Hooters and its tamer spinoff, Hoots, are looking for more locations in Manhattan.
Hooters Management Corp. Chief Executive Neil Kiefer traveled from his Clearwater, Fla., headquarters to Manhattan a few weeks ago to scout locations for both concepts.
“We started to kick the tires [of locations] in the neighborhood of 3,000 square feet,” Kiefer said.
The “breastaurant” was founded by six guys in 1983. In 2001, they sold all but the Manhattan, Florida and Chicago stores.
Earlier this year, they unveiled Hoots, which employs both male and female servers. The first location, in Cicero, Ill., outside Chicago, opened in February.
“So far, knock on wood, it is doing well and exceeded expectations,” Kiefer said.
With just six menu items — including its wings and special sauce — Hoots offers the most popular food from the Hooters menu in a faster casual atmosphere.
Kiefer is looking to open several Hoots in Manhattan as well as another Hooters — since its sole location, near Madison Square Garden, is doing well.
Harris Bulow of Eastern Consolidated is representing Hooters Management Corp. in its searches.
Kiefer said he scouted sites in East Harlem and other neighborhoods.
“There are plenty of families and children that come to the 33rd Street location,” he added, noting, “The [waitress outfits] are pretty PG by today’s standards.”
