ATLANTA, GA – July 6, 2016 – Hooters is taking over Las Vegas this July with back-to-back annual competitions at Palms Casino Resort from July 11-13, including the 20th Annual Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant and Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship. In a matter of days, two individuals will depart Vegas with bragging rights and impressive titles: 2016 Miss Hooters International and 2016 Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Champion.
On Wednesday, July 13, at the Pearl Theater, 80 beautiful Hooters Girls from across the U.S. and around the world will compete in the 20th Annual Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant. The 2016 Miss Hooters International title comes with a $30,000 cash prize and the chance to serve as the face of the iconic brand. The crowned pageant winner will become a brand ambassador, travel to assist in international openings and contribute to marketing initiatives and special events throughout the year.
Contestants are evaluated based on responses to interview questions, personality and overall contribution to the iconic Hooters brand, as well as swimsuit attire. A six-person panel of judges includes
Lynn Austin, the original Hooters Girl; Rich Davis, host of Convino & Rich on Sirius XM RUSH; Forrest Griffin, Ultimate Fighter coach and legend; Adam Hygema, Invictus Games gold-medalist and Navy veteran; Steel Lafferty, wakeboarding rising star; and Bonnie-Jill Laflin, first and only female NBA scout and former NFL cheerleader.
Hooters fans are invited to vote for Miss Fan Favorite at Pageant.Hooters.com and follow “hootersLIVE” on Snapchat for a backstage pass to all of the excitement of the Hooters pageant festivities and wing eating competition. Hooters fans and followers on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook can also follow the pageant action and contestant updates using the hashtag #HootersPageant. Lucky fans in Las Vegas can catch the Pageant live by purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster.
Prior to the Hooters Girls taking center stage, the world’s top professionally-ranked eaters will challenge each other in a grueling 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest of world-famous Hooters chicken wings. They’re aiming to taste victory in the fifth annual Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship. With every bite they’re one step closer to cash prizes and a coveted title of 2016 Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Champion.
The event, which is officially sanctioned by Major League Eating, kicks off poolside at Palms Casino Resort on Monday, July 11 at 8 p.m. PT. Fans will see defending Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Champion Matt Stonie battle longtime veteran Joey Chestnut along with other professional eaters. In 2015, Stonie ate 241 Hooters world-famous chicken wings in 10 minutes, outperforming Chestnut’s 200 wing tally to end his three-year reign as Hooters champ.
Hooters fans across America can participate in their own wing eating training days in preparation of National Chicken Wing Day, celebrated on Friday, July 29. On Mondays, July 4, 11 and 18, pros and average Joes across America can enjoy all the wings they can eat wings for one great price.
The celebrations and all you-can-eat chicken wings culminate on Chicken Wing Day Eve, July 28, and Chicken Wing Day, July 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s the American way.
After you chew on it, Hooters is asking fans to step up to their duty as a wing lover – and an American –and help answer The Great Debate – are you a drumstick devotee or flat fanatic? Fans can vote at wingvote.com.
To find your local National Chicken Wing Day offers and vote, visit wingvote.com. To learn more about Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Championship visit www.majorleagueeating.com. For more information about the Hooters International Swimsuit Pageant, visit Pageant.Hooters.com or visit Ticketmaster to purchase tickets.