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Hooters of America to open shop in India |
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Friday, July 16, 2004 |
 Hooters of America Inc., the restaurant chain well known for its signature cheerleader-style hostesses, chicken wings and casual beach-like atmosphere, plans to open shop in India.
The privately owned, Atlanta-headquartered chain has a presence in 13 countries and its plans for India are part of its strategy to target seven more countries this year.
"If all goes as planned, we should begin construction in 2005," Alexis Aleshire, a spokesperson for Hooters, told IANS. Discussions are on to franchise the restaurants, she added.
"We are very excited to expand the Hooters concept to locations all over the world," said John Weber, executive vice president of operations for Hooters of America.
"This year we anticipate opening over seven locations internationally."
While China, South Korea and Germany will have Hooters restaurants by this fall, discussions are on for similar
set-ups in Australia and New Zealand, besides India, the group said.
Hooters is well known for its brand of food and fun, with a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and its signature chicken wings.
The All-American cheerleaders called 'Hooters Girls' provide the service in the restaurants that play the music of the 1950s and 1970s.
The first Hooters location opened its doors about 21 years ago in Florida, and today there are over 370 locations. It expended operations overseas in 1996, and since then the chain has a presence in 13 countries with over 25 restaurants.
The group generates an average 70 percent of its sales revenues from food, five percent from merchandise, and 25 percent from beer and wine. It does not serve liquor.
The chain says it acknowledges that many consider 'Hooters' to be a slang for a portion of the female anatomy. The chain does have an owl inside its logo and uses the theme sufficiently to allow debate over brand name's intent.
"The chain enjoys and benefits from this debate. In the end, we hope Hooters means a great place to eat," the group says.
Last year, the group also launched Hooters Air Airline, featuring 'club class' seating and food, where two Hooters girls join the regular pilots and flight attendants for the service. |
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