Hooters, the popular US restaurant chain known for its attractive waitresses’ low-cut T-shirts, is set to open its first branch in Israel this summer, the company said in a press release Monday.
Hooters of America, Inc. announced that it has entered into an exclusive franchise agreement with Ilana and Ofer Ahiraz to open in the greater Tel Aviv area.
“A location has not yet been found but we hope to be open towards the end of the summer,” Ofer Ahiraz told The Jerusalem Post.
Asked why he thought Hooters would succeed when other gimmicky food establishments, such as the Hard Rock Caf and Planet Hollywood had failed to last in Israel, Ahiraz said: “Those places came as single restaurants, we will operate like a chain.” He said he expected to open other branches in Eilat, Haifa and maybe even Jerusalem.
“I don’t think there will be a backlash against the restaurant,” Ahiraz said.
In the US, where Hooters has more than 430 restaurants, women’s groups say the sexy uniforms and the all-female bartender concept is degrading to women.
Hooters has successful franchises in 23 other countries, including China, Australia, Switzerland and Brazil, with branches to open soon in Colombia, Dubai, Guam, New Zealand and India.
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