Hooters Nottingham and Liverpool futures determined as US mum or dad firm in administration

EXCLUSIVE: The Nottingham and Liverpool branches of the famous American food chain have been determined, at least for now, according to insiders close to the UK operation

Hooters restaurants in the UK will remain open, despite the their parent company going into administration, the Daily Star has learned.

Fears had emerged the famous Nottingham and Liverpool branches of the ‘breastaurant’ may be shuttered as part of the financial woes of Hooters of America, which has filed for bankruptcy in Texas.

A spokesperson at the operation told the Daily Star that “Hooters’ current franchise operations, including its locations outside the US, are not impacted by the chapter 11 process and will continue to be operated by the Company’s franchise and license partners.

“To be clear, operations will continue as usual,” the spokesperson confirmed.

The firm is trying to sell off all 151 of it company-owned restaurants to a group backed by the iconic chain’s founders but luckily for UK fans, the 154 franchisees are not part of this.

While this will no doubt come as a relief to fans of the chain this side of the Atlantic, the American food bar’s US operations face far more uncertain times – despite claims that restaurants will remain open during the process.

“Our renowned Hooters restaurants are here to stay,” Sal Melilli, Chief Executive Officer of Hooters of America, said.

“Today’s announcement marks an important milestone in our efforts to reinforce Hooters’ financial foundation and continue delivering the guest-obsessed hospitality experience and delicious food our customers and communities have come to expect.

“I’ve seen firsthand the incredible value and opportunities our brand brings to life, and I look forward to continuing that momentum well into the future.

“I’m incredibly grateful to our valued customers, partners, and employees for their continued support.”

“With over 30 years of hands-on experience across the Hooters ecosystem, we have a profound understanding of our customers and what it takes to not only meet, but consistently exceed their expectations,” said Neil Kiefer, CEO of Hooters Inc., on behalf of the Buyer Group.

“As we look toward the future, we are committed to restoring the Hooters brand back to its roots and simplifying HOA’s operations by adopting a pure franchise model that will maximize the potential for sustainable, long-term growth.

“The foundation we’ve laid ensures the continued success of our brand – one that is driven by a relentless focus on delivering an exceptional experience each and every visit for our customers.”