The Rise And Fall Of Hooters

Video Description

For more than four decades, Hooters has been one of America's most recognizable restaurant chains, famous for its wings, "delightfully tacky" atmosphere, and all-female waitstaff. By the mid-2000s, the chain had its own airline, casino, and calendar, and it operated hundreds of locations around the world. But what most people don't realize is that, from almost the beginning, Hooters wasn't one company — it was two. And in 2025, the larger of the two filed for bankruptcy after years of declining sales. Now, the original founders are stepping in to revive the brand and return it to its roots. Their goal is to restore the menu, uniforms, and atmosphere that defined Hooters from the start. We visited the flagship Hooters in Clearwater, Florida, and spoke with people who’ve been with the brand since the beginning, including the founders and the original Hooters Girl, Lynne Austin. So can the founders save the brand, and can Hooters make a comeback? 00:00 - Intro 01:08 - The Origin Story 02:12 - The Original Hooters Girl 02:52 - Early Branding and Marketing 03:49 - Rapid Expansion 06:04 - The Wings 06:40 - Hooters Goes Mainstream 07:18 - Backlash and Breastaurants 10:13 - The Airline and Casino Era 11:40 - The Recession, Competition, and Private Equity 12:49 - HOA Brand Changes 14:11 - Being a Hooters Girl 14:54 - The Image Policy 16:02 - The Road to Bankruptcy 19:13 - Reclaiming the Brand 20:54 - Credits Also read "Hooters is getting a 're-Hooterization' as its founders retake control of the restaurant chain": https://bit.ly/3KY1nje ------------------------------------------------------ #Hooters #bankruptcy #riseandfall #brands #bigbusiness MORE BIG BUSINESS VIDEOS: Where NYC's Breakfast Carts Get Ingredients https://youtu.be/Q-8nM3ydZw4 Why Nepal Grows Japan’s Cash https://youtu.be/hXYa4-yXp4s How Pistachio Farmers Built A Billion-Dollar Empire During California Droughts https://youtu.be/GOPr7N6BDxA Business Insider tells you all you need to know about business, finance, tech, retail, and more. Visit our homepage for the top stories of the day: https://www.businessinsider.com Business Insider on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/businessinsider Business Insider on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessinsider Business Insider on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/businessinsider Business Insider on Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/discover/Business_Insider/5319643143 Business Insider on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessinsider The Rise And Fall Of Hooters | Big Business | Business Insider