Hooters is closing one of its most popular locations after 20 years, leaving it with just one location left in the state.
After 20 years, the popular chain is closing its Manchester location, leaving just one location left in Connecticut.
“After nearly 20 years of serving hot wings, cold beer and great memories, Manchester Hooters has made the difficult decision to close its doors,” the restaurant announced on social media.
“We thank you for your patronage and loyalty over the years,” it added.
The final remaining Connecticut location will be in Wethersfield, but Manchester employees will be transferred to a restaurant in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
Hooters to close Manchester restaurant after 20 years
The chain announced the sudden closure of 40 stores nationwide last month.
These included locations in Florida, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia.
Local customers reacted to the closure, commenting on the store's Facebook post.
“Thank you for so many memories!” one customer wrote.
“Oh what amazing memories – seeing the WWE PPVs, The Wings and of course those beautiful Hooters Girls!” another added.
Despite the closures, executives insisted the 41-year-old brand “remains very resilient and relevant,” and highlighted Hooters' new range of frozen meals sold in supermarkets across the US.
“Like many restaurants feeling the pressures of the current market environment, Hooters has made the difficult decision to close some underperforming locations,” a spokesperson told DailyMail.com.
“We look forward to continuing to serve our customers at home, on the go and in our restaurants across the U.S. and around the world.”
After the closures, Hooters will have about 300 locations worldwide, down from 333 in 2018, according to Technomic.
Hooters is not only known for its scantily clad waitresses, but also calls itself the “Original American Wing Joint” and celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2023.
The company opened three restaurants in Las Vegas and three in Florida just last May.
The first Hooters opened in Clearwater, Florida in 1983. The eatery, called “Breast Aunt” in the '90s, was originally conceived as a joke.
The brainchild of the now-famous “Hooters Six,” none of whose members had any restaurant experience and who were once arrested for impersonating restaurateurs, Hooters underwent major innovations and became a huge success.
Hooters recently closed about 40 locations.
The first Hooters opened in Clearwater, Florida in 1983.
Conceived by the now-famous “Hooters Six,” who had no restaurant experience and were once arrested for impersonating restaurateurs, Hooters has undergone major changes.
The sports-style bar (pictured) founded in Clearwater in 1983 celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2023, but the eatery was originally conceived as a joke.
Founders included LD Stewart, a painting contractor, Gil DiGiannantonio, a liquor salesman, Ranieri, a retired gas station owner known as “Uncle Billy,” Ed Droste, a real estate executive, Dennis Johnson, a bricklayer by trade, and Ken Wimmer, a partner in the LD Strange Group painting business.
And while the six were excited about their business, they didn't expect the eatery to last.
As Hooters' popularity exploded, an institution was born: calendars, casinos, airlines, NASCAR races and even grocery store products were named after it.
But the chain's success hasn't come without controversy, including sexism in the 1990s, studies into servers' mental health, and complaints about skimpy uniforms.
