re: Hooters in Lafayette closes

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Quality of wings went to shite

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I noticed the last two times I ate that the sauce is definitely different. What did they change and why?

Some are franchises, and some are corporate. The recipes for the wings are different and it is noticeable.

perhaps this one was a franchise?

Louisiana is a franchise

You haven't been to a Hooter's till you been to the one in Augusta Ga the week of the Masters golf tournament. They have competitions in other locations (Florida mainly) to qualify to travel to Augusta and work the restaurant. That's the ultimate Hooter's experience especially since John Daly is present selling his golf stuff and signing autographs for $25 bucks per item signed. They would set up this circus tent outside and have big screen tv's, putting green and multiple bars set up like a spring break event for guy's just wanting to see some Hooter's and drink a couple beer. For 20 plus years that was my go-to spot with customers on Wednesday nite before start of tournament. Well Augusta National now own all the land and buildings on East side of Washington Rd from golf course out almost to I-20 and they are Hooter's landlord. Last year was totally different atmosphere...Gone are the crowds due to capacity regulations that they must abide by and most of the girls are now albeit pretty ..not South Florida pretty hooters girls and John Daly has a small lil corner where he conducts his business..but there's a line outside the door to get in so that's a good thing.

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Some are franchises, and some are corporate. The recipes for the wings are different and it is noticeable.

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If true, and I seriosuly doubt that it is, Hooters is a poorly run company. Never heard of a corporate office allowing a franchisee to change a recipe. In most circumstances, a franchisee doing something like that would result in a fine or even being forced to sell their franchise.

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If true, and I seriosuly doubt that it is, Hooters is a poorly run company. Never heard of a corporate office allowing a franchisee to change a recipe. In most circumstances, a franchisee doing something like that would result in a fine or even being forced to sell their franchise.

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The only differences you will find in production are places like Asia where the supply chain is different and so are shelf lives. The vast majority of us order from Ben E Keith and are on a cooperative purchase agreement. Meaning, the more we all order from BEK the better our payout from them is at the end of the year. Think of it like a bonus. Now that I remember, the one change that did happen off the cuff was the spicy garlic. The head chef didn't think it was spicy enough and changed it without notice. It was an issue and pissed a lot of people off.

I have zero knowledge of the Laffy Hooters. If I had to guess, around 1998 the franchise owners likely signed a 25-year lease with Acadiana Lanes / Circle Bowl (Memphis, TN) who are the property owners. CB offered a new, long-term lease agreement. Owner possibly declined due to their current age (and future age based on the contract length), increasing overhead costs for food, insurance, electricity, and labor shortage, etc ...

a 25 year lease for a restaurant, a business that has an crazy turnaround of failure - that is insane even in 1998

I don't remember it even opening in January, I thought it was more like March or April of 1998 - but 25 years is a blur

I'm assuming it was oversaturation in a smaller market was Hooter's ultimate demise

Jmarto

When and why did they remove the tips from the flaps ?

This was the end of hooters for me .

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Kok ran them out of business

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Although KOK is far better than Hooters, I doubt this is the case.
Smitty's may have had more of an effect on Hooters before it closed. Closer in proximity and much better wings.
Hooters was antiquated and inconsistent.
Twin Peaks has great wings too, and the same atmosphere. Their influence on it can't be discounted...