Casual dining chain Hooters of America hopes to satisfy US appetites for sports betting, having secured one partnership with DraftKings, with another with PointsBet soon to follow.
Hooters of America, headquartered in Georgia and owned by Nord Bay Capital, consists of 379 restaurants across 37 US states, of which around 50% are franchise operated. As more US states embrace and legalise sports betting, the group is looking to partner with betting operators, such as DraftKings and PointsBet. Restaurants now offer diners a QR Code to scan that provides special DraftKings offers.
Hooters of America CEO Sam Melilli commented: “We are seeing there is a strong demand for the legalisation of gambling. We have been in it from the beginning and are in tune with that. Many of our guests come to us for two reasons: our world-famous wings and as a destination to watch sports events. Now you can enjoy the game, you can bet on it and watch on dedicated TVs or place bets with Hooters girls who can talk sports. Now you don’t have to go to a casino, you just go to your neighbourhood Hooters.”
Several Hooters restaurants been upgraded in readiness for an increase in sports betting clientele. Dedicated areas have been set up, with multiple TV screens, game schedules and odds displays. The famous ‘Hooters Girls’ have also been trained to educate customers on how to download the new app and begin placing their bets.
