Hooters Names New CEO

ATLANTA, Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hooters of America, LLC, a franchisor and operator of over 435 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 28 foreign countries, today announced that Terrance M. Marks will join the company this fall as President and CEO.  Most recently, Mr. Marks was President and CEO of the publicly-traded The Pantry, Inc., where he was responsible for over 1,650 convenience stores in 13 states.    

Prior to the Pantry, Mr. Marks spent 21 years at Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. ("CCE") in various sales, operations, finance and general management roles culminating as President of CCE North America.  As President, he directed all sales, marketing, finance, operations, manufacturing, distribution, supply chain and human resources for the $15 billion enterprise with 55,000 employees in 400 locations.  Mr. Marks received a BA in Communications from the University of Southern California.  He and his wife Cecile have three children.  Mr. Marks will begin with Hooters early this fall following a transition plan with his current company.

"I am thrilled to be returning to Atlanta and am very excited to be joining the Hooters team," said Marks.  "Throughout my career I have been privileged to experience both the power of world class brands and the excitement of nurturing the development of lesser known ones. The opportunity to contribute to the growth of a great brand like Hooters is extremely energizing to me. In just a little over two decades Hooters has become known around the world for great American food, a fun environment and of course the iconic Hooters Girls. This record of success is a credit to all those who have contributed to the development of the brand, and I look forward to working with the Hooters team as we lead the Company into its next phase of growth."

HOA was acquired in January 2011 by a consortium of private investors including H.I.G. Capital, KarpReilly and Chanticleer Holdings from the estate the late Robert H. Brooks. Mr. Marks succeeds Coby Brooks, President and CEO of the company since 2003 who was Mr. Brooks' son. He will direct the company from its Atlanta headquarters where the company has been based since 1984.

Commenting on the hire, Tim Armstrong, director of HOA and Managing Director at H.I.G. Capital notes that,   "Terry brings with him the accumulated experience from a long and successful career capitalizing on the power of brands.  Hooters has come tremendously far since 1983.  Terry brings the operational and strategic expertise to take the brand to a whole new level of performance."

About Hooters of America, LLC

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 435 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 28 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, Inc.