Hooters of America LLC, the Atlanta-based franchisor and operator of more than 435 Hooters restaurants, has named Terrance M. Marks its new chief executive, following the departure of Coby Brooks, chief executive since 2003.
Brooks was the son of brand founder, the late Robert H. Brooks. In January, the Brooks estate sold Hooters to a group of private investors including H.I.G. Capital, KarpReilly and majority partner Chanticleer Holdings. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Marks, who will join Hooters this fall, most recently served as the chief executive of The Pantry Inc., which has more than 1,650 convenience stores in 13 states.
"I am thrilled to be returning to Atlanta and am very excited to be joining the Hooters team," Marks said.
Before overseeing The Pantry, Marks spent 21 years at Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. in sales, operations, finance and general management roles before assuming the role of president of Coca-Cola’s North America. In that position, he directed all sales, marketing, finance, operations, manufacturing, distribution, supply chain and human resources for the $15 billion enterprise with 55,000 employees in 400 locations.
"Throughout my career I have been privileged to experience both the power of world class brands and the excitement of nurturing the development of lesser known ones,” Marks said. “The opportunity to contribute to the growth of a great brand like Hooters is extremely energizing to me.
“In just a little over two decades Hooters has become known around the world for great American food, a fun environment and of course the iconic Hooters Girls,” Mark said. “This record of success is a credit to all those who have contributed to the development of the brand, and I look forward to working with the Hooters team as we lead the company into its next phase of growth."
Marks will direct the company from its Atlanta headquarters where the company has been based since 1984. Hooters restaurants are located in 44 states and 28 countries.
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