Franchising

Hoots taking flight in Texas

Provided

March 31, 2021

After signing its first franchise agreement in Texas for 60 units, Hoots Wings is hoping to add at least 80 more to the Lone Star state, according to a company press release.

Owned and operated by HOA Brands, the parent company of Hooters, the fast casual wing concept is seeking multi-unit franchise partners to develop:

• About 40 restaurants in Houston and its surrounding counties.
• A dozen in San Antonio, New Braunfels and south-central Texas.
• Five in Corpus Christi and Nueces County.
• 15 throughout Rio Grande Valley.
• Up to seven in El Paso.
• Six or seven in the Tyler/Longview communities.

"We are looking for more strong operators like the Alberts to grow the Hoots wings brand throughout Texas beyond Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth," Sal Melilli, CEO of HOA Brands, said in the release. "When creating Hoots Wings, we took some of the most popular food items from Hooters and put it in a smaller footprint, with a focus on off-premise eating. Texans have been very loyal to Hooters' food over the years, and the states houses some of our most successful restaurants. We've been hearing from our customers that they're clamoring for more wing options, making the state an ideal option for initial growth."

Melilli is also looking toward Texas' northern neighbors for growth and has territories available in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Hoots, which launched its franchise opportunity in late 2020, has seven locations in Illinois, Georgia and Florida and will add up to 17 more units by year's end.