The Hooters’ girls are back in town — but not in different uniforms.
The Fresh Meadows rack shack reopened November 8 at 61-09 190th Street as a new franchise under Marc Phaneuf.
Earlier this summer, Phaneuf said the Hooters waitresses might don slightly new outfits — skorts instead of shorts.
But the corporation has not yet finalized the new getup, he said. The well-known white top and bright orange bottom combo is here to stay until then.
Phaneuf shelled out $1.2 million to completely remodel the restaurant, which now features a centralized bar, twice as many televisions, including some 90-inch sets, and a healthier menu.
Colin Parker, director of operations of Hooters New England and New York, said he hopes locals will “celebrate” the remodel and “kick back and relax after work.”
The majority of the 84 staff members hired are new to Hooters, Phaneuf said. About a dozen are returning employees.
“We’re very happy with how the community has received us since our opening,” the franchise owner said. “We’ve had a great turnout, and we’re very, very pleased. We’re hoping for good things to come.”
Hooters first opened at the Queens site in 2009. It closed last October after Hooters of America axed a franchise agreement with Strix Restaurant Group, which ran the Fresh Meadows restaurant and three others on Long Island.
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