Beloved Hooters Location in Boca Raton, Florida Closing Despite TikTok-Famous Staffers

The popular restaurant built a cult following through social media, but its landlord decided not to renew the lease.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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A successful Hooters location in Boca Raton, Florida that gained a large following through its social media videos featuring TikTok-famous staffers will be closing at the end of February due to the landlord's decision not to renew the lease. The restaurant, which has been open for 16 years, distinguished itself by heavily leaning into social media, with videos often showcasing choreographed dances, playful jabs at local sports teams, and scripted skits from its Hooters waitresses. Despite being a healthy and successful location, the closure has surprised longtime customers and employees.

Why it matters

In a tough restaurant economy, the closure of this Hooters location is notable as it was a thriving business that had built a strong social media presence and loyal following. The case highlights how even successful restaurants can fall victim to external factors like landlord decisions, and how social media has become an integral part of marketing and building a brand in the hospitality industry.

The details

The Boca Raton Hooters location gained a cult following through its active social media presence, which featured videos of its Hooters waitresses engaging in choreographed dances, making playful jabs at local sports teams, and participating in scripted skits. This social media strategy, which started as an experiment, evolved into one of the most recognizable Hooters social media accounts in the country. The videos helped turn the Hooters waitresses into 'local celebrities' as recognition followed them outside the restaurant. The social media presence also became a valuable recruiting tool, with Hooters general manager Chris Torelli noting 'tremendous success' in hiring staff who wanted to work there because of the videos.

  • The Boca Raton Hooters location has been open for 16 years.
  • The restaurant will be closing at the end of February 2026 due to the landlord's decision not to renew the lease.

The players

Chris Torelli

The general manager of the Boca Raton Hooters location.

Amanda Hall

A Hooters waitress who became a familiar face online through the restaurant's social media videos.

Sarah Glynn

A Hooters waitress who also became a recognizable figure through the restaurant's social media presence.

Abigail Fuqua

A former employee of the Boca Raton Hooters location who still experiences recognition from the social media posts even over a year after leaving the restaurant.

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What they’re saying

“We are a healthy, successful location, and in this economy, the places that close are the opposite.”

— Chris Torelli, General Manager (Fox News Digital)

“As soon as you open that door up, and you immerse yourself into it, you just have fun.”

— Abigail Fuqua, Former Employee (Fox News Digital)

“These girls are my sisters now.”

— Sarah Glynn, Hooters Waitress (Fox News Digital)

“It kind of became more like a home and a family.”

— Amanda Hall, Hooters Waitress (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

The general manager, Chris Torelli, said the 'plan all along' was to find a new home for the Hooters location nearby, stating 'We're not done yet.' However, the future plans for the employees are less certain.

The takeaway

This case highlights how even a successful and thriving restaurant business can fall victim to external factors beyond its control, like a landlord's decision not to renew a lease. It also underscores the power of social media in building a brand and cultivating a loyal customer base in the hospitality industry, as demonstrated by the Boca Raton Hooters location's strong social media presence and the local celebrity status of its Hooters waitresses.