Chanticleer Holdings and Hooters to Ring NASDAQ Closing Bell

NEW YORK, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Chanticleer Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTR, HOTRU), an owner of privately held Hooters of America and franchisee focused on international expansion of the Hooters casual dining restaurant brand, will celebrate its June 21 listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market by ringing the closing bell today at 4 p.m. 

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120416/CL87692LOGO )

Hooters of America Chief Executive Officer Terry Marks will join Chanticleer Holdings' Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mike Pruitt at the bell podium along with Chanticleer Holdings' international operating partners, other directors of Hooters of America, the Miss Hooters International 2012 winner and the Miss Hooters of South Africa.

Following an investment in Hooters of America (HOA) in 2006, Chanticleer Holdings brought together a group of noteworthy private equity investors to acquire HOA in 2011, including H.I.G. Capital, KarpReilly, LLC and Kelly Hall, president of Texas Wings, Inc., the largest Hooters franchisee in the United States.

With more than 40 international restaurants in 28 countries, Hooters is among the world's most recognizable and iconic restaurant brands. The Hooters lifestyle brand, famed heritage as the original wings restaurant, and successful growth domestically and internationally over almost three decades is a powerful foundation on which to expand. Chanticleer Holdings' initial focus includes Australia, Brazil, Hungary and South Africa.

"This is an exciting day for Chanticleer, our international business partners and for the Hooters brand," said Mike Pruitt, who is also a member of the HOA board. "Since the purchase of Hooters in early 2011, we have assembled a new, strong leadership team at Hooters that has a keen focus on growing the brand both domestically and internationally, and we are thrilled to be part of that process."

The new executive leadership team, including Marks, Chief Operating Officer Sam Rothschild and Chief Marketing Officer Dave Henninger, brings professional restaurant and foodservice expertise and heightened credibility to the brand. 

"The Hooters team is excited about this new milestone in the next phase of growing the Hooters brand internationally, and we are thrilled to be a part of closing the bell at NASDAQ," Marks said. "The Hooters brand is recognized around the world and represents the fun-loving culture that makes our guests happy. As we embark on the next phase of growth, the new leadership team at Hooters is committed to a few simple tenets – great food, a fun and upbeat atmosphere, and unbeatable and uniquely Hooters service, all across the globe."

Most recently, Hooters rolled out new and improved burger choices and wing recipes. From expanded menu and beverage choices to restaurant remodels and renovations, guests will enjoy many more improvements in the coming months.

To view the bell ringing ceremony online using the NASDAQ webcam, click on the following link at approximately 3:45 PM EDT and follow the instructions:
http://www.nasdaq.com/about/marketsitetowervideo.asx

About Chanticleer Holdings, Inc.

Chanticleer Holdings (NASDAQ: HOTR, HOTRU) a business operator focused on expanding the Hooters casual dining restaurant brand in international markets. Chanticleer currently has rights to develop and operate Hooters restaurants in South Africa and has joint ventured with the current franchisee in Australia. The company also has franchise rights to develop Hungary and parts of Brazil while evaluating several additional opportunities internationally.  In 2011, Chanticleer and a group of noteworthy private equity investors, which included H.I.G. Capital, KarpReilly, LLC and Kelly Hall, president of Texas Wings Inc., the largest Hooters franchisee in the United States, acquired Hooters of America (HOA). Today, HOA is the franchisor and operator of over 435 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 28 foreign countries. Chanticleer maintains a minority ownership stake in HOA and its CEO, Mike Pruitt, is also a member of HOA's Board of Directors. For further information, please visit www.chanticleerholdings.com or www.hooters.com and follow us on Twitter at @ChantHoldings or @Hooters.

About Hooters of America, LLC

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 430 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 27 foreign countries. The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida. Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly, world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls. For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/Hooters or www.Facebook.com/Hooters.

SOURCE Hooters of America, LLC