Hooters is expanding throughout Southeast Asia

Hooters is expanding its empire throughout Southeast Asia. (POZEIDON PHOTOGRAPHER)

One of the world’s most iconic restaurant chains is preparing to spread its wings even further.

Hooters, know for its buffalo wings and scantily-clad waitresses, has just unveiled a plan to open 30 locations across several Southeast Asian countries over the next six years. The wing chain already has one location in the beach city of Phuket, Thailand but plans to expand to the Philippines, Vietnanam, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar and more. There are several Hooters franchises in China and Japan.

After the success of the Phuket Hooters, Garry Murray CEO of Destination Resorts—Hooters’ international franchisee—says the company saw a “tremendous opportunity” to roll out the Hooters brand across Asia. Hooters also says it will focus on incorporating the local cuisine onto the new restaurant menus.

With tight orange hot pants, and skimpy t’s, Hooters girls have become more iconic than the wings they serve.

But they have plenty of competition from chains like Twin Peaks and the Tilted Kilt that feature pub grub served up by sexy waitstaff. Business at these so-called beastaurant chains is soaring in the U.S., despite the decline of other fast-casual sit down establishments.