Hooters closed dozens of ‘underperforming stores’ across US. What about California?

Brianna Taylor
·3 min read
1

Hooters is the latest restaurant chain to shut locations across the United States, and people are wondering if California sites were affected.

The Atlanta-based restaurant chain silently cut the lights to roughly 40 locations across the U.S. partially due to high costs, first reported on Monday by Nation’s Restaurant News.

“Like many restaurants under pressure from current market conditions, Hooters has made the difficult decision to close a select number of underperforming stores,” Hooters said, according to local reports. “Ensuring the well-being of our staff is our priority in these rare instances.”

The chicken wing franchise did not release a list of closed locations, but according to local reports, several locations have closed in the following states:

  • Florida

  • Kentucky

  • Rhode Island

  • Texas

  • Virginia

As of Tuesday morning, Hooters representatives were not available for comment.

Hooters has locations across the globe including sites in Brazil, China and Germany.

Will Hooters close its California restaurants?

It’s unclear.

As of Tuesday afternoon, all seven Hooter locations in California were open, according to its site:

  • 1507 S. Coast Drive, Costa Mesa

  • 90 Aquarium Way, Long Beach

  • 1400 Camino De La Reina, Suite 115, San Diego

  • 725 N. Milliken Ave., Ontario (to-go operation only)

  • 6099 Redwood Drive, Rohnert Park

  • 775 Center Drive, San Marcos

  • 8730 Garfield Ave., South Gate

All but two locations operate from 11 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

The chain’s Long Beach and Rohnert Park sites are open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

A Hooters waitress displays a plate of chicken wings. The restaurant is holding its annual Shred Your Ex promotion on Valentine’s Day.
A Hooters waitress displays a plate of chicken wings. The restaurant is holding its annual Shred Your Ex promotion on Valentine’s Day.

What is Hooters? What’s on the menu?

Hooters describes itself as the “happiest accident in restaurant history,” according to its site.

Known for its finger food and servers in micro shorts and low-cut shirts, the Atlanta-based restaurant chain was founded in the 1980s by six businessmen with no industry experience, the site said.

The team aimed to create a space “they couldn’t get kicked out of” with cold beer and wall-to-wall television screens.

The menu at Hooters ranges from chicken wings and burgers to crab legs and salads.

Also on the menu are sandwiches, tacos, nachos and fried pickles.

Dessert options include chocolate mouse cake, key lime pie and caramel fudge cheesecake.

Does Hooters have a Sacramento-area location?

The greater Sacramento area hasn’t had a Hooters site for several years.

Hooters shut a location near Arden Fair mall at the end of 2016, and closed a Rancho Cordova site in 2017.

About four years later, Hooters closed its last standing location in the region, in North Natomas.

Restaurant chains struggle as menu prices rise

The Hooter closures come as national restaurant chains are struggling to find their financial footing in the wake of California’s minimum wage increase and other challenges.

Menu prices increased by 4% over the past year, between May 2023 and May 2024, according to the National Restaurant Association.

During that time, grocery store prices remained consistent following a slight decline in April.

Hooters joins a list of several restaurant chains that have abruptly closed locations across the nation due to financial constraints including Red Lobster, Cracker Barrel, Rubio’s Coastal Grill and Outback Steakhouse.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.