This week, “original American wing joint” Hooters announced that it has signed a six-unit agreement with the brand’s original founders, Hooters Management Corporation (HMC). The deal comprises three new locations in Central Florida and another three here in Las Vegas.
“We’re still bullish on the brand,” HMC CEO Neil Kiefer told What Now on Thursday. “We’ve been doing this for forty years, and we’re having one of our best years this year.”
HMC founded the Hooters brand in Clearwater, Florida forty years ago, and it currently owns and operates 22 locations, eleven of which are in its home turf in the Greater Tampa Bay area; the other eleven are in Chicagoland. Hooters is a natural fit for Las Vegas, whose brandscape has included the Hooters Casino Hotel. Since renamed OYO Hotel & Casino, it continues to be home to Hooters Restaurant of Las Vegas.
Hooters Original Wings come with sauce and rub varieties like Honey BBQ, Honey Thai Chili Pepper, Daytona Beach (Spicy BBQ with a Floridian Heat), Caribbean Jerk Rub, and Paul Prudhomme’s Blackened Rub.
“We’re proud of our sauces, and we known our wings are craveable,” Kiefer said. “Hooters is a nice relaxing experience, a great place to unwind and enjoy some wings and a cold beer. We’ve done well with it, and we know how to deliver.”
The first new location is expected to open on the thriving Craig Road in North Las Vegas. Kiefer said HMC is hoping to break ground there within the next six months—and that, like the current location, Hooters North Las Vegas will make use of the brand’s gaming license.
