Some crucial culinary news on the wires this morning that we must share. Hey, even if it doesn’t work out and goes the way of Starbucks, it is certainly worth a try, right? As Ahiraz mentions, this is a concept Israeli’s have been looking for, in fact, just the other day I was walking through Dizengoff and thought to myself, “where can I find some good breasts and a couple of wings?”
From Reuters:
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - U.S. restaurant chain Hooters, known for waitresses in low-cut blouses and short skirts, will open its first branch in Israel this summer, in the Mediterranean seaside city of Tel Aviv.
“I strongly believe that the Hooters concept is something that Israelis are looking for,” Ofer Ahiraz, who bought the Hooters franchise for Israel, told Reuters Monday. “Hooters can suit the Israeli entertainment culture.”
At Hooters, waitresses the company calls Hooters Girls serve spicy chicken wings, sandwiches, seafood and drinks.
Ahiraz said a specific location in Tel Aviv, Israel’s most cosmopolitan city, had yet to be chosen, but he said it would not open restaurants near large religious populations, and they would not be kosher.
He said his plan was to open as many as five Hooters restaurants in the next few years, including one in the southern resort city of Eilat.
The Tel Aviv version of Hooters is expected to mimic most of the chain’s other 430 restaurants in the United States and in 23 countries including China, Switzerland, Australia and Brazil.
Ahiraz said, however, he expected some minor modifications to meet Israeli tastes since U.S. chains have had a mixed response in Israel.
Food chains such as Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts and Hard Rock Cafe failed, Kentucky Fried Chicken closed many locations, while others such as Burger King and McDonalds have thrived by altering their offerings to suit the Israeli market.
“It shows that if you are flexible and listen to your customers you can be a success story,” Ahiraz said.
The opening of Hooters in Israel is part of the chain’s global expansion. Privately held Hooters said it planned to open 17 restaurants in Colombia, Dubai, Guam, New Zealand and India in the next two years.
“International expansion is a major focus for our company, and we are very excited to add Israel to our family,” John Weber, executive vice president of franchise operations for Hooters of America, said in a statement.
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I cannot believe that this resturaunt is opening in such a holy city!
Comment by Michal — March 20, 2007
YAY!
Comment by Marlee Y — March 20, 2007
Here’s my personal take here: http://www.whatwarzone.com/2007/03/bruchim-habaim-lhooterim-can-i-take.html
Comment by Benji — March 20, 2007
Benji I love your Blog!!!
Comment by Holly — March 20, 2007
Nice…however the story is historically incorrect.
US imports that persuade their gullible investors (frierim)to “Israeli-ize” their Tel Aviv operations inevitably fail. (Remember “Wendy’s” at Kikar Dizengoff?)
The Hard Rock was wildly successful while the British trainers were running the place..after they left things went downhill; Food quality and selection was changed, the waitresses and other staff suffered drastic cuts in income and poor treatment. The place was no longer “fun’, and the food was not “Hard Rock” fare.
Planet Hollywood at the Tel Aviv beach never really got off the ground….Bureka hamburgers were not to the Tel Avivim taste.
Dozens of investors tried for decades to bring an authentic “McDonalds” franchise to Israel..they always failed because no one was willing to maintain McDonalds standards. Two Kibutzniks finally did the right thing and proved that we can have high standards in Israel also. Same goes for Burger King (British).
Israelis want originals…we are worldly and not all of us are friers. Burger Ranch and McDavid no longer suit our tastes. A “Hooters” with Humous and Kebab will not tempt very many shekels out of our pockets.
Comment by Michael Travis — March 20, 2007
From the Maxim covers, to the women on the Myspace page, to this Hooters ad, Israel’s online offensive is quite offensive in its treatment of women. Honestly, can’t we sell the country to hipsters without appealing to young men’s sexist fantasies?
Comment by David — March 31, 2007
Ofer,
I wish you all the best and success.
Rio
Comment by Rio — April 26, 2007