Bob Brooks, chairman of the Hooters of America restaurant chain, which is famous for its scantily clad waitresses, was rebuffed earlier this year in his effort to acquire the bankrupt and grounded Vanguard Airlines.

But Hooters announced Dec. 26 that Brooks has acquired Pace Airlines, an established Winston-Salem, N.C.-based charter operator with 17 Boeing aircraft used to provide service for various sports teams, corporate customers and tour operators.

Hooters said Brooks plans to establish a charter service, operating under the name Hooters Air, to provide leisure travel services for the golf and sports industry, with Myrtle Beach, S.C., as a prime destination.

“The extent to which the famous restaurant`s brand representation will be used in that operation, beyond the name, is a work in progress,” Hooters said in a statement.

Hooters said Pace`s current operations and programs will continue, with any new Hooters service operated separately.

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