Time and again, Hooters of America Inc. (est. 1983) has provided a safe space for men to chow down on specialty wings and enjoy the view, that is, the young, attractive, scantily clad women who comprise the operation’s waitstaff. The enterprise centers its identitty around female sex appeal and the male gaze.
The “Hooters Girls” are the cornerstone of the breastaurant.
The girls must adhere to stringent rules regarding their appearance and behavior on the floor, i.e. styled hair, immaculate nails, and enough makeup to clog your pores beyond repair. Let’s talk outfits, shall we? A heavy-duty push-up bra, completed with an XXXS tank, dangerously short orange runners’ shorts, sheer panthose, and sneakers whiter than Amy Poehler. The tank features the company’s infamous “Hootie the Owl” logo, though its customer base knows and understands the word “hooters” as a euphemism for titties galore.
In recent news, the company has come under fire for allegations of sex-based discrimination alongside structural racism, denounced for hiring female waitstaff that only conform to European standards of beauty. And last night, while watching the Undercover Boss episode on Hooters (S01, E02), I was not surprised to learn that its target market is almost entirely comprised of men, celibate but not by choice. Albeit problematic by nature, Hooters’ biggest proponents insist that their girls remain unphased by the sexually charged atmosphere. Instead, most see it to their advantage, taking home enough in wages (and tips) to look past blatant misogyny and occasional solicitations for sex.
Visit your local Hooters today, and don’t forget to tip!
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