History of Hooters in Timeline

Hooters is an international restaurant chain based in Clearwater, Florida. The name is a double entendre, referencing both an American slang term for women's breasts and the restaurant's logo. The chain is known for its predominantly female waitstaff, often referred to as "Hooters Girls," and its casual dining atmosphere.

April 1, 1983: Hooters, Inc. Incorporation

On April 1, 1983, Hooters, Inc., was incorporated in Clearwater, Florida, by six businessmen who jokingly chose April Fool's Day as the date.

October 4, 1983: First Hooters Restaurant Opens

On October 4, 1983, the first Hooters restaurant opened its doors in Clearwater, Florida, decorated with memorabilia from Waverly, Iowa.

December 1984: Hugh Connerty Buys Rights to Hooters

In December 1984, Hugh Connerty bought the rights to Hooters from the original six owners. Later, Robert H. Brooks and Atlanta investors acquired the rights from Connerty.

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 NASCAR Champion

In 1992, Hooters sponsored NASCAR driver Alan Kulwicki as he won the Winston Cup Championship.

April 1, 1993: Alan Kulwicki Dies 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.

June 1995: Class-Action Lawsuit Filed Against Hooters

In June 1995, Sam Nicholson brought a class-action lawsuit against Hooters of Augusta Inc. for sending unsolicited advertising faxes.

October 1996: Sara Steinhoff's Employment at Hooters

Sara Steinhoff worked at the Hooters in Newport, Kentucky, between October 1996 and October 1997.

1996: First Miss Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant

Since 1996, Hooters has held the Miss Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant, a competition of Hooters Girls from around the world.

October 1997: Sara Steinhoff's Employment at Hooters

Sara Steinhoff worked at the Hooters in Newport, Kentucky, between October 1996 and October 1997.

1997: Lawsuit Over Denied Employment

In 1997, three men from the Chicago area sued Hooters after being denied employment and were each awarded $19,100. The settlement allowed Hooters to continue gender-restricted hiring for wait staff but required the creation of gender-neutral support jobs.

2000: Federal Jury Orders Hooters to Pay Settlement

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 during her employment.

2001: Jodee Berry "Toy Yoda" Incident

In 2001, Jodee Berry, a waitress at a Hooters in Panama City Beach, Florida, won a beer sales contest but was awarded a "toy Yoda" instead of the promised new Toyota automobile, leading to a lawsuit and settlement.

2001: Hooters Fined for Sending Unsolicited Faxes

In 2001, a jury determined Hooters of Augusta Inc. willfully violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act by sending unsolicited advertising faxes, resulting in an $11 million payout.

2002: Brooks Gains Majority Control of Hooters

In 2002, Robert H. Brooks bought majority control of Hooters and became chairman, with the Clearwater-based company retaining control over certain restaurants and rights while the rest fell under Hooters of America.

2003: End of Initial NASCAR Involvement

Hooters ended their initial involvement in NASCAR in 2003 after sponsoring various drivers.

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 and additional employee training by the company.

February 2, 2006: Hooters Casino Hotel Opens

On February 2, 2006, the Hooters Casino Hotel opened off the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, adjacent to the Tropicana.

July 15, 2006: Robert H. Brooks's Death

Robert H. Brooks, chairman of Hooters of America, died of a heart attack on July 15, 2006, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, leaving the majority of the company to his son and daughter.

October 2006: Hooters Employee Handbook Publication

An older version of the Hooters Employee Handbook (prior to October 2006) was published in The Smoking Gun.

2006: Buyers interested in Hooters of America Inc.

After Brooks's death in 2006, 240 buyers showed interest in Hooters of America Inc., and 17 submitted bids, with that number being reduced to eight, and then three, before the selection of Wellspring Capital Management.

2007: Campaign in Support of Breast Cancer Research Began

After the 2007 death of Kelly Jo Dowd, Hooters began a campaign in support of breast cancer research, with awareness of the issue being spread 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 Thomas J. Valentine

Thomas J. Valentine, a Navy SEAL Senior Chief Petty Officer, was killed during a training exercise February 13, 2008.

September 2009: EEOC 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 of discriminatory promotion practices.

2009: The Valentine Fund Established

In 2009, Hooters partnered with Operation Homefront to establish The Valentine Fund in honor of fallen soldier SOCS Thomas J. Valentine to support military families.

2009: Hooters Sales Decline

Overall sales at Hooters of America shrank from $1.2 billion in 2009 to $678 million in 2024.

May 2010: Lawsuit Filed Over Employee Performance Review

In May 2010, Hooters faced a lawsuit in Michigan after an employee received a job performance review suggesting improvement in her shirt and short size. The plaintiff claimed she was offered a free gym membership with a threat of termination if she didn't improve within 30 days. The company denied the threat, and the suit was settled out of court.

December 1, 2010: Chanticleer Holdings Blocks Sale

On December 1, 2010, Chanticleer Holdings LLC blocked the sale of Hooters of America Inc. after a $5 million loan made in 2006.

2010: Chain Raised Over $2 Million for Breast Cancer Research

By 2010, the Hooters chain had raised over $2 million for breast cancer research. One dollar of each calendar sold goes for breast cancer research.

2010: First African-American Woman Wins Miss Hooters Pageant

In 2010, LeAngela Davis of Columbus, Ohio, became the first African-American woman to win the Miss Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant.

2010: NOW Complaint Against Hooters

In 2010, the Orange County National Organization for Women (NOW) and other California chapters filed a complaint against Hooters, criticizing their advertising as a "family restaurant" while relying on female sex appeal in hiring.

January 2011: Chanticleer and Investors Buy Hooters

In January 2011, Chanticleer Holdings and other investors completed the purchase of Hooters of America from the Brooks family.

2011: Hooters Executives Leave to Start Twin Peaks, Lawsuit Filed

In 2011, Hooters filed a lawsuit alleging that former executives stole trade secrets and management documents when they left to start the Twin Peaks franchise group.

2011: Hooters Brand in Video Game Homefront

In 2011, Hooters was one of several real world brands that appeared in the video game Homefront.

2012: Hooters US Expansion

In 2012, Hooters had locations in 44 US states, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, and 28 other countries, along with its airline, Hooters Air, which featured "Hooters Girls" on every flight.

2012: Lawsuit Filed Over Racial Slur on Receipt

In 2012, Kisuk Cha, a Korean American immigrant, sued Hooters for racial discrimination after a hostess printed a racial slur on his takeout receipt at a Queens, New York location. The hostess confessed and resigned.

2012: Employee Files Suit After Contracting Tuberculosis

In 2012, a former employee, Jheri Stratton, filed a lawsuit against Hooters 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

As of July 2013, Hooters of America owned 160 restaurants and operated or franchised over 430.

August 2013: Farryn Johnson Terminated for Blonde Highlights

In August 2013, Farryn Johnson was terminated from her job at Hooters in Baltimore, Maryland after her manager told her she could not have blonde highlights in her hair. She later filed a civil rights complaint.

2013: Racial Slur Lawsuit Dismissed

In 2013, the lawsuit filed in 2012 by Kisuk Cha against Hooters for racial discrimination 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 found that racial discrimination contributed to her termination in August 2013 for having blonde highlights. Hooters of America stated they will continue to diversify its employees.

2016: Hooters Global Presence

As of 2016, Hooters had over 430 locations and franchises worldwide, with Hooters of America LLC owning 160 of these units.

2016: Hooters Comeback in Cup Series

For the 2016 Bojangles' Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, Hooters made a comeback in the Cup Series with a one-off paint scheme for Greg Biffle.

May 2017: Paul "PJ" Cagnina Obtains Settlement in Harassment Case

In May 2017, Paul "PJ" Cagnina obtained a settlement in his case alleging sexual harassment by a male boss while working for Hooters.

September 11, 2017: Jade Velez Files Lawsuit Alleging Workplace Sexual Assault

On September 11, 2017, Jade Velez, a former Hooters waitress in the Philadelphia area, filed a lawsuit against Hooters alleging workplace sexual assault by a former kitchen employee. The suit named the employee, managers, and Hooters of America as defendants.

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 a fast casual spinoff called "Hoots" with a reduced menu and modestly dressed male and female servers.

July 1, 2019: Hooters of America Sold

On July 1, 2019, Hooters of America was sold to Nord Bay Capital and TriArtisan Capital Advisors.

July 16, 2019: Scott Peterson Reaches Settlement with Hooters

On July 16, 2019, Scott Peterson, who alleged sexual harassment by a male boss while working for Hooters, reached a settlement with the restaurant chain in the Los Angeles Superior Court. The terms were not revealed.

2019: Hooters Casino Hotel Renamed

In 2019, the Hooters Casino Hotel became the Oyo Hotel & Casino.

July 2020: Outcome of Jade Velez Case Still Pending

As of July 2020, the outcome of the lawsuit filed on September 11, 2017, by Jade Velez against Hooters alleging workplace sexual assault was still pending.

June 2024: Hooters of America Closes Locations

In June 2024, Hooters of America closed approximately 40 underperforming locations, citing rising costs and declining sales.

August 22, 2024: Hendrick Motorsports to Sue Hooters for $1.705 Million

On August 22, 2024, Hendrick Motorsports of NASCAR announced they would sue Hooters for $1.705 million plus unpaid sponsorship fees.

October 22, 2024: Hooters Settles EEOC Claim of Racial Discrimination

On October 22, 2024, Hooters of America settled a claim from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that black employees were not recalled back to work after the COVID-19 pandemic at the same levels as white employees. Hooters paid $250,000 and agreed to not use standards that allow for use of color or race.

2024: Hooters Sponsors Chase Elliott

From 2017 to 2024, Hooters sponsored the No. 9 car of Chase Elliott in NASCAR.

February 21, 2025: Hooters of America Prepares for Bankruptcy

On February 21, 2025, reports indicated that Hooters of America was preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the coming months after prior closures in 2024 and revenue losses.

March 21, 2025: Hooters Agrees to Pay $900K to Hendrick Motorsports

On March 21, 2025, it was reported that Hooters agreed to pay $900,000 to Hendrick Motorsports to settle the lawsuit.

March 31, 2025: Hooters of America Files for Bankruptcy

On March 31, 2025, Hooters of America, Inc. announced that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

June 4, 2025: Hooters Locations Permanently Closed

By June 4, 2025, over 30 Hooters locations in 12 states permanently closed.

October 2025: Clearwater Company Purchases Hooters Out of Bankruptcy

In October 2025, the Clearwater-based company, along with franchisees, purchased the Atlanta-based company out of bankruptcy, planning to "de-sexualize" the Hooters image.