Hoots, a Fast-Casual Restaurant by Hooters, to Open on Downtown’s Jannus Block
The company behind Hooters will be opening one of the first locations of their new fast-casual concept, Hoots: A Hooters Joint, at 204 1st Avenue North in Downtown St Pete. The space is situated directly outside the entrance to Jannus Live and was formerly home to Jannus Market, a convenience store.
In an effort to attract a wider audience, specifically families and millennials, Hooters developed a concept called Hoots back in 2017. In addition to being fast-casual, where customers order from the counter instead of sit down for table service, Hoots also sets itself apart from Hooters by having their staff don a much more modest outfit compared to the traditional short shorts and low-cut top. Additionally, Hoots will be hiring both men and women, something Hooters has gotten flack for in the past.
The ten sauces offered at Hoots
The menu at Hoots will look familiar, offering the “greatest hits” from Hooters, including wings, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, fried pickles, tots, buffalo shrimp, and even snow crab legs. Chicken can be tossed in one of ten different sauces including lemon pepper, habanero BBQ, honey thai chili pepper, and Daytona Beach, Hooters’ signature sweet and spicy sauce.
The first Hoots opened in 2017 in Cicero, IL
Hooters was founded 30 minutes north of the new Hoots location in Clearwater back on April 1st, 1983 by six businessmen. The restaurant opened on April Fools' Day because the the owners believed that their prospect was going to fail. Their first Hooters restaurant was built at 2800 Gulf To Bay Blvd on the site of a former rundown nightclub that had been purchased at a low price.
Interior of the first hoots in Cicero, IL
The Downtown St Pete location of Hoots will be the company’s third location. The first outpost opened two years ago in Cicero, IL and another is planned for Chicago later this year.
Nearby, another fast-casual chicken joint has announced plans to open in Downtown St Pete. Chick’nCone, fork-free chicken and waffles, will be debuting in early 2020 at 425 Central Avenue, replacing Lonni’s Sandwiches, which is moving next door to 429 Central Avenue.
Hoots is expected to open in mid- February 2020.