Hooters restaurant chain may be coming to Chch

Hooters, the US-based restaurant chain renowed for its busty waitresses, is considering coming to New Zealand.

The chain has looked at the New Zealand market once before, in 2005, but never arrived.

However, according to Franchise New Zealand magazine, Hooters vice-president of global business development Mark Whittle is coming to Auckland this week on a hunt for potential investors to bring the brand here.

The meetings were being coordinated by the US Department of Commerce in Auckland, the magazine’s website said.

It said Hooters was looking to open five or six outlets – two in Auckland, and at least one in Christchurch, Queenstown and Wellington.

The chain was looking for an investor or group represented by a single corporate entity to own and manage the outlets. But interested parties needed to have ‘‘demonstrable liquidity of around $5 million’’ to fund acquisition and management costs.

Hooters already has five stores in Australia and one in Singapore.

The company believed ‘‘the New Zealand economy was now at an ideal stage for market entry for the casual beach-themed restaurant’’.

The restaurant’s menu revolves around grilled items such as chicken wings, shrimps and burgers, but is best known for its well-endowed ‘‘Hooters girls’’.

‘‘It’s the Hooters girls who provide the energy, charisma and engaging conversation that keep guests coming back,’’ the website quoted Hooters as saying.

The company has an owl in its logo to ensure ambiguity regarding its name, which can be slang for a women’s bust.