Is the Hooters chain restaurant, which got its start right here in Clearwater, up for sale? That's what the New York Post says this morning, citing unnamed sources. Says the Post:

"Hooters has recently shopped itself to a number of private-equity firms as sales have sagged with the recession, sources said. The closely held company, meanwhile, is in advanced talks with a Connecticut-based investor that has been granted certain rights of refusal on any potential transaction, according to one source."

Hooters of America, Inc. is the Atlanta-based operator and franchiser of over 450 Hooters locations in 43 states in the United States and more than two dozen countries. The privately held corporation owns 122 units.

Here's the complete Post story. We'll let you know if there's more to this possible sale. (Hooters photo by Jim Damaske of the St. Petersburg Times.)

-- Robert Trigaux, Times Business Columnist