It’s shaping up to be a big year for Hooters bartender/server Grace Burchett of Fort Myers.

Burchett, 25, is already being featured as Miss March in the 2023 Hooters swimsuit calendar. Now she’s traveling to Las Vegas next week to compete in the 26th annual Miss Hooters International pageant, too.

Burchett − who works at the Naples Hooters − says she can’t wait to hit Vegas for the first time and step onto the stage Thursday, Aug. 3 at Caesars Palace. She’ll be one of 50 U.S. women competing for the Miss Hooters International crown and the $30,000 grand prize.

Surprise! You’re in the Hooters pageant

It’s a place Burchett never expected to be at all, she says. Quite literally.

“You know, I actually did not apply for it,” says Burchett, who worked at the Fort Myers Beach Hooters until Hurricane Ian destroyed it. “Because I was so nervous. The whole idea − it’s such a huge honor, and I know that it’s a big undertaking. And I kind of shied away from it for that reason.”

But then Kristi Quarles − marketing director for LTP Management, the company that owns and operates the Naples Hooters and 15 others in Florida – went ahead and submitted Burchett’s application and photos for her.

“I’m so glad she did,” Burchett says. “Because I’m really excited. The closer we get to pageant, the more excited I am about it.”

The Miss Hooters International pageant will be livestreamed at Hooters restaurants nationwide at 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 3.

Before that, people can vote for the winner of the competition’s Miss Fan Favorite category. You can vote online up to five times per day now through Wednesday, Aug. 2. The winner gets $2,000.

Which Florida Hooters women are competing in Miss Hooters International?

Burchett is one of two Florida women competing in the event, according to LTP/Hooters publicist Ilona Wolpin. She’ll be joined by Gracie Williams of the Weston Hooters.

To prepare for the event, Burchett and Williams have been meeting a pageant coach every week in Fort Lauderdale to practice their pageant walk, drill possible interview questions and do everything they can to get ready.

“He’s phenomenal,” Burchett says. “He’s been helping us fine-tune our walk, giving us little tips and tricks, and helping us just feel more prepared.”

Burchett and Williams will compete in three categories in the pageant: Cocktail dress, bikini and Hooters uniform. Then the top candidates will answer a question onstage.

Burchett says it would be “amazing” if she won, although she’s not quite sure what she’d do with that $30,000. “I’d like to think that I’d put a lot of that into savings,” she says and laughs. “That would be good for me.”

But even if she doesn’t win, Burchett says she’s looking forward to hanging out with her fellow Hooters employees and soaking up those Vegas vibes.

“I think it’ll be a just really good experience,” she says.