Hooters Goes PG: Can a Family-Friendly Makeover Save It?

If you had a son in middle school, how would you feel about them asking to have their birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese . . . or Hooters?

If you haven’t been to a Hooters in years, you’re not alone.  They’ve been struggling to stay afloat.  According to reports, they’re about $300 million in debt, and last year, they closed about 40 locations in the U.S.

Now, they’re trying to attract more business by making a pivot to being more FAMILY-FRIENDLY.  They’re calling it a “re-Hooterization” . . . but it’s more like a “DE-Hooterization.”

You may not realize this, but Hooters (and their off-shoot Hoots Wings) have become increasingly family-friendly over the past decade . . . and have long had a solid kids menu.  But now, they’re going all in.

Ownership says it’s “depressing” to them that women would NOT want their families going to Hooters . . . even dads alone.

They didn’t say what exactly they’d be changing to make it more PG, or when . . . but it’s safe to say the skimpy outfits and “bikini nights” will be phased out.

They’re also looking to refresh their menu with fresher ingredients.

Last month, there were reports that Hooters was preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy . . . and that could result in more closings.  There are currently around 250 locations in the U.S.

(Men’s Journal / Bloomberg / The Atlantic)

It’ll be interesting to see if this makes Hooters more appealing . . . to ANYONE.  No matter what they do, it’s going to be hard to overcome the stigma of Hooters . . .

And the existing, loyal customers are probably NOT interested in it becoming more PG . . . packed with kids . . . and healthier.