Hooters Files for Bankruptcy but Dallas Restaurants to Remain Open
Despite Hooters’ recent filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Texas court this week, Dallas’ restaurants are expected to stay open.
The brand famous for its chicken wings and scantily-clad servers operates more than a dozen restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth: in Addison, Arlington, Cedar Hill, Denton, Fort Worth, Frisco, Garland, McKinney, Mesquite, Plano and more.
But Dallas’ first Hooters, which has been open in the West End since 1989, is currently closed. The restaurant is expected to reopen in 2025, the company confirmed on April 2, 2025.
What Happened to the West End Hooters?
What happened? The Dallas breastaurant on North Lamar Street suffered a fire on July 15, 2024, that took more than two hours to extinguish. Two firefighters were injured, according to a Dallas Fire-Rescue report. The restaurant has been temporarily closed since then, and the incident has been confirmed as an accident.
A cigarette butt outside the restaurant caused a fire in the wall.
Bankruptcy Filing and Its Impact
The company has seen a flurry of activity since the fire. Hooters of America filed for bankruptcy protection March 31, 2025. On the same day, Hooters of America announced two franchise companies agreed to buy more than 100 of the Hooters of America restaurants, in an effort to keep the restaurants in a business-as-usual state.
“Our renowned Hooters restaurants are here to stay,” said Hooters of America CEO Sal Melilli.
The bankruptcy filing comes after reports of declining foot traffic for the breastaurant company, Bloomberg reported. Increased costs of food and labor, plus “changing attitudes of consumers on dining out,” have plagued many restaurant chains, The Street explained.
Beyond Hooters’ bankruptcy filing, TGI Fridays, Red Lobster and Bar Louie have taken similar steps.
Hooters’ History in Dallas and Beyond
Hooters started more than 40 years ago in Clearwater, Fla. It busted into Dallas in the late 1980s. Its location near downtown Dallas has changed drastically in more than 35 years: The Hooters on North Lamar Street is neighbors with the Perot Museum, the forthcoming Goldman Sachs development and the American Airlines Center in Victory Park.
From the start, Hooters flirted with controversy in North Texas. Servers’ skimpy outfits were a topic of city council discussion as the company expanded in the region.
“Call us old-fashioned, call us conservative or call us square,” said Steve Tune, a town of Addison commission member said in a Dallas Morning News story in 1990. “In Addison, we want to maintain an image of a more sophisticated patron.”
He wasn’t successful. Hooters opened in Addison soon after.
The restaurants became popular enough that The News reviewed the West End and Addison restaurants jointly in 1991. The food earned a respectable 3-and-a-half stars out of 5.
The wings were “succulent,” and the waitresses were “sweet.”
Hooters in Addison remains open today. More to come on the expected reopening for the West End restaurant.
Hooters is temporarily closed at 2201 N. Lamar St., Dallas. More than a dozen Hooters restaurants remain open in other parts of Dallas-Fort Worth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, despite the bankruptcy filing, Hooters restaurants in Dallas are expected to remain open. The company has a long history in the city and has been a popular destination for food and entertainment. The temporary closure of the West End location is unfortunate, but the expected reopening in 2025 will likely bring back the loyal customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will Hooters restaurants in Dallas close due to bankruptcy?
A: No, despite the bankruptcy filing, Hooters restaurants in Dallas are expected to remain open.
Q: What happened to the West End Hooters location?
A: The West End Hooters location suffered a fire on July 15, 2024, and has been temporarily closed since then. It is expected to reopen in 2025.
Q: Why did Hooters file for bankruptcy?
A: Hooters filed for bankruptcy due to declining foot traffic, increased costs of food and labor, and changing attitudes of consumers on dining out.
Q: Are other Hooters locations affected by the bankruptcy filing?
A: Yes, the bankruptcy filing affects all Hooters locations, but the company has announced that two franchise companies will buy more than 100 of the Hooters of America restaurants to keep them in a business-as-usual state.
