Hooters Shuts Down Last Jacksonville Location Amid Bankruptcy Restructuring

Hooters has closed its last restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida, after 40 years of operation. The closure of the San Jose Boulevard location, which opened in 1986, leaves the chain without a presence in the city and represents another significant contraction of its footprint.

The company confirmed the closure to Fox News Digital, but provided no further details. This shutdown follows a series of other recent closures, including a location in Panama City Beach, Florida, which closed in September after more than 30 years, and another in Hickory, North Carolina, which also ceased operations in late September.

Earlier in 2026, the Hooters in Boca Raton, Florida, closed its doors after 16 years when its lease was not renewed. That closure created a substantial gap along Florida's Atlantic coast, leaving approximately 150 miles between Hooters locations in Fort Lauderdale and West Melbourne.

These closures are occurring in the wake of Hooters of America filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2025. The company has undergone a significant restructuring aimed at reducing its operational footprint and returning to its franchise-focused origins. In June 2025, Hooters announced the closure of a "select number" of restaurants as part of this process.

The brand's new leadership has expressed a desire to re-emphasize the food and hospitality aspects of the Hooters experience, aiming to broaden its appeal to families and younger customers. This strategic shift follows a period where some corporate locations were perceived as having become overly sexualized.

Despite the closures and restructuring, Hooters has also seen some growth. The company opened a new location in The Villages, Florida, in July 2025, the first new restaurant since the bankruptcy filing. Another location is planned for Lutz, near Tampa. The company has stated that decisions to close restaurants are difficult but necessary as part of its ongoing strategy.

Other recent closures include the Hooters in Fayetteville, North Carolina, which closed in May 2026 after opening in 1994, and the Mall of America location in Minnesota, which shut down in March 2026 after 33 years in business.