Hooters of America | 37,622 followers on LinkedIn. Hooters Makes You Happy | Hooters operates over 400 Hooters restaurants in 42 states and 27 countries. Known for its world famous Hooters Style chicken wings, the first Hooters opened its doors in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida. Expectations were so modest at the time that the simple fact the doors opened was deemed worthy of a toast.