Just when everyone thought Hooters was heading for a final curtain call, Hulk Hogan body-slammed his way into the boardroom.
That’s right, Hooters, the iconic wing-and-curves chain, is on the brink of bankruptcy, and Hogan’s Real American Beer is throwing down an all-cash offer to try and save the brand. Yeah, the same guy who tore shirts in the ring might now be reviving a restaurant chain with orange shorts and curly fries.
In case you missed it, Hooters has been closing stores left and right. Dozens across states like Texas, Florida, Georgia, and more have already shut their doors, with more closures expected if the brand doesn’t turn things around. Critics have called the concept outdated, and let’s face it, there’s only so long you can sell wings with a wink before Gen Z says “nah.”
But things aren’t totally hopeless. Last month, Hooters of America signed a deal with The Buyer Group, a PR firm that’s now running select locations and hoping to give the chain a much-needed glow-up. Hooters CEO Sal Melilli said the move is part of efforts to reinforce the company’s financial foundation. He’s staying positive, thanking loyal fans and employees, and promising that “our renowned Hooters restaurants are here to stay.”
Over on The Buyer Group’s side, CEO Neil Kiefer, who has over 30 years of Hooters experience, says they’re going back to the brand’s roots. Their strategy is to simplify things, switch to a full franchise model, and aim for long-term, sustainable growth. So yeah, they’re taking it seriously.
And then comes Hulk Hogan. His beer company, Real American Beer (named after his iconic entrance music), has made a surprise move to buy Hooters outright. The offer? Cold, hard cash. Fox Business says the bid is for the Hooters intellectual property, which opens the door for much more than restaurants.
Hogan’s vision? Turn Hooters into more than just a food chain. His team wants to relaunch it across digital content, gaming, experiential events, and even consumer product lines. Think wings and brews, yes, but also merch, media, maybe even a mobile game or streaming series. It’s wild, but it might actually work.
Real American Beer is already riding some serious momentum. Launched less than a year ago, it’s already made it to Walmart shelves in eight states and is now the official beer of the WWE. It’s even climbing the charts as the second most popular light beer behind Samuel Adams. This guy knows how to build a brand.
| State | City/Location |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Huntsville (4729 NW University), Birmingham (1278 Oak Grove Rd) |
| Florida | Gainesville, Lakeland, Orange Park, West Palm Beach |
| Kentucky | Louisville, Richmond |
| Georgia | Brunswick, Hiram, Macon, Atlanta (Hoots Wings), McDonough |
| Illinois | Springfield |
| Indiana | Castleton, Clarksville |
| Maryland | Baltimore (301 Light St 1445) |
| Missouri | Florissant, Independence, North Kansas City |
| North Carolina | Greenville, Jacksonville, Charlotte |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma City |
| South Carolina | Columbia |
| Tennessee | Memphis |
| Texas | Beau |
So what happens now? That depends on whether the deal goes through. Nothing’s been finalized, but if Hogan’s beer brand bags Hooters, we might see a full-on revival of one of America’s most recognizable chains.
Meanwhile, here’s a look at all the Hooters stores that have already closed during this rough patch:
So yeah, wrestling legend turned beer mogul might be the one to save Hooters. It’s random, it’s wild, and honestly, it might be the patriotic twist this chain needs. With Hulk Hogan flexing both marketing muscles and business instincts, the comeback could be bigger than anyone expected.
