Restaurant Group Plans To Open 60 Hoots Wings Locations In DFW, Austin
AE Restaurant Group has signed an agreement to open 60 Hoots Wings restaurant locations in Texas, targeting Austin and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with its expansion effort, the company announced Thursday.
Dallas-based AE said it plans to open at least six locations this year, targeting northern Fort Worth and suburban Dallas. AE's plan is to then add eight to 10 locations each year for the next six years.
Brother brand to Hooters, Hoots Wings' first location opened in Chicago about four years ago. Its parent company, HOA Brands, recently opened three locations in its home market of Atlanta and now aims to have 17 of the fast-casual restaurants opened by the end of this year.
AE Restaurant Group is the first company to sign a franchise agreement for the concept. The company is led by Cary and Jackie Albert, the husband and wife team behind Albert Enterprises, which runs 30 Schlotzsky's throughout Texas.
Cary Albert, who will handle real estate, development and build-out for the restaurants, told Bisnow he's looking for sites ranging from 1,800 SF to 2,400 SF. Albert said three locations are imminent and the firm has letters of intent on eight more sites.
