Hooters hit by inflation, forced to close 40 locations across US
Hooters abruptly shut down around 40 locations across the US due to poor financial performance.
Benzinga – News
- Hooters suddenly closed two Michigan locations June 4, leaving just one open in the state.
- The restaurant chain has faced financial struggles, filing for bankruptcy in March 2025.
Hooters is near the end of an era in Michigan — abrupt closures this week have left just one location open in the state.
The sports bar and grill chain closed more than 30 locations across multiple states Wednesday, June 4, including two in Michigan, USA TODAY reported. The restaurants in Flint and Taylor were among the closings. A Saginaw location is Michigan’s last one remaining restaurant.
The move comes several months after the restaurant chain filed for bankruptcy in late March 2025, though it had said no locations would close at the time.
Here’s what to know.
Which Michigan Hooters restaurants closed?
In Michigan, the Flint and Taylor Hooters closed June 4, USA TODAY reported, leaving just one Hooters location open in the state.
The restaurant chain, known for its chicken wings and servers wearing orange shorts and low-cut tank tops, began in 1983 and expanded to 29 countries before its decline, closing numerous locations in recent years.
Where else did Hooters close?
The following Hooters in other states also closed, per USA TODAY:
- Sanford, Florida
- Orlando, Florida – Kirkman Road
- Kissimmee, Florida – Osceola Parkway
- Melbourne, Florida
- Atlanta, Georgia – Downtown
- Douglasville, Georgia
- Gwinnett, Georgia
- Valdosta, Georgia
- Greenwood, Indiana
- Rockford, Illinois
- Newport, Kentucky
- St. Louis, Missouri – Downtown
- Charlotte, North Carolina – South Boulevard
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Rock Hill, South Carolina
- Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- Memphis, Tennessee – Downtown
- Nashville, Tennessee – Harding Place
- Grapevine, Texas
- Houston, Texas
- San Marcos, Texas
Why did the locations close?
Hooters said in a statement to USA TODAY that the closed stores were company owned and called the closures a “difficult decision.”
“Hooters will be well-positioned to continue our iconic legacy under a pure franchise business model,” the company said. “We are committed to supporting our impacted team members throughout this process and are incredibly grateful to our valued customers for their loyalty and dedication to the Hooters brand.”
The company did not respond to a followup inquiry on a list of closed locations or when employees were notified of the closures.
How many restaurants did Hooters have?
There were 305 Hooters locations, including 151 owned and operated by the company itself and a separate 154 operated by franchisees. The company has been closing locations suddenly since at least 2024.
What’s happening at Hooters?
The company filed for bankruptcy in late March 2025 amid financial challenges. The Atlanta-based restaurant chain was then $376 million in debt and looking to sell 151 of its corporate-owned restaurants to a buyer group comprised of two existing Hooters franchises.
At the time, no locations were expected to close and Hooters said it would “continue providing customers with the guest-obsessed hospitality experience and delicious food they have come to expect over the past 40 years.”
Are any Michigan Hooters still open?
The closures leave one Hooters open in Michigan, at 5538 Bay Road in Saginaw.
USA TODAY contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
