Hooters closing multiple locations nationwide: are endless shrimp to blame here, too?

Faster than an owl can turn its head 360 degrees, multiple Hooters locations nationwide will be closing as the chain’s management determines how best to save money. However, unlike Red Lobster, this has nothing to do with the chain offering endless shrimp.

The news was reported by CNN, who notes that per a spokesman for the organization, the chain locations are closing due to “current market conditions” and the ones that are closing are “underperforming stores.”

Though Hooters has not publicly announced which stores are closing, or where, at least five states have seen closures over the past few weeks, including Virginia, Rhode Island, Texas, Kentucky, and Florida.

This is just the latest fast-casual chain to begin closing locations, most notably Red Lobster which, in the interest of full disclosure, did not close because of endless shrimp, though they did lose millions of dollars on that deal. In fact, Red Lobster went bankrupt because of a hedge fund company that sold the land the restaurants were built on, and then rented it back to them. Which seems… Bad?

However, the bigger issue is that food costs are rising everywhere. Notably, fast food chains have begun offering value meal deals to stay relevant. But when it comes to fast casual dining chains like Hooters, a value menu can still be more money than one would like to spend on a casual night out.

I’ll also throw out there, and this is some personal speculation, Hooters – which is not owl-themed despite what the logo may tell you – isn’t a restaurant that’s really keeping up with the times. I’m not trying to shame anyone here, but going in for a plate of wings so you can gawk at your servers is an antiquated business model that was probably out of fashion when it opened in the height of the cocaine-fueled ‘80s in 1983 and is even less relevant now. Even if they had the best wings in the world, I’d be more likely to check out a non-gazongas-themed restaurant chain like Buffalo Wild Wings, just to save myself the embarrassment.

Obviously not everyone feels that way, and maybe you are pro-gawking. But regardless of your feelings on Hooters, uh, theming, I point it out as an extra level of difficulty the chain needs to get over in addition to the issues fast casual dining is already facing. Perhaps a rebrand to actually be owl themed might be in order?

Whatever Hooters does, though, it’s probably best not to dabble in endless shrimp.