- Casual Dining Restaurant Franchise Eyes 20 Percent Annual Growth -

ATLANTA and SEATTLE, July 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Hooters of America, Inc. and Colliers International jointly announced today that the iconic restaurant company is undertaking an ambitious worldwide expansion, with plans to increase its location count by at least 15 - 20 percent annually over the next several years. The high profile chain currently has more than 455 locations worldwide with restaurants in 29 countries on six continents.

To expedite this aggressive expansion plan and increase its global presence, Hooters has selected Colliers International as its preferred real estate provider, to both identify new locations and negotiate lease terms, as well as advice on tactical planning for optimal branding exposure. With more than 480 offices in 61 countries, Colliers International is consistently ranked as one of the world's top commercial real estate organizations, as well as a top outsourcing company.

"Colliers International has respected, seasoned retail and restaurant specialists across their global enterprise and one of the most well-respected brands in the real estate industry," said Michael P. Locey, Hooters Vice President of Strategic Development. "We are confident that they will help our franchisees find superior locations faster and negotiate better terms."

"Hooters is one of the most distinctive and recognizable casual dining restaurant chains in the world, with a tremendous platform for growth," said Scott Thiell, Managing Director of Colliers Retail Services Group, who leads the Hooters real estate efforts. Assisted by Patrick Duffy, Chairman of Colliers Retail Services Group, Thiell will also work with regional Colliers International directors in the Pacific Rim, Latin America, North America, Eastern and Western Europe and Africa. "We have a long-standing relationship with Hooters globally, with expectations that Hooters-- and its dominant brand -- will be a large draw worldwide."

Hooters' ideal locations -- ranging between 3,000 and 5,000 square feet (280 to 465 m2)( )typically boast retail, office, hotel, tourism, festival, urban and industrial traffic drivers. Hooters' guests represent a wide variety of demographic backgrounds and categories, including professional, trades, sports teams, military and families. Hooters also has a flexible design concept, which allows for freestanding or in-line locations, and will consider conversion space and new builds.

About Hooters of America, Inc

Hooters of America, Inc. is the franchisor and operator of over 455 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 29 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 nearly world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls. For more information about Hooters visit www.hooters.com.

About Colliers International

Colliers International is a global leader in real estate services with more than 15,000 professionals operating out of 480 offices in 61 countries. As a subsidiary of FirstService Corporation (Nasdaq: FSRV; TSX: FSV and FSV.PR.U), Colliers offers the stability of a strong financial partner and significant local ownership providing clients with accountability and enterprising real estate solutions. Colliers provides a full range of services to real estate users, owners and investors worldwide including: global corporate solutions; sales and lease brokerage; property and asset management; project management; hotel investment sales and consulting; property valuation and appraisal services; mortgage banking and insightful research. The Lipsey Company and National Real Estate Investor magazine ranked Colliers International as the world's number two commercial real estate brand.

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SOURCE Colliers International