Hooters owner buys Pace Airlines

tjwgrr · 12-27-2002, 11:25 AM

Breasts and thighs to be served on every flight........ ;-)

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Hooters restaurant owner buys North Carolina airline

The Associated Press
12/26/02 8:38 PM

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) -- The owner of the Hooters restaurant chain, dashed in an earlier attempt to buy an airline, has acquired a small North Carolina carrier with hopes of launching Hooters Air.

Hooters of America Inc. chairman Robert H. Brooks said Thursday he had bought Pace Airlines, a division of Piedmont Hawthorne Aviation.

The airline has 17 Boeing jets and 350 employees, most based near Piedmont's headquarters in Winston-Salem, N.C. Pace specializes in corporate shuttles and business jets, catering to sports teams, VIP business travelers and vacation charters.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"We would hope to stay in Winston-Salem, pending the outcome of negotiations," Darrell Richardson, president and chief executive of Pace, told the Winston-Salem Journal.

Messages left with Pace Airlines and Hooters of America by The Associated Press were not immediately returned Thursday.

In a news release, Brooks said he plans to establish a charter air service called Hooters Air and would provide leisure travel service for the golf industry to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Brooks also has a home there.

In September, bankrupt Vanguard Airlines Inc. rejected Brooks' offer to buy the assets of the failed Kansas City, Mo. company.

"While things did not work out with Vanguard, I learned through my due diligence efforts that the charter service segment is a healthier business arena and much better suited for extending the Hooters brand," Brooks said.

Hooters was founded in 1983, and Brooks and a group of Atlanta investors bought expansion and franchise rights for the chain in 1984. Brooks eventually bought majority control and became chairman in March.

Selling Pace allows Piedmont Hawthorne to focus solely on general-aviation services, said Dean Harton, the company's president and chief executive.

JOHN JOHNSON · 12-27-2002, 03:49 PM

I will wear dark sunglass and a cane.....Squeeze the buttock and see how firmness and softness of their steward.....They would not mind as long I stay blind......

David Hingtgen · 12-27-2002, 11:42 PM

"Hooters Air"? Last I heard, they wanted to call it Derry Air. (Think about how it'd be pronounced, if said quickly).

(Though I do think the FAA said "no" to to proposed name)

Bill G · 12-29-2002, 12:36 PM

Hooters 36D cleared for approach. I'm sure ATC will have fun with this.

Bill

Scott · 12-29-2002, 02:33 PM

Regional approach, Hooters 69 at 12,000 with breast..... er... bravo.

12-27-2002, 11:25 AM	#1
tjwgrr Senior Collector Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 471	Hooters owner buys Pace Airlines Breasts and thighs to be served on every flight........ ;-) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hooters restaurant owner buys North Carolina airline The Associated Press 12/26/02 8:38 PM WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) -- The owner of the Hooters restaurant chain, dashed in an earlier attempt to buy an airline, has acquired a small North Carolina carrier with hopes of launching Hooters Air. Hooters of America Inc. chairman Robert H. Brooks said Thursday he had bought Pace Airlines, a division of Piedmont Hawthorne Aviation. The airline has 17 Boeing jets and 350 employees, most based near Piedmont's headquarters in Winston-Salem, N.C. Pace specializes in corporate shuttles and business jets, catering to sports teams, VIP business travelers and vacation charters. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. "We would hope to stay in Winston-Salem, pending the outcome of negotiations," Darrell Richardson, president and chief executive of Pace, told the Winston-Salem Journal. Messages left with Pace Airlines and Hooters of America by The Associated Press were not immediately returned Thursday. In a news release, Brooks said he plans to establish a charter air service called Hooters Air and would provide leisure travel service for the golf industry to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Brooks also has a home there. In September, bankrupt Vanguard Airlines Inc. rejected Brooks' offer to buy the assets of the failed Kansas City, Mo. company. "While things did not work out with Vanguard, I learned through my due diligence efforts that the charter service segment is a healthier business arena and much better suited for extending the Hooters brand," Brooks said. Hooters was founded in 1983, and Brooks and a group of Atlanta investors bought expansion and franchise rights for the chain in 1984. Brooks eventually bought majority control and became chairman in March. Selling Pace allows Piedmont Hawthorne to focus solely on general-aviation services, said Dean Harton, the company's president and chief executive.

12-27-2002, 03:49 PM	#2
JOHN JOHNSON Mysterious Collector Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,196	Great! I will wear dark sunglass and a cane.....Squeeze the buttock and see how firmness and softness of their steward.....They would not mind as long I stay blind...... __________________ Who should I consider? Dumbocrat Clinton or Ruptublican Johnny Mc Cain? Jimmy Mc Donald Help me!

12-27-2002, 11:42 PM	#3
David Hingtgen Complete Wacko! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 4,055	"Hooters Air"? Last I heard, they wanted to call it Derry Air. (Think about how it'd be pronounced, if said quickly). (Though I do think the FAA said "no" to to proposed name) __________________ *We need more TWA twin-stripes!*

12-29-2002, 12:36 PM	#4
Bill G Insane Collector Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: St. Charles, MO Posts: 1,248	Call sign Hooters 36D cleared for approach. I'm sure ATC will have fun with this. Bill __________________ *Ozark Flies Your Way* FEES DON'T FLY AT SOUTHWEST

12-29-2002, 02:33 PM	#5
Scott Insane Collector Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Escondido, Ca. USA Age: 50 Posts: 2,763	Regional approach, Hooters 69 at 12,000 with breast..... er... bravo. __________________ Fly the Friendly Skies of United uniTED takes wing Feb 12, 2004

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