Hooters gets its wings clipped amid financial struggles

Zain Johnson interviews Barbara Friedman about this and other trending news on the web.

Listen below (skip to 03:30).

Restaurants across America are balancing on a knife-edge.

Four years after enduring pandemic shutdowns, the industry remains in crisis, with the dining-out experience steadily declining.

The latest casualty is Hooters, which abruptly closed 40 locations.

Alongside other struggling chains like Red Lobster, Hooters cites escalating rent and food costs as primary culprits.

A wave of closures occurred over the weekend, affecting establishments in Florida, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia.

While Hooters faces financial challenges, it is not as dire as Red Lobster, which has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to reports.

Despite these setbacks, company executives maintain optimism, asserting that the 41-year-old brand is resilient and relevant. 

"It's where you have these slightly scantily-clad waitresses serving you, hence the name 'Hooters'."

- Barbara Friedman

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