Don’t look at me. Tell it to Wikipedia, because this is a real, if annoying, word.
A breastaurant is a restaurant that requires female waiting staff to be skimpily-dressed. The term dates from the early 1990s, after restaurant chain Hooters opened in the United States. The format has since been adopted by other restaurants, including Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, Twin Peaks, Ojos Locos, Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill, The WingHouse Bar & Grill, Redneck Heaven and Bombshells Bar & Grill.
Frankly, I’m doing this for the header. A quick Google search for “problems at Hooters” yields links on a variety of topics going back at least a decade, so the latest round of closings isn’t exactly a surprise. Reporting at Restaurant Business, Joe Guszkowski provides a few of the relevant numbers.
Hooters confirmed the shutdowns Monday but did not provide an exact number. Texas news outlet Texoma reported that 40 Hooters have closed nationwide, citing restaurant employees. The 293-unit chain known for its chicken wings and scantily clad waitresses has been struggling for years. Since 2018, U.S. systemwide sales are down nearly 15%, and its domestic footprint has shrunk by 12%, according to Technomic data.
WDRB has the local story, with two of five Louisville area Hooters having shuttered.
The Hooters in Clarksville, Indiana and Dixie Highway in Louisville closed their doors for good…three other locations in the area remain open in Jeffersonville, Dutchman’s Lane near St. Matthews and Preston Highway.