Pattaya socialites were out in force on Saturday evening, Jan. 16. as they joined a bevy of VIP’s, guest celebrities and public officials to attend the official grand opening of Pattaya’s latest dining out establishment, the Hooters Pattaya restaurant on Beach Road, Soi 13.
The Hooters concept of a fun and friendly place to eat and drink was originally conceived back in 1983, with the first restaurant opening in Clearwater, Florida that same year. Since then the franchise has expanded to 430 Hooters locations in 28 countries worldwide.
The exterior façade of Hooters Pattaya, the largest international Hooters restaurant in the world.
Hooters hit Thailand’s shores for the first time in 2014, with a branch opening in Patong Beach, Phuket, and subsequent outlets have since opened in Bangkok.
The Pattaya Mail asked Mike Warde, General Manager of Hooters Pattaya what kind of reception the brand had received from the general public here in the kingdom.
Mark Whittle (centre), Senior VP of Hooters International, joins Garry Murray, CEO of Destination Resorts (2nd right), Piangta Chumnoi, Director of Ban Jing Jai Foundation (right), Rattanachai Sutidechanai, chairman of Pattaya City Council’s Tourism and Sports Committee (2nd left), and Sinchai Wattanasartsathorn, president of the Pattaya Business & Tourism Association (left) during the official ribbon cutting ceremony.
“The reception at first was somewhat mixed as people did not understand why the concept would be needed in Thailand amongst the numerous ‘girly’ bars etc. Once people visited the restaurant however their reactions changed and it has been great as people understand the true concept of the Hooters Restaurant as a family friendly, fun place to dine & drink,” said Mike.
“We continue to grow stronger as we open more restaurants and from Phuket’s first opening in 2014 we have generated a strong, loyal & returning customer base,” he added.
Hooters management announced that the new Pattaya restaurant is officially the largest international Hooters outside of North America, with approximately 3,300 square meters of floor area that can accommodate 564 seats, two bars, 40 high definition televisions and two outdoor patios perfect for enjoying scenic views of the Gulf of Thailand.
The restaurant offers 3,300 square meters of floor space on 2 levels, with 2 main bars and 40 large high definition TV’s.
“The decision to open the largest international Hooters right here in Pattaya was somewhat certain as soon as Destination Resorts had ownership of the Thailand franchise,” said Mike. “Pattaya is a location which is booming all year round with a party vibe in the terms of everyone who comes here wanting to have fun. With its close proximity to Bangkok, there are visitors coming and going so again it was an obvious chose of location.”
As well as its extensive dining facilities, serving its famous chicken wings, burgers, ribs and seafood dishes with a wide choice of salad & sides, Hooters Pattaya also boasts live music and DJs along with the city’s one and only mechanical bull, available for customers to ride free of charge from the age of 15 years and up.
General Manager Mike Warde (front centre) and his team welcome you to the Hooters experience in Pattaya.
The restaurant runs daily food and drink promotions and plans to hold regular charity events throughout the year to help raise funds for the local Baan Jing Jai children’s orphanage.
Finally, the Hooters concept would be nothing without its famous Hooters girls who provide their world-renowned hospitality and service with a beaming smile.
Members of the public can try out their rodeo skills on the city’s one and only mechanical bull.
“The global appeal of Hooters is the consistently great friendly service, food and fun atmosphere,” said Mike. “Every restaurant has waitresses, but only we have Hooters girls and each and every one of them is trained to provide each customer with the ultimate Hooters experience and this is what makes our customers come back time & time again. This is the ultimate reason that Hooters is such an iconic brand & still going strong after 33 years.”
For more information about Hooters Pattaya, visit website: www.hooterspattaya.com.
Pattaya Mail’s Pratheep ‘Peter’ Malhotra (6th right), Dr Iain Corness (6th left) and Paul Strachan (5th left) pose for a photo with Hooters Pattaya General Manager Mike Warde and his staff during the grand opening party.
Drummers perform during the opening ceremony.
Hooters girls on parade flash a smile during the grand opening of Hooters Pattaya on January 16.
