Which restaurant chain did Edward C. Droste co-found?

Edward C. Droste (born April 22, 1951) is an American businessman. He is a co-founder of the Hooters restaurant chain and played a major role in various marketing initiatives that helped it to grow. Droste also co-founded several other restaurant chains, the resort management company Provident Resorts, and the marketing firm Provident Advertising and Marketing.

Droste and five partners opened the first Hooters restaurant in Clearwater, Florida in October 4, 1983. In the early days, when the restaurant was suffering from limited traffic, Droste came up with several unorthodox advertising and public relations efforts. In one instance, Droste wore a chicken costume to draw customers, and also painted a Hooters sign on a partially-sunken boat.

Droste is credited with shaping the Hooters persona by recruiting the first face of Hooters. Discovered in a Clearwater Beach bikini contest, Lynne Austin became the “Original Hooters Girl” and appeared on billboards as well as frequent radio show stops promoting the brand.

In 2015 Hooters announced that it is planning to open more than 30 restaurants in Southeast Asia over the next six years.

As of 2016 there were more than 430 Hooters locations and franchises around the world and Hooters of America LLC. owns 160 units.

There are Hooters locations in 44 US states, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, and in 28 other countries.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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22 Comments

Clayton Dean Brannon

Never been in one and doubtful I ever will. I prefer my servers to be fully clothed. I am old and going places like this with wives and daughters is not my ideal place for an evening out.

Elizabeth Stephens Smith

The food isnt bad and the servers are always nice and helpful. They're just doing a job to pay their bills.most are college students and if you're that uptight,stay home. They aren't strippers or hookers. They have charity car shows and do a lot for the community.

earlepg

Droste was featured in an episode of "Undercover Boss". Owners/Managers of U.S. businesses or their representatives don a disguise and visit some of their outlets during a week usually as someone wanting a job, or similar job, working at various positions. After the week ends they reveal themselves to those who were training them and discuss what they learned and usually rewarding them generously for good work. My point here is that Hooters seems to hire mostly good looking girls (but guys are also hired) to serve as waitresses. Their uniforms were on the skimpy side but they were tastefully done. Customers were obviously expected to behave properly aa well. I haven't noticed a Hooters Restaurant where I live, but wouldn't be embarrased to eat at one (and even at my age, I embarrass easilly).