A pared down menu and more conservative dress will be two very noticeable features of a new fast-casual spinoff of the Hooters chain of restaurants.
According to a report Tuesday from Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com), the fast-casual Hoots chain will feature a pared down menu focusing on “some of Hooters’ most popular items, including chicken wings, fries and crab legs.” Unlike the wings-and-beer chain, however, customers will place their orders at a counter rather than interacting with a flirty tank booty-short wearing waitress.
The Hoots chain, which has been on the drawing board for the past three years, was designed to introduce the Hooters affordably into markets with pricey commercial real estate or a preference for carry out, according to a company executive.
“This will help us get into neighborhoods where we can’t find a site big enough,” Hooters franchisee Neil Keifer said, reported NRN. “When you look at the price of real estate, this allows us to be a little more flexible.”
The first Hoots restaurant is slated to open in February in Cicero, Illinois, and, unlike most fast-casual establishments, will feature a bar.
“It’s sort of a flex model,” Keifer said, reported NRN. “But it’ll be predominantly fast casual. We’re anxious to see how that works.”
• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.
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