Hooters has closed its final restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida, ending a four-decade presence in the area. The San Jose Boulevard location, which opened in 1986, permanently shut its doors, marking the latest in a series of closures for the restaurant chain following bankruptcy restructuring.
With this closure, Hooters now lacks a foothold in northeast Florida. The closest outlet on Florida’s Atlantic coast is in Daytona Beach, as indicated by the company’s online locator. The Jacksonville site was among the oldest in the area, having served customers for 40 years.
More Florida Closures
Jacksonville’s closure is not isolated. The Panama City Beach Hooters also ceased operations in September, having offered service for more than three decades. This leaves Pensacola Beach as the sole Hooters outpost in the Florida Panhandle.
Another significant closure occurred in Boca Raton. The restaurant, known for its social media following, ended operations in February when the lease renewal was declined. This added to the gap of Hooters locations along Florida’s Atlantic coast, spanning around 150 miles between Fort Lauderdale and West Melbourne.
Restructuring Effects
In March 2025, Hooters of America filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to financial struggles and shifting consumer habits. The restructuring led to the closure of numerous restaurants across several states. The company aimed to consolidate with a focus on franchises, aligning with Hooters’ original business model.
Neil Kiefer, CEO of Hooters Inc., addressed the brand’s evolution, highlighting a need to return emphasis to food and hospitality. He expressed a desire to attract families and younger demographics, moving away from the oversexualized image some locations had developed.
Continued Changes
Despite restructuring efforts, closures persist. The Fayetteville, North Carolina Hooters, which started in 1994, closed in May. The well-known Mall of America Hooters in Minnesota also ended operations in March after 33 years.
Nonetheless, Hooters is not entirely retracting. A new location opened in The Villages, a retirement community in Florida, in July 2025. Plans for a new establishment near Tampa in Lutz are underway, signaling ongoing strategic development post-bankruptcy.