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Hooters Footprint Shrinks Further After Bankruptcy
9 Oct
Summary
- Hooters closed its last Jacksonville, Florida restaurant in October 2026.
- The chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025, emerging in late October 2025.
- At least 55 restaurants closed in 2026, with several states losing all locations.
Hooters has closed its last remaining restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida, marking the end of its presence in the city. This closure, occurring in October 2026, adds to a broader trend of contraction for the iconic chain.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2025, citing significant debt and rising operational costs. Hooters successfully emerged from bankruptcy in late October 2025, with a restructured business model.
This restructuring led to the closure of numerous corporate-owned locations across multiple states. In 2026 alone, at least 55 Hooters restaurants have been shuttered, including all remaining establishments in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Minnesota.
These ongoing closures signify a continued reduction in the chain's physical presence even after its financial reorganization. The Jacksonville location's permanent closure, initially temporarily shut due to health code violations, exemplifies this broader strategy of shrinking the brand's footprint nationwide.
