Did Hooters Close in NE Because of Puritanism?

Hooters has shuttered its New England outposts in a rare setback for the popular casual eatery/oglery.  Marketplace turns to Bentley College marketing prof Andy Aylesworth for guidance and receives some dubious-insights: 

We're the home of the puritans, the Salem Witch Trials, Hahvud, Boston Bluebloods. From a demographic point of view, I'm not sure that Hooters in New England is a good fit.   

I think we can agree that cultural reasons lie behind Dubai's rejection of a proposed Hooters.  But the northeastern failure will more likely be traced to management or finance problems and not the disdain of Boston Brahmin descendants ensconced in Beverly Farms.

First of all, the Hooters at issue were in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York and Massachusetts so a Bostonian focus is too narrow.  Besides has this professor ever been to Lansdowne Street, Boylston Street, etc?  Second several Hooters are prospering in preppy Connecticut.  Third, Hooters is biggest in the Bible Belt and religious South which would seem to be a more vibrant cultural norm than puritanism up here.  Sounds like a cute story but doesn't make much sense.

Comments

[rich cerasale]

hooters will be back

[Rhea]

Glad to hear it!