Famous Wing Joint closes several locations, including Illinois

Another week, another popular restaurant chain abruptly closes several locations across the country (including here in Illinois) and claims everything is fine.

Okay, maybe not “okay,” but according to a spokesperson, such measures are being taken to protect the overall health of the company while expanding into other markets.

That may indeed be the case, but we have also heard that from other chains that ultimately went bankrupt or closed far more locations than originally announced.

Regardless, some locations are already being closed and others could face the same fate.

Hooters isn’t the first restaurant chain to suddenly announce restaurant closures this year, and it doesn’t look like it will be the last

To put things in perspective, here is a partial list of chains that have closed stores this year:

• Applebee’s: In 2023, 33 locations were closed, and another 25-35 locations are to be closed this year
• TGI Fridays: In January, it was announced that 36 underperforming sites across the country would be closed.
• Denny’s: 57 locations closed in 2023, 10-20 more planned for this year
• Boston Market: At the beginning of 2023 there were 300 locations. Forbes reports that there are now only 27
• red lobster: After Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy last month, the company began closing nearly 100 stores. The company is reportedly billions in debt and has less than $50 million in cash reserves.
• Outback Steakhouse: 41 poorly performing sites closed
• MOD Pizza: In the first quarter of this year, 26 underperforming sites were closed nationwide

Hooters has seen a 12% decline in store locations since 2018

They also confirmed that poorly performing sites across the country, including in Illinois, will be closed.

According to Nation’s Restaurant News: “Reports of sudden market closures from Louisville, Kentucky, to Bryan, Texas, to Lakeland, Florida, circulated Sunday night. Around 40 restaurants have been closed across the U.S., according to local news reports.“

These locations have been removed from the Hooter website and marked as permanently closed in the listings.

The majority of closed Hooter stores are in Texas and Florida

Texas and Florida are the states with the most Hooter’s locations: Texas had 55 at the beginning of the year and Florida had 49.

Next comes Georgia with 22. Then it is Illinois with 17.

I guess we could call it 16 locations now, because At this time, only one location in Illinois has been closed (or will soon be closed), in Springfield.

There may be more store closures in Illinois, but that is currently unclear as Hooter’s has not yet released a complete list of planned store closures.