Hooters CEO Addresses Restaurant Closures Amidst Ownership Changes
The CEO of Hooters Inc. states that recent store closures are not indicative of a decline in brand appeal, but rather a part of the company's restructuring following its 2025 bankruptcy and the original founders' reclamation of the brand.
Hooters restaurants are continuing to close across the United States, including several long-standing locations in Florida. However, Neil Kiefer, CEO of Florida-based Hooters Inc., asserted that these closures do not signal a loss of appeal for the brand. Instead, he explained that the closures are a consequence of the company's rebuilding efforts after its original founders regained control following a 2025 bankruptcy filing.
"The number of stores will go up and down, but the longevity of our commitment will not," Kiefer told Fox News Digital. "These store closures are not an indication of brand strength."
His comments follow reports of several recent closures. The last Hooters in Jacksonville, Florida, shuttered its doors in October, ending a 40-year presence in the city. This closure came after the September shutdown of a Hooters in Panama City Beach, which had operated for over three decades. Another Florida location in Boca Raton closed earlier this year after its landlord did not renew the lease.
Kiefer emphasized that these closures should be understood within the context of the company's recent ownership transitions. "In March 2025, Hooters of America filed for bankruptcy," he stated. He clarified that Hooters of America was a distinct corporate entity from the original founders who established the brand in Clearwater, Florida, in 1983. "The original founders saw an opportunity to step in and reclaim their brand, integrity, and legacy. Since these acquisitions, we’ve learned some stores were in various stages of need."
The company is currently focused on reinventing itself, with a renewed emphasis on food quality, hospitality, and attracting families. Kiefer has previously indicated that the brand had become overly sexualized under previous corporate leadership and that the goal is to restore its original identity. This strategy includes opening new locations, such as one in The Villages, Florida, in July 2025, with another planned for Lutz, near Tampa. The Villages location has reportedly gained popularity among retirees, indicating an effort to broaden the brand's customer base.
Despite the recent closures in Florida, Kiefer reiterated the company's dedication to its community and staff. "Instead, we are concentrating our efforts on what has always made us successful: our community, our staff, our food and our unshakeable dedication to all three."