Big news shaking up the restaurant industry: Hooters has just announced a sudden closure of 40 locations across the United States. If you’re in Florida, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Texas, or Virginia, you might be seeing fewer of those iconic orange shorts and owl logos.
The reason? It’s the same old challenging story affecting many businesses right now—rising costs. Specifically, Hooters is grappling with the increased costs of food and rent, which have forced them to shut down some of their underperforming stores. It’s a tough break, not just for the fans of their distinctive dining style, but also for the employees who relied on these jobs.
A spokesperson from Hooters mentioned, “Like many restaurants under pressure from current market conditions, Hooters has made the difficult decision to close a select number of underperforming stores.” They also emphasized their commitment to continue serving customers in other locations both in the US and globally.
This move is quite indicative of the broader economic challenges many are facing under what’s often referred to as “Bidenomics.” Since the Biden administration took office in 2021, we’ve seen inflation rates soar, squeezing the wallets of everyday Americans and making it harder for businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, to stay afloat.