The bankruptcy filing of R.J. Fitz, Hooters of America's New England franchisee, may be the first of many if men's magazine Maxim enters the restaurant business. Reports on blogs Eater and Gawker suggest that New York restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow may convert his failing "English Is Italian" restaurant in Midtown Manhattan into "The Maxim Club," an eatery that will be based on the magazine of the same name. Considering Maxim and Hooters sell their products based on men's interest in scantily clad women, Hooters could be facing a serious rival. The only hope for Hooters is Chodorow's bad track record at the Midtown location. Before opening the Italian restaurant last year with chef Todd English, the location was home to Tuscan and other failed eateries, according to Eater. However, if The Maxim Club is a success, odds are Chodorow or Maxim will bring the concept to other cities and maybe even suburbia, and if the food is better than at Hooters — most fast-food chains serve better meals than Hooters — then expect to see more Chapter 11 filings like the R.J. Fitz filing. — Matthew Wurtzel
See Eater post
See Gawker post
See restaurant review from The New York Times
See related story about Hooters from The Deal
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