Who Owns HMC Hospitality Group?
Updated onExplore the ownership hierarchy of HMC Hospitality Group. See parent companies, holding structures, and ultimate controllers.
Ownership Chain
HMC Hospitality Group
HMC Hospitality Group is a privately held restaurant company, originally founded as Hooters Management Corp. in 1983, that operates the Original Hooters restaurants and related quick-service concepts such as Hoots Wings across markets including Tampa Bay and Chicago.
HMC Hospitality Group appears to be independent with no known parent company.
HMC Hospitality Group
HMC Hospitality Group is a privately held restaurant company, originally founded as Hooters Management Corp. in 1983, that operates the Original Hooters restaurants and related quick-service concepts such as Hoots Wings across markets including Tampa Bay and Chicago.
HMC Hospitality Group appears to be independent with no known parent company.
Major Shareholders
HMC Hospitality Group
Major Shareholders
| Name | Type | Ownership | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
L.D. Stewart One of the original six Hooters founders (“Hooters Six”). Media reports in March 2025 state that HMC Hospitality Group is owned by the six founders of the Hooters brand; exact individual equity stakes are not publicly disclosed. | Individual | — | Mar 2025 |
Gil DiGiannantonio Original Hooters founder and long‑time principal of the Original Hooters/HMC group. Listed as an officer/director of HMC Hospitality Group Inc. and identified in 2025 coverage as part of the six‑founder ownership group; specific percentage ownership is not public. | Individual | — | Mar 2025 |
Billy Ranieri Often referred to as “Uncle Billy” Ranieri; one of the six original Hooters founders. Included in the founder group reported in 2025 as owning HMC Hospitality Group; exact ownership share not disclosed. | Individual | — | Mar 2025 |
Ed Droste Original Hooters founder and long‑time owner/operator in the Clearwater group. Public corporate records list him as a director of related entities, and 2025 media describe HMC as owned by the six founders; no detailed cap‑table information is public. | Individual | — | Mar 2025 |
Dennis Johnson One of the six original Hooters founders and part of the Clearwater founding group behind HMC Hospitality Group. Reported as part of the six‑founder ownership group as of March 2025; specific equity percentage not disclosed. | Individual | — | Mar 2025 |
Ken Wimmer Original Hooters founder (partner with L.D. Stewart) and member of the “Hooters Six.” Included in the six‑founder group described in 2025 reporting as owning HMC Hospitality Group; individual ownership and voting percentages are not publicly available. | Individual | — | Mar 2025 |
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