Hooters and John Daly Put a Wing in the Swing

ATLANTA, April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Atlanta-based Hooters of America announced it will team up with professional golfer John Daly to help market the world famous Hooters restaurants and its various brands. Mr. Daly will sport Hooters' catchy owl logo on his apparel, golf bag and merchandise trailer at PGA and other golf events beginning with this week's Master's Tournament. The two-time major winner, with victories in the PGA Championship and British Open, will be featured in ads and promotions for the 400-unit restaurant chain, its airline, Hooters Air, the new Hooters Casino and Hotel scheduled to open in Las Vegas in 2006, plus many other Hooters products and events.

"I'm thrilled to formalize my relationship with the Hooters folks. We have been working together at the local store level for a number of years and it is really a perfect fit for me," stated Mr. Daly. John Daly spent his first few years as a professional on the Hooters tour (then called the TC Jordan Tour). He announced the launch of his "Lion" logo merchandise line at the Hooters of Augusta in 2000 and has since routinely parked his merchandise trailer and made appearances at dozens of Hooters restaurants during tournament weeks. Daly added, "I think the fans and media already view me as a spokesperson for Hooters because of the appearances I've made with the merchandise trailer through the years. Now I get to speak for all the restaurants and the million-plus guests a week that go through their doors."

Hooters and Daly are working on a line of co-branded golf-related merchandise items to sell in the stores, and Daly will also appear at the company's franchisee convention and host it's annual Memorial Cup Charity Golf outing. Because of his roots as a professional, John will be the Honorary Chairman of the NGA Hooters Tour, a developmental Tour for young professional golfers that was founded in 1989 and where Daly once played. "Our customers love John Daly," said Hooters Vice President of Marketing, Mike McNeil. "We have been asked to associate Hooters with a lot of successful golfers through the years, but John is the guy we wanted. He is unique, successful and a man of the people who doesn't really worry too much about what the establishment thinks. In fact, he is a lot like Hooters," added McNeil.

John Daly along with Hooters of America Chairman Bob Brooks will celebrate their new relationship at the Hooters of Augusta, located at 2834 Washington Road, from 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday, April 5. The public and press are invited.

Hooters of America, Inc. is the franchiser and operator of over 400 Hooters restaurants in 46 states and 16 foreign countries. The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida. 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 signature chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.