Hooters files for bankruptcy

Hooters — the restaurant chain first known for its orange-clad, all-female wait staff and then its chicken wings — filed for bankruptcy, the company announced Monday. But the decades-old brand said it isn’t going anywhere.

Hooters — the restaurant chain first known for its orange-clad, all-female wait staff and then its chicken wings — filed for bankruptcy, the company announced Monday. But the decades-old brand said it isn’t going anywhere. In the bankruptcy process, the company plans to sell all of its 100 company-owned restaurants to two franchisee groups that operate Hooters locations in the Tampa, Florida, and Chicago areas. The combined group collectively operates a third of the US franchised-owned locations, according to the press release. Hooters joins other fast-casual restaurants, such as BurgerFi and Red Lobster, which filed for bankruptcy amid rough business conditions. The company’s workforce has also come under fire, with lawsuits ranging from racial discrimination to gender discrimination. Hooters closed dozens of restaurants last year, blaming rising food and labor costs. The company said it plans to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy in “approximately 90-120 days.” “Today’s announcement marks an important milestone in our efforts to reinforce Hooters’ financial foundation and continue delivering the guest-obsessed hospitality experience and delicious food our customers and communities have come to expect,” said Sal Melilli, chief executive officer of Hooters of America in the release. Hooters filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Texas court, a common route for struggling companies hoping to solve their financial problems through reorganization.