Hooters Closes River North Restaurant in Chicago
The Wells Street location shuts its doors after serving the neighborhood for 35 years.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Dining Out
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Hooters has closed its long-standing restaurant located at 660 N. Wells Street in the River North neighborhood. The company cited neighborhood changes and development as the primary reasons for exiting the location.
Why it matters
The closure follows a broader trend of commercial exits in the area, including the shuttering of nearby dining establishments like True Food Kitchen and Sugar Factory. Hooters previously closed dozens of locations nationwide following a 2025 bankruptcy filing.
The River North Hooters served the community for 35 years after opening in 1991. The brand continues to maintain a regional presence with 13 franchise locations and two Hoots Wings sites.
The players
Hooters
An international restaurant chain known for its signature wings and waitstaff that has recently navigated a complex bankruptcy restructuring.
The details
The decision to vacate the property was attributed to significant shifts in the neighborhood landscape and increased local development. This closure marks another departure in the vicinity, joining the ranks of other shuttered venues like the former True Food Kitchen on Erie Street and the Sugar Factory on Grand Avenue.
Timeline
The River North restaurant first opened its doors to the public in 1991.
The restaurant chain shuttered dozens of locations following a bankruptcy filing in 2025.
The River North Hooters location officially closed in October 2026.
Culture Shift
The closure of Hooters follows the recent exits of other local staples like True Food Kitchen and Sugar Factory, reflecting a broader pattern of neighborhood transformation in River North. These departures highlight how evolving development trends are reshaping the local dining landscape.
Chicago diners who frequented the Wells Street location will need to visit alternative Hooters franchises in areas like Aurora, Schaumburg, or Orland Park. Residents should anticipate further changes to the block as development continues to displace long-standing commercial tenants.
The takeaway
The end of this 35-year run serves as a reminder of how rapidly neighborhood development can alter the availability of familiar dining mainstays. Long-time patrons looking for the brand's signature menu items should check for updated operating status at the remaining suburban franchise locations.
Further reading
For more on the changing local restaurant scene, visit the Dining Out section.
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