Hooters has closed a number of “underperforming” restaurant locations, the fast-casual chain confirmed to TODAY.com. News of the chain’s abrupt closures in markets from to to began spreading the evening of June 23, according to .
“Like many restaurants under pressure from current market conditions, Hooters has made the difficult decision to close a select number of underperforming stores,” Hooters tells TODAY.com in a statement. “Ensuring the well-being of our staff is our priority in these rare instances.
” The statement adds that new Hooters restaurants will be opening domestically and internationally, though it does not specify how many or where exactly. “This brand of 41 years remains highly resilient and relevant,” the statement continues. Though Hooters did not specify how many stores it’s closed, NBC affiliate WCSH that there are 41 locations across the country that can no longer be found that .
WCSH wrote that each location missing is now listed as “permanently closed” on Google and that social media accounts were also closed. The 41 locations are spread across 14 states, including Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and more. Texas has been the hardest hit, with 16 stores shuttering.
A whole host of once-booming chain restaurants — from to — have recently been facing difficulties. In January, TGI Fridays it closed 36 “underperforming” locations across the country. Then in March, Bloomin’ Brands, the group that owns Outback Stea.
