The Hooters restaurant chain abruptly closed more than 30 of its restaurants nationwide, four of them being in Texas. The restaurants closed down on June 4, 2025, as part of a company-wide effort to restructure and convert to a franchise model business operation. The company has termed the closures a “tough decision” that only impacted those restaurants that were owned and operated by the company.
In a statement to USA TODAY, Hooters said, “We are committed to taking care of our impacted employees through this process and are deeply thankful for our loyal guests for their understanding and devotion to the Hooters brand.“ However, the chain did not release a list of the closed locations or indicate when employees were notified that the locations were closing.
These Texas Hooters locations are now closed
The four Hooters restaurants in Texas that have since shut down are
- Grapevine, Texas
- Houston, Texas – 120 FM 1960 W
- San Marcos, Texas
- San Antonio, Texas, is reporting regionally, but it is not officially confirmed by Hooters.
All these sites were originally owned and operated by the company itself. The San Marcos and Grapevine restaurants were among the busiest, frequented by locals and travelers, while the Houston store serviced the jammed northwestern beltway of the city. The San Antonio closure, while less formally communicated, has been widely disseminated through social media and local news coverage.
Bankruptcy and restructuring spark the closures
In March 2025, Hooters silently defaulted but did not initially state that closings would follow. Hardly a couple of months later, however, the sudden closings signal a larger strategy to streamline operations and reduce liabilities held by the company. When the bankruptcy was filed, Hooters had more than 300 units — roughly half corporate-owned and half franchised.
Hooters has reaffirmed to customers on its website that “Hooters is here to stay,” confirming that a stronger financial foundation and transition towards franchise operations would allow it to continue providing its iconic customer experience and food offerings.
Texas workers and communities left in the dark
For employees and customers in Texas, the closures were abrupt. Some walked up to find locked doors and signs on the doors, while others heard through voicemail messages or dead phones. The company hasn’t reported how many employees are impacted across Texas, but job losses statewide potentially total in the hundreds.
Locals who used to visit these restaurants to eat or go for a while and get a meal at local restaurants will have to adjust. For frequent visitors, the closings are the removal of a familiar experience, at least in four Texas cities.
As Hooters moves toward a leaner, more franchised model, Texans will wait to see if any future locations take the hit. For now, these four closings serve as a reminder of how fast things can change in the restaurant world.
