History of Hooters in Timeline
Hooters is a registered trademark of two American restaurant chains: Hooters, Inc. (Clearwater, Florida) and Hooters of America, Inc. (Atlanta, Georgia), owned by Nord Bay Capital. The name is a double entendre, referencing both an American slang term for women's breasts and the restaurant's logo.
April 1, 1983: Hooters, Inc. incorporated
On April 1, 1983, Hooters, Inc. was incorporated in Clearwater, Florida, by six businessmen who initially thought the venture would fail.
December 1984: Change in ownership
In December 1984, Hugh Connerty bought the rights to Hooters from the Original Hooters 6 and later sold to Robert H. Brooks.
1986: Hooters calendar issued
Since 1986, Hooters has issued a calendar featuring Hooters Girls, with signings taking place in some of their restaurants.
1992: Hooters sponsors Alan Kulwicki's Winston Cup Championship win
In 1992, Hooters sponsored NASCAR driver Alan Kulwicki, who won the Winston Cup Championship.
April 1, 1993: Kulwicki and Mark Brooks killed in plane crash
On April 1, 1993, Alan Kulwicki and Mark Brooks, along with several others, were killed in a plane crash near Bristol, Tennessee, while traveling after a sponsor appearance.
June 1995: Class-action lawsuit filed against Hooters
In June 1995, Sam Nicholson filed a class-action lawsuit against Hooters of Augusta Inc. for sending unsolicited advertising faxes.
October 1996: Sara Steinhoff worked at Hooters
Between October 1996 and October 1997, Sara Steinhoff worked at the Hooters in Newport, Kentucky.
1996: Miss Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant established
Since 1996, Hooters has held the Miss Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant, a competition of Hooters Girls from around the world.
October 1997: Sara Steinhoff worked at Hooters
Between October 1996 and October 1997, Sara Steinhoff worked at the Hooters in Newport, Kentucky.
1997: Men sue Hooters for gender discrimination
In 1997, three men from the Chicago area sued Hooters after being denied employment and were awarded $19,100 each. Four men who filed a similar lawsuit in Maryland received $10,350 each.
2000: Hooters ordered to pay $275,000 in sexual harassment case
In 2000, a federal jury ordered Hooters to pay $275,000 to former waitress Sara Steinhoff, who claimed she was the target of unwanted sexual advances and demeaning behavior.
2001: Hooters pays $11 million in fax lawsuit
In 2001, Hooters of America Inc. paid out $11 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over unsolicited advertising faxes, with each plaintiff receiving $3,000.
2001: Waitress awarded "toy Yoda" instead of Toyota
In 2001, Jodee Berry, a waitress at a Hooters in Panama City Beach, Florida, was awarded a "toy Yoda" instead of the promised new Toyota automobile for winning a beer sales contest, leading to a lawsuit and settlement.
2002: Brooks gains majority control
In 2002, Robert H. Brooks bought majority control of Hooters and became chairman, expanding the brand to over 425 stores worldwide.
2003: Hooters ends initial NASCAR involvement
Hooters ended its initial involvement in NASCAR in 2003, after sponsoring drivers like Loy Allen Jr., Rick Mast and Brett Bodine.
2004: Secret filming incident at Hooters
In 2004, job applicants to a Hooters in West Covina, California, were secretly filmed while undressing, leading to a civil suit against the restaurant chain.
July 15, 2006: Robert H. Brooks' death
Robert H. Brooks, chairman of Hooters of America, died of a heart attack on July 15, 2006, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
October 2006: Publication of Hooters Employee Handbook
In October 2006, an older version of the Hooters Employee Handbook (prior to October 2006) was published in The Smoking Gun.
2006: Buyers show interest in Hooters
Following Robert Brooks' death in 2006, 240 buyers showed interest in Hooters of America Inc.
2007: Hooters supports breast cancer research after Kelly Jo Dowd's death
After the 2007 death of former Hooters Girl Kelly Jo Dowd, Hooters began a campaign in support of breast cancer research through the Kelly Jo Dowd Fund.
2007: Hooters returns to NASCAR
In 2007, Hooters returned to NASCAR to sponsor a Craftsman Truck Series team led by Jason White, Derrike Cope and Brad Keselowski.
February 13, 2008: Death of SOCS Thomas J. Valentine
SOCS Thomas J. Valentine, a Navy SEAL Senior Chief Petty Officer, was killed during a training exercise on February 13, 2008.
September 2009: EEOC files lawsuit against Hooters Air
In September 2009, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against a North Carolina charter airline (formerly Hooters Air) on behalf of Chau Nguyen, an Asian flight attendant fired after complaining only white workers were being promoted.
2009: Hooters partners with Operation Homefront
In 2009, Hooters partnered with Operation Homefront to establish The Valentine Fund in honor of fallen soldier SOCS Thomas J. Valentine to support US Special Forces and military families.
May 2010: Lawsuit filed against Hooters in Michigan
In May 2010, a lawsuit was filed against Hooters in Michigan after an employee was given a job performance review that mentioned her shirt and short size and was offered a free gym membership.
December 1, 2010: Sale blocked by Chanticleer Holdings LLC
On December 1, 2010, Chanticleer Holdings LLC blocked the sale of Hooters of America Inc. and later bought the company from the Brooks family.
2010: Hooters raises over $2 million for breast cancer research
By 2010, the Hooters chain had raised over $2 million for breast cancer research.
2010: NOW files complaint against Hooters
In 2010, the Orange County National Organization for Women (NOW) filed a complaint against Hooters for allegedly operating as a "legal bait and switch" by advertising as a family restaurant while relying on female sex appeal.
January 2011: Purchase of Hooters of America Inc. completed
In January 2011, Chanticleer and other investors completed the purchase of Hooters of America Inc. from the Brooks family.
2011: Hooters sues former executives
In 2011, Hooters filed suit against former executives who left to start the Twin Peaks franchise group, alleging theft of trade secrets and management documents.
2011: Hooters featured in video game Homefront
In 2011, Hooters was one of several real world brands that appeared in the video game Homefront.
2012: Hooters locations in 2012
In 2012, Hooters operated in 44 US states, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and 28 other countries and also operated Hooters Air, with a normal flight crew and scantily clad "Hooters Girls".
2012: Kisuk Cha sues Hooters for racial discrimination
In 2012, Kisuk Cha sued Hooters for racial discrimination after noticing a racial slur printed on a cash register receipt and the case was dismissed in 2013.
2012: Employee Jheri Stratton sues Hooters
In 2012, former employee Jheri Stratton filed suit after contracting tuberculosis from one of her managers.
2012: Hooters sponsors wing eating championship
Since 2012, Hooters has sponsored the Major League Eating-sanctioned "Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship".
July 2013: Hooters of America restaurant count in July 2013
As of July 2013, Hooters of America owned 160 restaurants and operated or franchised over 430 locations.
August 2013: Farryn Johnson Termination
In August 2013, Farryn Johnson was terminated from the Hooters in Baltimore, Maryland for having blonde highlights in her hair, leading to racial discrimination claims.
2013: Racial discrimination lawsuit dismissed
In 2013, the racial discrimination case against Hooters, filed in 2012, was dismissed.
April 2, 2015: Farryn Johnson awarded $250,000 in discrimination case
On April 2, 2015, former Hooters employee Farryn Johnson was awarded $250,000 after an arbitrator determined that racial discrimination contributed to her termination following an issue with her blonde hair highlights.
2016: Hooters global presence in 2016
As of 2016, Hooters had over 430 locations and franchises globally, with Hooters of America LLC owning 160 of these units.
2016: Hooters sponsors Greg Biffle at Darlington
For the 2016 Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, Hooters sponsored Greg Biffle with a one-off paint scheme in the Cup Series.
May 2017: Paul "PJ" Cagnina settlement
In May 2017, Paul "PJ" Cagnina, who alleged sexual harassment by a male boss while working at Hooters, obtained a settlement.
September 11, 2017: Jade Velez files sexual assault lawsuit against Hooters
On September 11, 2017, Jade Velez, a former Hooters waitress, filed a lawsuit against Hooters, alleging workplace sexual assault by a former kitchen employee.
2017: Hooters sponsors Chase Elliott
From 2017 to 2024, Hooters sponsored the No. 9 car of Chase Elliott in NASCAR.
2017: Launch of "Hoots" fast casual spinoff
In 2017, Hooters launched "Hoots," a fast casual spinoff with a reduced menu and modestly dressed male and female servers.
July 1, 2019: Hooters sold to new owners
On July 1, 2019, Hooters was sold to Nord Bay Capital and TriArtisan Capital Advisors.
July 16, 2019: Scott Peterson reaches settlement with Hooters in sexual harassment case
On July 16, 2019, Scott Peterson, who alleged sexual harassment by a male boss while working at Hooters, reached a settlement with the restaurant chain in Los Angeles Superior Court.
July 2020: Jade Velez lawsuit outcome pending
As of July 2020, the outcome of the lawsuit filed by Jade Velez against Hooters, alleging workplace sexual assault, was still pending.
June 2024: Hooters locations closed
In June 2024, Hooters closed approximately 40 underperforming locations, citing rising costs and declining sales.
August 22, 2024: Hendrick Motorsports to sue Hooters for unpaid fees
On August 22, 2024, Hendrick Motorsports of NASCAR announced it would sue Hooters for unpaid sponsorship fees.
2024: End of sponsorship with Chase Elliott
In 2024, Hooters' sponsorship of Chase Elliott's No. 9 car in NASCAR ended.
February 21, 2025: Hooters prepares for bankruptcy protection
On February 21, 2025, it was reported that Hooters was preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after closures in 2024 and revenue losses.
