For nearly 40 years, Hooters has been one of the most successful and recognizable restaurant chains in America and all around the world. They’re known for their hot wings, cold beer, and of course — Hooter Girls.
Recently, the company announced changes to the Hooter Girl’s infamously iconic uniform. The outcry from employees as well as the public has been disturbing, thus forcing Hooters to rethink its strategy.
The Hooter Girls are usually made to wear an incredibly tight-fitting t-shirt or halter top, along with a pair of equally tight booty shorts.
However, the new uniforms look a lot less like shorts and a lot more like underwear.
Staff members have started speaking out about the new uniform on social media. One person referred to the booty shorts as “pornographic,” while another server wrote, “Love my job but don’t love wearing undies to work.”
With this, Hooters is adjusting its uniform policy to make its controversial new shorts optional in response to outcry from employees on social media.
According to a spokesperson for Hooters of America, staffers will now be permitted to choose between the new shorts – which some have described as so skimpy they’re “like underwear” – and the original longer shorts.
“As we continue to listen and update the image of the Hooters Girls, we are clarifying that they have the option to choose from traditional uniforms or the new ones,” the spokesperson wrote in an email to Insider. “They can determine which style of shorts best fits their body style and personal image.”
The company also claims that the uniform changes were made in collaboration with their employees and received positive feedback in restaurants that are located in Texas. They also added, “Our Hooters Girls are providing input at every stage including future clothing items and accessories.”
New York Post reported that Hooters has sent in a notice to their employees asking them to submit their resignation if the tiny trunks bother them.
In a statement to Fox News, Hooters of America, LLC said they are appreciating, “the feedback, both positive and negative, regarding a more accommodating and inclusive image policy on tattoos, jewelry nails, hairstyles, as well as new uniforms – to include new top styles, shorts, and the addition of socks.”
‘AWM’ added:
Hooters recently changed their uniforms to make them skimpier and tighter, which has many employees – and customers – upset about the change. Servers claim that they now have to wear booty-style underwear that resembles a thong, and women are comparing the shorts to a “pornographic” style.
Hooters of America operates more than 420 franchise locations across 42 states and 29 countries. Servers at these establishments will be showing off their booties in the new short shorts. However, twenty-five other Hooters restaurants owned by the Original Hooters Group did not participate in the uniform change, although they require servers to wear similar uniforms.