---
title: "Hoots Wings Flies into Lone Star State with Extended Franchise Efforts in Texas"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/fd0ee9e3-c819-4db8-93eb-47a663196582
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20210331_hoots_wings_flies_into_lone_star_state_with_extended_franchise_efforts_in_t.html
category: "Chicken"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Chicken"
published: 2021-03-31T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T22:33:17.458Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1568901346375-23c9450c58cd?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Hoots Wings Flies into Lone Star State with Extended Franchise Efforts in Texas

**TL;DR:** Hoots Wings, owned by HOA Brands, is expanding its franchise efforts in Texas with plans to bring over 80 locations to key markets throughout the state. The fast-casual wing concept has already signed a 60+ unit deal with Dallas-based AE Restaurant Group to develop the Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin metro areas.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2021-03-31. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20210331_hoots_wings_flies_into_lone_star_state_with_extended_franchise_efforts_in_t.html).*

## Story

HOUSTON - After signing its first franchise agreement in Texas for 60 units, hoots wings is looking to spread its wings throughout the Lone Star state with 80+ additional franchise units across Texas. Owned and operated by HOA Brands, parent company to hoots wings and Hooters, the fast-casual wing concept has announced plans to bring more than 80 locations to key markets throughout the state.

Hoots began its Texas expansion with the signing of a 60+ unit deal that secured the Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin metro areas for development. Behind the agreement is Dallas-based AE Restaurant Group, led by longtime fast casual franchisees Cary and Jackie Albert. Texans will soon be introduced to hoots wings later this year in northern Fort Worth and the Dallas suburbs.

When Texan entrepreneurs make the move to join the hoots wings franchise family, they sign on to bring the most diverse wing menu to the state, including breaded bone-in, naked bone-in, boneless, and - for those looking for a healthy alternative - smoked and roasted wings. Hoots Wings also sets itself apart from other fast casual franchise opportunities with its simple and effective operations. A hoots wings kitchen only requires two pieces of equipment to produce the menu, and the POS system seamlessly integrates with all major third-party delivery platforms.

“We are looking for more strong operators like the Alberts to grow the hoots wings brand throughout Texas beyond Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth,” said Sal Melilli, CEO of HOA Brands. “When creating hoots wings, we took some of the most popular food items from Hooters and put it in a smaller footprint, with a focus on off-premise eating. Texans have been very loyal to Hooters’ food over the years, and the states houses some of our most successful restaurants. We’ve been hearing from our customers that they’re clamoring for more wing options, making the state an ideal option for initial growth.”

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- unit expansion (topic)
- texas (location)
- texas expansion (topic)
- Hooters (company)
- HOA Brands (company)
- franchise efforts (topic)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20210331_hoots_wings_flies_into_lone_star_state_with_extended_franchise_efforts_in_t.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/fd0ee9e3-c819-4db8-93eb-47a663196582).