corporate structure; location counts; controversy and trademark description.
  4. Hooters — https://www.hooters.com/about/history/
    Supports: Official history; founded in 1983 in Clearwater; more than 420 restaurants in 29 countries; franchising and operations.
  5. Wikipedia (German) — https://www.de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooters
    Supports: Menu description; worldwide chain context; controversy around service style.