The automotive aftermarket sector has faced significant economic distress in the last year, with several auto parts retailers and manufacturers filing for bankruptcy protection to reorganize their businesses.

It's the latest restaurant chain to undergo restructuring, which will see it move from mostly company-owned to franchisee-owned locations.

Hooters, which has a restaurant in Wethersfield and about 300 locations nationwide, closed 40 restaurants last year, including one in Manchester.