7 Brazen Breastaurants in the U.S. in 2014

Bikinis Sports Bar and Grill
The Lone Star State is home to Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill, begun in 2006 and owned by Austin-based ATX Brands. “I’m very optimistic about the segment,” CEO Doug Guller told Nation's Restaurant News last year.
“There’s a lot of competition as the breastaurant industry has seen success over the last 5 to 10 years. It’s a somewhat recession-resilient industry. I don’t think food, booze, sports or sex are going to die anytime soon.” The chain trademarked the "breastaurant" term and a couple of years ago bought a ghost town not far from Austin, boldly renaming it "Bikinis, Texas."

Bone Daddy’s House of Smoke
With 6 locations in Texas, this chain boldly claims that its food, including its juke joint-sliced brisket and its "smokin' pulled pork," is "the other reason you're here." Bone Daddy's restaurants made an average of $5 million each in sales in 2011 and are company-owned, with no plans to franchise. Originally calling itself "the Hooters of barbecue," it was recently named one of the 100 best barbecue restaurants in the U.S.

Cowgirls Espresso
Who said breastaurants serve only red meat? Launched in 2002, Cowgirls Espresso, with 15 locations in the greater Seattle/Tacoma area, serves lattes, mochas, and its "famous 32-ounce Buckin' Bronco" (4 espresso shots in 32 ounces of a cold beverage), which is "guaranteed to put the starch back in the ol' blue jeans." The restaurant dishes out pastries and treats, too, and, in summertime, iced Italian soda.

Hooters
The biggest and the oldest of the breastaurant chains, Hooters is franchisor and operator of more than 412 restaurants in 44 states and 27 countries. "Everyone is liberated from the ordinary while enjoying great food, fun and uniquely-Hooters service," says the company. It's also aware of its growing competition over the past few years. To revitalize itself, it recently introduced a new decor plus a variety of fresh menu items, such as chopped cobb salad and New England-style clam chowder.

Mugs 'n Jugs Sports Bar & Grill
Located in Clearwater, Florida, Mugs 'N Jugs says its claim to fame is its "huge award-winning wings" and its other great sports bar fare. It offers karaoke most nights, while sports occupy its flatscreen TVs; a game room offers another entertainment outlet. Here's a surprise: Tuesday night is family night; kids under 12 eat free with the purchase of a $6.99 adult entree.

Tilted Kilt
Based in Tempe, AZ, Tilted Kilt first opened in 2003 as a contemporary Celtic-themed sports pub. Its tagline: "A Cold Beer Never Looked So Good." With 90 restaurants in the U.S. and Canada, the chain serves fish & chips and shepherd’s pie as well as burgers; it has 44 beers on tap. Servers wear mini-kilts made of an original tartan plaid and the Tilted Kilt is now recruiting male bartenders. In 2011 the chain had annual sales of $124
million, reflecting growth of 33 percent, according to Technomic.

Twin Peaks
With servers who show a "hint of sass" and a "girl-next-door image," Twin Peaks sprang up in 2005 in Texas and now has 23 locations. The award-winning chain in 2011 was named Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association and stresses its "hearty made-from-scratch comfort food." It plans to open 25 franchised and corporate locations in 2014.