Hooters, the original American wing joint, has launched the month-long “Give A Hoot” annual fundraiser this October in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Raising awareness for the fight against breast cancer since October 2002, last year’s campaign generated $786,000 for the cause, resulting in a cumulative $9.4 million raised to date. This year Hooters staff and supporters have set an ambitious $1 million goal to help fund critical research in the fight against the illness. With a workforce including 18,000 Hooters Girls worldwide, many of whom have risen to the level of managers and executives, supporting women’s health remains a priority for the brand.
During the month of October, guests can support the Give A Hoot campaign at every Hooters location across America in the following ways:
- Attend local fundraising events at their favorite Hooters location
- Purchase a 2025 Hooters Calendar with $1 of each purchase designated to benefit breast cancer research – available in stores or online at Hooters.com/hooters-girls/calendar
- Indulge responsibly in limited-time signature “pink drinks” all month long to raise awareness and funds
- When settling checks, round up to the nearest dollar in support of breast cancer research
- Donate $1 or more to receive a personalized endowment card for display in the restaurant or as a personal keepsake
A yearly tradition, the “pink drinks” allow guests to raise a glass for women’s health and benefit a great cause, with $1 of each purchase helping the fight against breast cancer. Hooters’ signature Pink Daniels drink packs a flavorful punch mixing Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey with black cherry and Starry soda. For those living on island time, the Pink Passion mixes a tropical blend including Malibu Coconut Rum, Gran Gala, Triple Orange Liqueur, lime sour, mango purée and fruit juices.
“As a brand, we look forward to the Give A Hoot campaign every year as it enables us show up for the communities we serve in a meaningful way,” said Bruce Skala, Hooters chief marketing officer. “It wouldn’t be possible without the loyal guests, staff, Hooters Girls, Heart of House employees and everyone in between who are just as committed as we are. The dedication to this cause is truly remarkable, and we can’t wait to make an even bigger impact this fall.”
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer among women each year, with an estimated 310,720 new cases and 42,250 estimated deaths in 2024. As one in eight women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, there is a critical need for research funding to protect the lives of loved ones who may be diagnosed.
The Give A Hoot campaign honors Kelly Jo Dowd, an original Hooters Girl and the 1995 Hooters Calendar Cover Girl, who passed away from breast cancer in 2007. In her memory, all funds raised will go to the V Foundation for Cancer Research, a long-standing cancer research funding organization, as well as additional recipients through the Kelly Jo Dowd Breast Cancer Research Fund, part of the Hooters Community Endowment Fund (HOO.C.E.F.). Kelly’s passion for early detection, education, and fundraising for the cause is remembered now more than ever as the grants in her name help support research into therapeutic discovery, personalized cancer treatment, identifying stage-specific metastasis characteristics, and more.
The V Foundation, founded in 1993 by ESPN and Jim Valvano, has funded more than $310 million for life-altering cancer research grants nationwide. The foundation utilizes an endowment funded by the generosity of donors to cover all administrative expenses, resulting in 100% of direct donations to be used towards cancer research and programs. To learn more about The V Foundation for Cancer Research, please visit v.org.
For additional information about the Hooters #GiveAHoot fundraising campaign, visit Hooters.com/Give. Fans can also follow favorite Hooters Girls across social media channels -- x.com/hooters, facebook.com/hooters and instagram.com/hooters – for additional details about Give A Hoot events and how to donate or further support breast cancer research.
To find your nearest Hooters location, visit Hooters.com.