Hooters: A Shaw deal

“I’m so tired of being dubbed ‘The Hooters guy’,” says businessman Spencer Shaw, who resides at Ilala Ridge, not too far from the successful entertainment and eatery venue.

But one has to acknowledge that Spencer’s business instinct has used the platform of the opportunities he saw in the Hooters franchise as a springboard to broader success.

After spending a small fortune to secure the rights to 20 Hooters stores across South Africa (at a terrifying $75 000 per store), Spencer’s dream was set in motion. In addition to the Durban store, he now has a Hooters in Johannesburg (the largest Hooters per square metre in the world), a Hooters hospitality box at King’s Park rugby stadium, and begins construction in Cape Town (Durbanville) in January.

Along with the franchise comes an events management company, the securing of the rights to produce and distribute Hooters hats, shirts and other merchandise around the world, and a new initiative to develop Monks’ Famous Peri Peri (with well-known local muso Harry Monks) and distribute it to the world. Spencer is looking to go national with his food management company SG Shaw Foods.

Exhausted

Spencer leaves me exhausted as he rattles off the endless stream of projects he’s undertaking. Two years ago he met Alan Ritchie, an Irish carpenter who had settled in SA, and the two established Ritchie Shaw Construction, which has built the two existing Hooters stores in their entirety and the headquarters of Que Model Management in Jo’burg, plus they’ve undertaken countless refurbishment projects. “Alan’s a genius at what he does,” says Spencer.

Spotting a gap in the market Alan (who has a background in modelling) and Spencer established Que Model Management along with owner/director Gordon Jestin, a top end management agency that has secured the services of leading managers in the industry.

“This business has gone ballistic. We’re looking for the next big thing, the girl who is going to take the world by storm. We do have a lot of girls applying for positions at Hooters. Some of them are clearly top model candidates and we rather direct them to Que Model Management. The Hooters girls have more of a girl-next-door look and attitude but, having said that some of our Hooters women are now professional models.”

Which leads me back to Hooters Umhlanga. “Hooters is a fun, family restaurant, and in the evenings we move into pub trading. We’re not a late-night venue, we call last rounds here at about 11.30pm on average. The food is good, wholesome pub fair with generous portions. It took South Africans a while to catch on but now things are really moving for us.”

Incredibly festive

Spencer expects December and January to be incredibly festive. “Last year, visitors from up-country didn’t even know we existed. But we were full most nights anyway. Now that they all know we’re here, we’re expecting to be run off our feet.”

Hooters Umhlanga has a promotions arm which is working flat out to ensure it maximises revenues this festive season. In the pipeline at Hooters are daily specials, plus Hooters will be providing bar facilities at all the matric rage parties at the Wave House, Gateway, in association with G&G Productions. Hooters girls and bar are also the chosen service provider for the Fight Force fight nights. And the go-getter Hooters team will have a presence at Splashy Fen next year, possibly hosting a comedy showcase, bikini competitions etc . . .

“I reckon I have about 400 people working under me. It can be a bit overwhelming at times,” admits Spencer. “It’s important to take time out and relax by going to gym or mountain biking. I aim to stick to my recipe for success and keep all checks and controls in place as we grow.”

The Spencer Shaw empire marches on.

Hooters Rocks (Umhlanga): 031 561 2744
Hooters Buzz (Johannesburg) 011 658 0311