- Hooters has closed its last remaining Jacksonville location after 40 years, following a routine inspection that cited dead roaches and rodent droppings.
- Signs posted on October 3, 2026, at Hooters, 8938 San Jose Blvd., state the restaurant has closed permanently, marking the end of its 40-year run in the city.
- The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation issued a temporary closure order following a September 29 inspection that cited multiple health violations.
- Hooters opened its first location in Clearwater in 1983 and at its peak operated 420 restaurants in 29 countries, but now operates just over 200 locations.
- The Mandarin Hooters closure comes 27 months after the area's restaurants began closing amid a company upheaval that saw dozens of Hooters nationwide shut their doors.
- Hooters closed its Southside location near Tinseltown cinema in June 2025, and previously closed locations in Orange Park and at the former Jacksonville Landing.
- Hooters filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 31, 2025, in Texas, and successfully emerged seven months later on October 31, 2025.
Hooters has closed its last Jacksonville restaurant, located at 8938 San Jose Blvd., after 40 years of operation. The closure was prompted by a state health order following a routine inspection that revealed serious health violations, including dead roaches and rodent droppings.
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation issued a temporary closure order after the inspection on September 29, which cited three high priority, two intermediate, and five basic violations. Among the findings were two dead roaches in a glue trap and multiple instances of rodent droppings throughout the establishment.4
This location was the last of three Hooters in Northeast Florida, with the chain's decline accelerating after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2025. The company emerged from bankruptcy in October 2025, but has since closed numerous locations across the country, including its Southside and Orange Park restaurants in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
The Mandarin Hooters, which opened in 1986, was known for its signature chicken wings and a unique dining experience featuring female servers in distinctive uniforms. The closure marks a significant moment in the history of the brand, which once boasted over 420 locations worldwide but now operates just over 200.
As the restaurant industry continues to evolve, the fate of Hooters reflects broader challenges faced by casual dining establishments in maintaining health standards and customer patronage.
“The closure follows a Sept. 29 inspection that found multiple violations, including dead roaches and rodent droppings, leading to a temporary closure order. Hooters, which filed for Chapter 11 in March 2025, now operates just over 200 locations, down from a peak of 420.”
