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'Hooters Airways' Takes to the Skies--Source: Associated Press
The chairman of the popular Hooters restaurant is considering expanding his business ventures into the airways. Robert Brooks is contemplating purchasing Vanguard, a discount airline that filled Chapter 11 bankruptcy, laid off 90% of its employees, and grounded its planes last month. The bankruptcy judge granted vanguard a $50,000 per week allowance to pay skeletal staff over the next three weeks while Brooks investigates the company's financial records and decides if he wants to purchase the airline.
A recently formed company named Hooters Air Inc would make the company's payments. The big question is, "Just what kind of airline would Hooters Air Inc. be?" Vanguard spokeswoman, Elizabeth Cattwell, told the Associated Press (AP) that it's too soon to know.
"If it'll be 'Hooters Girls' flight attendants, it's too early," Cattell added. Cattell didn't deny the possibility, the AP reported. Brooks initially founded a company called Eastern Foods in 1966, which makes dressings and sauces.
In 1983 Hooters was founded. Brooks, and investors in Atlanta, purchased expansion and franchise rights for the chain a year later. Brooks eventually became the chairman, buying majority control of the company.
While Vanguard had never shown a yearly profit, the terrorist attack of September 11 forced the airline into bankruptcy along with three other airlines. While Brooks is mulling over the possibility of purchasing the airline, Vanguard employees are preparing for both a possible return to flying and a possible liquidation.
According to the AP, Vanguard attorney Dan Flanigan said Brooks' interest came out of the blue. "He came out of such an unusual place -- no one would have predicted it would be him we would be talking to at this point," Flanigan said.
Vanguard served Myrtle Beach, S.C., where Brooks lives. "So he is very much a supporter of Myrtle Beach, and the termination of Vanguard was disturbing to all of Myrtle Beach," Brooks' Atlanta-based attorney, A.J. Block, told the AP.
Brooks also has a strong interest in aviation and owns an airplane, although he doesn't fly it himself, Block said. While analysts have expressed doubts that Vanguard could secure alternate financial help to stay in business, rumors suggest there may be other potential investors should Brooks walk away from the option.
For those of you outside the U.S.--Hooters is a chain of restaurants where all the waitresses have big breasts and wear very tight and skimpy T-shirts and shorts.
hOOters-- (+)(+) --
The chairman of the popular Hooters restaurant is considering expanding his business ventures into the airways. Robert Brooks is contemplating purchasing Vanguard, a discount airline that filled Chapter 11 bankruptcy, laid off 90% of its employees, and grounded its planes last month. The bankruptcy judge granted vanguard a $50,000 per week allowance to pay skeletal staff over the next three weeks while Brooks investigates the company's financial records and decides if he wants to purchase the airline.
A recently formed company named Hooters Air Inc would make the company's payments. The big question is, "Just what kind of airline would Hooters Air Inc. be?" Vanguard spokeswoman, Elizabeth Cattwell, told the Associated Press (AP) that it's too soon to know.
"If it'll be 'Hooters Girls' flight attendants, it's too early," Cattell added. Cattell didn't deny the possibility, the AP reported. Brooks initially founded a company called Eastern Foods in 1966, which makes dressings and sauces.
In 1983 Hooters was founded. Brooks, and investors in Atlanta, purchased expansion and franchise rights for the chain a year later. Brooks eventually became the chairman, buying majority control of the company.
While Vanguard had never shown a yearly profit, the terrorist attack of September 11 forced the airline into bankruptcy along with three other airlines. While Brooks is mulling over the possibility of purchasing the airline, Vanguard employees are preparing for both a possible return to flying and a possible liquidation.
According to the AP, Vanguard attorney Dan Flanigan said Brooks' interest came out of the blue. "He came out of such an unusual place -- no one would have predicted it would be him we would be talking to at this point," Flanigan said.
Vanguard served Myrtle Beach, S.C., where Brooks lives. "So he is very much a supporter of Myrtle Beach, and the termination of Vanguard was disturbing to all of Myrtle Beach," Brooks' Atlanta-based attorney, A.J. Block, told the AP.
Brooks also has a strong interest in aviation and owns an airplane, although he doesn't fly it himself, Block said. While analysts have expressed doubts that Vanguard could secure alternate financial help to stay in business, rumors suggest there may be other potential investors should Brooks walk away from the option.
For those of you outside the U.S.--Hooters is a chain of restaurants where all the waitresses have big breasts and wear very tight and skimpy T-shirts and shorts.
hOOters-- (+)(+) --
