Hooters restaurants are closing. A few of our favorite facts, including original Hooters girl

Since Hooters started in Clearwater and a couple of its original owners hailed from Iowa, I think I’m the perfect person to write a Top 5 Things To Know list about the chicken-wing chain that is having financial problems and closing restaurants in Florida and across the country .

Why me, you ask? Well, I spent most of my professional life in the Tampa Bay area as well as five years in Iowa. Besides, like millions of people, I love hot chicken wings, greasy French fries and cold beer.

First, let's make it clear the restaurants closing are franchises of Hooters of America, based in Atlanta, not Hooters Inc., based in Clearwater. Thanks to former Tampa Tribune Sports co-worker Rick Mayer for pointing that out.

While there are other eating places that have combined wings, side dishes, beer AND waitresses in scanty attire, Hooters was the original. The chain spawned its own hot sauce, calendars, a NASCAR entry, ball girls and even a casino at one point.

More on Hooters closing: Hooters in West Palm Beach is among dozens to close nationally under economic strains

More: Hooters restaurants closing without warning across US, including these 4 in Florida

So, grab some wings and plenty of wet naps and check out my list:

Where was the first Hooters opened?

The first Hooters was located in Clearwater, Florida. The restaurant opened on Gulf to Bay Boulevard just west of the Courtney Campbell Causeway on Oct. 4, 1983. Second location was in Tampa, not far from Tampa Stadium. I’m proud to say I ate there the first week it opened.

For the wings, of course.

Hoot Owl, get it?

The Hooters brand name ostensibly was for the Owl, the wise mascot of the chain. Not sure about those rumors it was meant for anything else.

One more thing - Temple's mascot, Hooter, has nothing to do with Hooters.

The original Hooters girl

One of their waitresses - Lynne Austin - was the original Hooters girl, appearing on billboards all over the Tampa Bay area as well as the chain’s first calendar. She also was a Playboy Playmate of the Month in July 1986 and was married to former Philadelphia Phillies catcher Darren Daulton, who died in 2017. Speaking of those calendars, Bob Passwaters, who handled the chain's advertising and marketing, used to send me one every year.

For scheduling purposes, of course.

Chef Jon Gruden, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach

Former Raiders and Bucs coach Jon Gruden , who led Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl championship, worked at the original Hooters as a cook in 1983. After being forced out of the NFL in October 2021 for uncovered emails in which he repeatedly used racist and homophobic language, Gruden is now an advisor for the Milano Seamen of the European League of Football.

Don’t think there are any Hooters in Italy.

A Hooters on the Las Vegas Strip

There used to be a Hooters Casino Hotel, just off the Vegas Strip. It opened in 2006. It’s now the Oyo Hotel & Casino, but there is still a Hooters restaurant on the property.

For the wings, of course.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Hooters restaurants are closing. A few of our favorite facts, including original Hooters girl