Casting is officially underway for Hooters: The Movie, tracing the unlikely beginnings of one of America's most recognized brands. The film is being independently produced by members of the original Hooters founding partners. Leading the search to cast all roles are casting directors Lisa London and Catherine Stroud of London/Stroud Casting.
"We’re very excited to find amazing talent for this iconic story,” says Lisa London. “There is a lot of buzz in Hollywood about the project. We can’t wait to bring these two unsuspecting heroes of this American success story to the screen,” Stroud says.
Based on the real events behind Hooters' founding, Hooters: The Movie centers on Ted and Lenny, two lifelong friends from a small-town in Iowa who accidentally launch a national restaurant empire, only to find everything they built threatened by the federal government. The adventure begins when Ted becomes infatuated with Diane, whom he first sees from afar when featured in a spring break commercial. Determined to find her in real life, Ted talks a hesitant Lenny into joining him on a road trip to Clearwater Beach, Florida. Diane would later become the very first Hooters Girl.
Hooters began in 1983 as a single restaurant on Florida’s west coast and has since grown into a global brand with hundreds of locations and one of the most recognizable uniforms in American pop culture. Now, more than four decades later, some of the first founders are bringing their story to the big screen.
“I think people are going to enjoy watching how we were really just some guys who didn’t know what we were doing, but had a great time doing it,” said Ed Droste, Hooters Co-Founder and Producer. “There’s a lot of drama, but a lot of heart and fun too. And of course, our world-famous Hooters Girls are the real stars. For over 40 years Hooters has been America’s oasis in good times and bad. It’s time to deliver a taste of our big hearted culture and famous humor to the world.”
"From the moment I first learned the Hooters origin story, I knew it would make an incredible movie," said Jon Rosenbaum, Director. "It's the perfect combination of a hilarious buddy comedy and an inspiring biopic for a beloved American brand: Two lifelong friends with no idea what they're getting themselves into, a crazy idea they're willing to bet everything on, and a wild journey that culminates in the creation of something bigger than they could ever have imagined. It's not at all what people will be expecting – and it's mostly true! I can't wait to bring this story to life."
Jon Rosenbaum will direct the script written by Ed Droste, Phil Olson and Chuck Melcher. Rosenbaum is an Emmy-nominated director and producer whose feature credits include Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp and Benchwarmers 2: Breaking Balls. Principal photography is scheduled to begin in November 2026, filming primarily in the Tampa/Clearwater, Florida area, where the original Hooters restaurant opened in 1983.
Rosenbaum is represented by Ross Fineman at Fineman Entertainment and Brent Jordan Sherman at the Characters Talent Agency.
About Hooters: The Movie
Hooters: The Movie is a somewhat true story inspired by real events, with certain characters, events and timelines condensed or fictionalized for the screen. Independently produced by members of Hooters' original founding group, the film tells the story of an unlikely idea born in Clearwater, Florida, and the people who turned it into a cultural phenomenon.