DALLAS, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- A happy conclusion has been reached in what is certainly the longest liquor license fight in the 24 year history of the Hooters restaurant chain. The company's South Arlington, Texas location announced that after a 2-1/2 year struggle in which they were forced to give beer away rather than have guests go without, will begin selling alcohol at 4 PM CDST today. The case marks an end to the forces of moral correctness's efforts to impose their narrow views on the people of this community near Dallas.
The fight began in 2005 when an ultra conservative community group from South Arlington was able to convince an elected judge to ignore the law and suspend the Hooters location's liquor license in the name of political expediency. The group called Partnership for Community Values had hoped that without a liquor license Hooters would be forced to close in the South Arlington community. Unfortunately for them they miscalculated the will of Kelly Hall, majority owner of Hooters in Texas through his franchisee company called Texas Wings Inc. Hall implemented the practice of giving away up to 2 beers per guest while he fought the court ruling in order to keep his customers happy and coming in. During this 30 month period the location gave away over $1.2 million worth of beer to the restaurant's patrons. The practice comes to an end today after Hooters received a favorable ruling in the State Office of Administrative Hearings. A license issued by the TABC was delivered to the store this afternoon.
"Clearly this extremist group underestimated the will of Hooters to pursue justice and wage this battle," said Mike Herrick the Executive Vice President of Texas Wings. "We felt we had a responsibility to our owners, employees and guests to put up this fight. If we had not stopped these opponents of freedom here there's no telling where it could have led. Treating lawful and taxpaying employers in this way is not in the best interest of South Arlington or Texas," continued Herrick.
Texas Wings, a franchise of Hooters of America, Inc., operates the 43 Hooters restaurants in Texas. The first Texas location opened in Dallas in 1989. There are currently over 435 Hooters restaurants in 43 states and 22 foreign countries. The original Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida and the system will be celebrating the 25th anniversary next year. Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls. For more information about Hooters visit http://www.hooters.com/.
Texas Wings
