Hulk Hogan's beer brand is eyeing a takeover of the Hooters name
Weeks after Hooters of America's bankruptcy, the brand could be close to getting a lifeline from a longtime fan: wrestling legend Hulk Hogan.
Real American Beer, a brand Hogan founded in 2024, plans to submit a bid for Hooters' intellectual property soon, a person familiar with the company's plans told Business Insider.
If a bid was successful, it would allow Hogan and Real American Beer to create Hooters-branded merchandise, such as food and beverages, that it could distribute at restaurants, including Hooters locations, as well as at retailers and entertainment and gaming venues, the person said.
Real American would license the Hooters name back to the restaurants under the potential deal, the person added. Hogan's company isn't interested in acquiring or operating the restaurants, the person added.
The bid would need to be approved by parties overseeing Hooters' bankruptcy, the person said. The person declined to say how much the bid would be worth, but said that it would be an all-cash offer. The deal is in flux, and terms and potential buyers could change.
Hooters of America, one of two companies that operate Hooters restaurants in the US, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March. The company is owned by the private equity firms Nord Bay Capital and TriArtisan Capital Advisors.
Hooters of America's restaurants are still open during the bankruptcy process. The company plans to sell some of its locations to franchisees who opened the first locations back in the '80s.
Hogan and Hooters have a relationship going back decades.
Hooters got its start in the 1980s when its founders opened the chain's first location in Clearwater, Florida — the same city where Hogan was born and raised. It's also where Hogan raised his family, and he still owns houses and attends church in the area.
Hogan also appeared at one of the restaurant chain's locations last year when he threw TikToker Frankie Lapenna into a table, complete with a tablecloth featuring the chain's logo.
Hooters was also one of the first places that Real American distributed its beer after launching in 2024.
"Hooters has always been a big part of his life," the person familiar with Real American Beer's plans told BI.
If a bid is successful, Real American Beer could distribute Hooters products using the same distributors that it already uses for its beer. Real American distributes beer at Walmart in 28 states, as well as at supermarkets including Albertsons.
While his brand might not be interested in Hooters' locations, Hogan does have restaurant experience. He oversees Hogan's Hangout, a restaurant near the beach in Clearwater.
In the 1990s, he also opened a now-defunct restaurant called Pastamania in the Mall of America in Minneapolis.
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Buc-ee's even has books that show you how to make your favorite cocktail, whether it's a martini, a mule or a mango margarita. Toys, sporting goods, outdoor cooking and camping equipment are among the many, many things customers can buy at Buc-ee's that can fill the hours with fun. Books, boogie boards and board games can help vacationers pass the time while in between activities. Nine-year-old Scarlet Stender of Piggott, Arkansas, was looking at some of the Buc-ee's clothing, jewelry and stuffed animals, smiling from ear-to-ear. "I want everything," she said. "There's so much fun stuff." Even though it was Scarlet's first time at the Robertsdale store, she's been to a Buc-ee's before, when her family visited the Fort Worth, Texas, area. Well, Buc-ee's doesn't have a spa, but what it has will make you feel like you visited one. Handmade soaps, lotions and candles in many scents fill the spa section of Buc-ee's. Neck warmers and pillows, terry cloth robes and comfy slippers, hair accessories, makeup mirrors and other accessories finish off the spa experience. Clothing for men, women and children, both with and without the Buc-ee's brand fill the store, outfitting the entire family from the newborns to the great-grandparents. Each Buc-ee's has its own special shirts bearing the location and Buc-ee's brand, which can be given as gifts or kept for souvenirs. Wilson said he and his wife bought some hats and T-shirts to take home for friends. His wife also bought a few outfits for the couple's new grandchild. If you don't feel like you've had a day at the mall, you haven't had a full Buc-ee's experience. But don't worry. It takes time to become a Buc-ee's veteran. Visit the travel centers a few times and you'll get the hang of it. Just remember to set yourself a budget or you could end up in a beaver stew. The restrooms have attendants who make sure the facilities are clean. Artwork by local artists lines the hallway to the restrooms. The paintings are for sale if anyone takes a fancy to them. "We're known for our clean restrooms," Shires said. Customers aren't the only ones who have a good time at Buc-ee's. The company wants its employees to enjoy the experience just as much as the customers do, Shires said. Amanda Lott, who has been working at the Robertsdale store for about a year. She said she likes working at Buc-ee's because it's always busy and she gets to meet new people. "People are coming from all over the world," she said. "It's really neat." The company does its best to hire people who are a good fit, and there is very little turnover. "You have people who want to be here and are in such good moods," Shires said. "It keeps the customers coming back." Employees are paid top wages, another perk to working at Buc-ee's, but it also makes the hiring process more selective. "We want to pay them what they're worth," Shires said. "We want to show that we appreciate them as a company. "We're focused on their experience as well as the customers." Lici Beveridge is a reporter for the Hattiesburg American and Clarion Ledger. Contact her at lbeveridge@ Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: When is Buc-ee's in Mississippi opening?
