Beloved Hooters location in Florida closing despite TikTok-famous staffers

A popular Hooters in Boca Raton, Florida, known for its viral social media videos, is closing at the end of February — giving fans and staff one final chance to enjoy Super Bowl Sunday at the location.

The closure comes after the landlord decided not to renew the lease, surprising both longtime customers and employees, said general manager Chris Torelli.

Despite a challenging restaurant environment, this Hooters thrived, building a devoted following through TikTok dances, parody skits, and viral clips.

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

What began as a marketing experiment evolved into one of the most recognizable Hooters social media accounts in the country. Videos featuring choreographed dances, playful jabs at local sports teams, and scripted phone-call skits drew attention far beyond Boca Raton.

Ten Hooters waitresses in white shirts and orange shorts pose for a group photo. — Over the years, the Boca Raton location distinguished itself by leaning heavily into staff-featured social media content. Hooters Boca Raton/Facebook

“Early viral success helped confirm the strategy,” Torelli said. “You get one or two that go viral, then you start seeing the comments and interaction with the customers.”

But the goal wasn’t just clicks or followers. “It’s always been about having fun,” Torelli said. “We are a business, but Instagram, for us, is fun.”

Much of that energy came from the Hooters waitresses themselves. Amanda Hall and Sarah Glynn became familiar faces online, dancing, joking, and often poking fun at themselves. The social media presence helped turn them into “local celebrities,” Torelli said, with fans recognizing them outside the restaurant.

Former employee Abigail Fuqua said she still runs into people who remember her from the videos, even a year after leaving.

A woman in a Hooters uniform dancing on a table, surrounded by other Hooters waitresses. — The Hooters girls went viral on social media, with videos that often featured choreographed dances, playful jabs at local sports teams or scripted phone-call skits. hootersbocaraton/Instagram

Three Hooters employees dancing in uniforms inside the restaurant. — The social media presence helped turn the Hooters girls into “local celebrities,” general manager Chris Torelli said, as recognition followed them outside the restaurant.

“As soon as you open that door and immerse yourself in it, you just have fun,” Fuqua said.

The social media success also became a powerful recruiting tool. Torelli noted that many staffers were drawn to work at Boca Raton Hooters because of the videos.

“We stumbled upon one of the best marketing tools to recruit future Hooters girls,” he said.

After 16 years, the Boca Raton location will close, but the bonds formed among employees remain strong.

Seven women in white Hooters shirts and orange shorts pose on a basketball court. — “These girls are my sisters now,” Hooters waitress Sarah Glynn said. Hooters Boca Raton/Facebook

“These girls are my sisters now,” Glynn said. Hall added, “It became more like a home and a family.”

Torelli said there are plans to reopen in a new location nearby. “We’re not done yet,” he said.

For staff, the transition is bittersweet. “Life takes you in different directions, but I had a great time while I was here,” Hall said. Glynn joked that the closure may signal the end of an era for her. “It may be time to retire the orange shorts because I don’t know how I can do any Hooters other than Boca.”

Even after closing, Torelli said the social media presence will continue. “We owe it to our guests, staff, and community to keep this going,” he said.

Fox News Digital reached out to the property management company for comment.

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