Is Hooters Still In Business | Closures Explained In 2026
Hooters has served wings and cold beer to sports fans for decades. That is why the recent wave of closures has left so many people worried.
The chain filed for bankruptcy in March 2025 with hundreds of millions in debt, and more of its restaurants have gone dark during 2026.
Yes, Hooters is still in business in 2026. It exited Chapter 11 in late October 2025, but it has closed dozens of restaurants and left several states completely.
Hooters’ own website says clearly that the brand is open and is here to stay. Its menu and rewards program have not changed either.
Still, the chain looks very different now, with new owners, fewer stores and a more family friendly image that returns to its roots.
Today, we will go through it all, so let’s dive in.
Quick Answer: Is Hooters Still In Business In 2026?
Hooters is still open, but it is a much smaller chain than it was before its bankruptcy.
| Question | Answer |
| Is Hooters still in business? | Yes, Hooters restaurants are still open in 2026 |
| When did Hooters file for bankruptcy? | March 2025, under Chapter 11 in Texas |
| How much debt did it have? | About $376 million |
| When did it exit bankruptcy? | Late October 2025 |
| How many locations closed in 2026? | At least 55, according to TheStreet |
| Which states have no Hooters left? | New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Minnesota |
These figures come from Hooters’ own website and from recent reporting by TheStreet, USA Today and the NY Post.
The bigger picture is a brand trying to survive by shrinking and going back to its roots.
Did Hooters File For Bankruptcy?
Yes. Hooters of America, LLC and 29 affiliated companies filed for Chapter 11 in March 2025, according to TheStreet.
The case went to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas.
USA Today reported that the chain had built up about $376 million in debt. The NY Post pointed to flat sales and inflation as key problems.
At the time of filing, Hooters had 305 restaurants. About 151 were company owned and 154 were run by franchisees.
The company also arranged $40 million in debtor in possession financing to keep its restaurants running during the case.
Who Owns Hooters Now?
Hooters planned to sell its 151 company owned restaurants to a buyer group that already ran about 30 of its U.S. locations.
One member of that group is Neil Kiefer, who also leads the original Hooters restaurant in Clearwater, Florida, according to USA Today.
The NY Post later reported that the founders bought back most of the chain in 2025 as part of the rescue.
TheStreet says Hooters emerged from Chapter 11 in late October 2025. Its remaining locations became franchisee owned as part of the restructuring.
How Many Hooters Locations Have Closed In 2026?
Hooters has kept shrinking even after it left bankruptcy.
Citing Usearch data, TheStreet reports that the chain closed at least 55 restaurants in 2026 alone.
That comes on top of about 30 corporate owned restaurants that closed after the 2025 filing, according to the NY Post.
In October 2026, the last Jacksonville, Florida location on San Jose Boulevard also closed. Hooters has not shared a public reason for it.
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Which States No Longer Have A Hooters?
Several states have now lost every Hooters they once had.
New York lost its last locations in 2026, including the Colonie restaurant on Wolf Road after 15 years, as the NY Post reported.
Massachusetts also lost its final restaurants in Dedham, Saugus and West Springfield.
Connecticut’s last Hooters in Wethersfield and Minnesota’s Mall of America location both closed in March 2026. Fans in those states now have to travel to find one.
Is Hooters Changing Its Uniforms And Menu?
The new leaders want to bring back the brand’s original 1980s beach bar feel.
According to the NY Post, that includes swapping today’s revealing outfits for the chain’s original and more modest server uniforms.
A company representative called the change a “reclamation of who we’ve always been.” It is part of a push toward a more family friendly image.
On the menu side, the official Hooters website says there are no changes to its products or to its HootClub Rewards program.
Is Hooters Going Out Of Business For Good?
No reliable source says Hooters is shutting down as a whole.
Its official website answers the question directly: “No. Hooters is here to stay.”
During the restructuring, CEO Neil Kiefer said all parties were focused on making the remaining 200 domestic locations as successful as possible, as quoted by TheStreet.
Closures have continued through 2026, so it is smart to check your local restaurant before you visit.
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Conclusion
Hooters is still in business in 2026, but it is a smaller chain than it used to be.
It filed for Chapter 11 in March 2025 with about $376 million in debt and came out in late October 2025.
At least 55 restaurants closed in 2026, and New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Minnesota no longer have one.
The brand is now leaning on its roots, with modest uniforms and a family friendly image. If you have a favorite location, check that it is still open before you go.
