Owners of the Hooters franchise plan to have a Bismarck Hooters restaurant open by March 1, 2008.

Kerry Fernholz, part-owner of the Starmark Hospitality, which owns the North Dakota territory for the Hooters franchise, said he's excited about the plans for the Bismarck site. The new 5,800-square-foot restaurant will be at 3130 N. 14th St. between the north Applebee's and Wendy's and will employ about 45 people, Fernholz said.

Site plans have been reviewed and approved by the city planning office, said Kim Lee, city planner.

The building permit is still pending.

Fernholz said he and his partners purchased the franchise on Aug. 1 of this year, with aggressive plans to build in Grand Forks, Bismarck and possibly Minot.

There are more than 435 Hooters restaurants in the world; the company is based in Atlanta and known for its "beach theme,"Fernholz said.

Fernholz said the restaurants are becoming more of a family place, popular with school sports teams.

As for other eatery news up north, the Ruby Tuesday near Menards is on schedule to open Dec. 5, said franchise owner Todd Hoekstra, partner in the company Bismarck Cuisine.

The 5,000-square-foot restaurant sits on a 1.268-acre lot just north of Menards. Ruby Tuesday restaurants typically hire up to 75 employees.

(Reach reporter Crystal Reid at 250-8261 or at crystal.reid@;bismarcktribune .com.)