Hooters has closed one South Florida restaurant, four in the state and dozens more across the country.
The Atlanta-based restaurant chain known for its wings and waitresses in low-cut tank tops has abruptly closed more than 40 poor-performing locations, according to reports. In Florida, it no longer lists its restaurants in West Palm Beach; Gainesville; Lakeland and Orange Park on its website.
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The West Palm Beach location that shuttered is located at 2020 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. Hooters appears to be keeping its nine locations throughout the tri-county area in Boca Raton; Doral; Hialeah; Pembroke Pines; Miami’s Coral Way; Weston; Fort Lauderdale’s Cypress Creek and Fort Lauderdale beach, according to its website.
In a statement provided to Nation’s Restaurant News, the company said, “Like many restaurants under pressure from current market conditions, Hooters has made the difficult decision to close a select number of underperforming stores. Ensuring the well-being of our staff is our priority in these rare instances.”
According to reports, the chain closed restaurants in 14 states.
“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. We look forward to continuing to serve our guests at home, on the go and at our restaurants here in the U.S. and around the globe,” the company told Nation’s Restaurant News.
Hooters isn’t the only nationwide chain that has been downsizing this year. Red Lobster recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which led to the closure of its Hialeah location and could result in six more shuttered South Florida restaurants.
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