Inside the rise and fall of Hooters: How the sports bar with scantily-clad servers became a surprise success before being engulfed in scandal and closing 40 failing restaurants The sports-style bar, which was founded in Florida, was dreamed up as a joke It celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023 but has recently shuttered restaurants Here, FEMAIL looks back at the history of Hooters and all of its controversies By Emily Lefroy For Dailymail.Com Published: 16:18 EDT, 30 June 2024 | Updated: 16:18 EDT, 30 June 2024 e-mail View comments From humble beginnings in Florida , Hooters is a now household name synonymous with hot wings, beer and, of course, the scantily-clad servers. The sports-style bar, which was founded in Clearwater in 1983, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2023 - but the eatery - dubbed 'breastauraunt' in the '90s - was initially dreamed up as a joke.
While it hit a peak in the aughts, the chain restaurant has taken a downward turn in the last few years - recently announcing the closure of 40 'underperforming' locations around the US in the last month. Conceived by the now-famous 'Hooters Six,' who had no restaurant experience between them and were even arrested for impersonating restaurateurs, Hooters has seen significant changes and achieved magnificent success. The founders included L.
D. Stewart, a painting contractor; Gil DiGiannantonio, a liquor salesman; Ranieri, known as Uncle Billy, a retired service station owner; Ed Droste, a real estate executive; Den.
