Hooters looking for more women – as customers
(Johnny Crawford, jcrawford@ajc.com)
It may come as no surprise that two-thirds of Hooters’ customers are men, no doubt drawn to the restaurant’s burgers and chicken wings.
And, possibly, the waitresses clad in tight shirts and orange shorts.
The Atlanta-based company with more than 450 locations, however, has embarked on a makeover to draw more women to its tables – as customers, according to a Bloomberg interview with company officials.
Chief Executive Officer Terry Marks recently told Bloomberg the company is including more items on the menu to attract women, like a better selection of fresh salad choices, and installing larger windows and more lights to brighten up the place and its dark-wood walls. More contemporary furnishings are also planned.
Chief Marketing Officer Dave Henninger told Bloomberg, “For those folks who are convinced there’s something to hide inside a Hooters, this new design should disabuse them of that notion.”
Marks, however, says the tight shirts and orange shorts will stay.
“There’s an opportunity to broaden the net without putting wool sweaters on the Hooters girls,” he said.
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84 comments Add your comment
Al Bundy
September 12th, 2012
6:08 pm
I went to a Tilted Kilt recently, and it made me really realize how dated and out of touch Hooters is now. They need a complete overhaul of their restaurants.
They need to update their decor, add a much greater selection to their menu, add a much better and larger beer and drink selection.
They also need to make their tv viewing for sports better.
Sparky
September 12th, 2012
6:18 pm
How about some hot men in orange shorts and tight t-shirts!
Mr. Skin
September 12th, 2012
6:19 pm
And 1985 called and they want their pantyhose back. Let’s see some skin. I agree with Mr. Bundy. The Kilt has it figured out.
missnadine
September 12th, 2012
6:19 pm
As a woman, I am not against Hooters but have no interest in going. The food is marginal, and the decor is ugly, and don’t get me started on the sunhose hose! Al is right, the place is just so dated, like 1980.
Ms. Wealth
September 12th, 2012
6:33 pm
There definitely needs to be a version of Hooter’s with hot, muscular, male waiters!!! I’m thinking thick locks of hair, no balding whatsoever and a hot well toned body!! So us some skin men!!!!
Paul's got a small johnson
September 12th, 2012
6:34 pm
Can someone please tell me why do the Hooter girls still wear pantyhose?? I have never understood this.
In the early days of Hooters they didn’t wear pantyhose. Heck, back then they didn’t even wear bras. I understand the bra……. but why pantyhose….those things freak most men out.
Hooters needs to worry about how to keep customers in general…and not just how to lure women customers.
A lot of breastaurant choices out there….there are now upstart choices from Mugs n Jugs, to Twin Peaks, and the aforementioned Tilted Kilt.
Hooters—ditch the 1985 pantyhose.
Cheryl
September 12th, 2012
6:36 pm
Tear the whole place down and start over.
Renee
September 12th, 2012
6:41 pm
Better food. The chicken is always dry. Men with Tight shorts for sure and maybe no shirts. Also I like the female outfits as is. They are way more tasteful than Tilted Kilt.
Judge Smails
September 12th, 2012
6:49 pm
Face it folks…No one goes to Hooters for the food. If they did, it would be better than it is.
And what woman wants to go to a place where she is the ugliest in the room?
Really
September 12th, 2012
6:55 pm
Titled Kilt? Hooters? Terrible food and guys are not going home with any of the waitresses.
Aquagirl
September 12th, 2012
6:58 pm
I’m thinking thick locks of hair, no balding whatsoever and a hot well toned body!!
Unfortunately 95% of men think that description fits them. Hiring would be a nightmare.
yeps
September 12th, 2012
7:00 pm
Couple of things would help make it fun for ladies…
1. better food.. the current food blows, so anybody who says they are going for the food is full of shat
2. could be fun to put a bar for the ladies overlooking the kitchen and hire some hot men to work back there (wearing tight shorts and an apron?)
Hooter Kilt
September 12th, 2012
7:04 pm
I won’t patronize either one…am embarrassed by both and no menu items would ever change this woman’s mind about going. So outdated…
Kat
September 12th, 2012
7:08 pm
I am a woman, around half a century old – I admit, I really enjoy Hooters. The food is fabulous. I don’t mind the skimpy teenagers as waitresses with the men gawking at them. It’s amusing people watching. Go Hooters!
Ms. Information
September 12th, 2012
7:11 pm
Heterosexual women do not want to see women’s breasts while we are eating..chatting about boyfriends, husbands and children..no thanks Hooters.
KJ
September 12th, 2012
7:20 pm
“Unfortunately 95% of men think that description fits them”
Right, it’s the MEN in this country that have the self-image delusions. The MEN.
UGA Soccer Girls
September 12th, 2012
7:36 pm
Just keep the stolen hashbrowns outside the girl’s pantyhose.
bajeha
September 12th, 2012
7:46 pm
My suggestions for Hooters’ CEO? 1.) Change the name. 2.) Do an extreme makeover of the corporate philosophy, business model, employees, decor and menu to be more respectful of and attractive to female customers. 3.) Promote the heck out of your new brand.
Fact: Changing the menu alone won’t get smart women with money to spend it in a restaurant that objectifies their sex so blatantly. If Hooters really wants and needs their business, then it will have to make over its outdated image to be more competitive and profitable.
Regards, a former customer of the original Hooters restaurant in Clearwater, FL.
Dum-Bass
September 12th, 2012
7:47 pm
I’m amazed no one has brought this up already. It’s simple, wouldn’t have to change a thing. Go after the lesbian crowd! Geeezzzz! Do I have to think of everything for ya! If you need my address for the royalty checks let me know.
JCJenny
September 12th, 2012
7:51 pm
I am a woman and have been a customer of Hooters since I was in college. You cannot beat their COLD beer and wings!! I GO THERE BECAUSE I LIKE THE FOOD!!! I don’t consider the outfits offensive by any means and the waitresses have always been very nice and respectful. We bring our daughter with us too! We are turning into such a WIMPY SOCIETY. GROW A PAIR!
Joe
September 12th, 2012
8:00 pm
Don’t see what the big deal is I have been to both places and HOOTERS is TOPS!! For those of you who say the menu sucks try the fish tacos or the grilled fish sandwish they ROCK!! Or try some different flavored wings.
Bob the Blogger
September 12th, 2012
8:27 pm
The food at Hooters is just marginal at best. My buddies and I use to go a lot, but the food was so mediocre that we started going to other restaurants to eat, then go to Hooters for a beer. Obviously the girls are the main attraction, but you have to have good food.
Ford
September 12th, 2012
8:28 pm
Please…pantyhose are NOT worn anymore,except at Hooter’s. Shorts with pantyhose are repulsive.
Fart Simpson
September 12th, 2012
8:50 pm
Twin Peaks is way better. Bigger boobs, better food, and no pantyhose!!
HootersNeedsHelp
September 12th, 2012
8:53 pm
I am not a big fan of Hooters, Twin Peaks or Tilted Kilt. Tilted Kilt is the absolute worst. The girls are all tattooed up and look like they fell into a tackle box with all the piercings. The food is the absolute worst. The one on Holcomb Bridge closed. Twin Peaks is not much better. Compared to Twin Peaks or Tilted Kilt, Hooters is head and shoulders above in terms of food, service and waitresses. Hooters is never going to get the 30+ female customer into its restaurant, but it can get the 18+ female customer in there. Market to the younger female crowd, change the uniform and update the restaurant decor.
Laila
September 12th, 2012
9:02 pm
NO TOPLESS MEN, please! I don’t want chest hairs in my food!
wyndero
September 12th, 2012
9:03 pm
Hooters wants to grow there business just like everyone else,but like everything in life once it stops growing it will die, thus the need for a new customer base. The ole school feel that is associated with there brand needs a makeover. Simple solution. Pay puffy,Jay z or someone of that nature and do an up to date make over. And ladies, you don’t support male based strip clubs so why would you go see this? And only YOUNG woman support places that have better looking woman than themselves.
Mike Cook
September 12th, 2012
9:40 pm
“Food is marginal” – you’re being WAY too generous. The food is terrible! Everywhere there are better wings. Agree with comments above – they are still in the 80’s.
Vote for Pedro
September 12th, 2012
10:07 pm
Eating at any of the aforementioned establishments is pure laziness. All Hooter’s gotta do is figure out how to get lazy women into their restaurants. How to do that? Sponsor Thursday tennis!
ABC
September 12th, 2012
10:10 pm
I’m a woman, looking at 40, and I have been going to Hooters since my college days. I actually love their wings. I don’t really care what the waitress looks like, and I really don’t care if she flirts with my husband, as long as she keeps the beer coming and the wings hot!
Dc
September 12th, 2012
10:41 pm
BS on the “noone goes to hooters for the food” comment. After the low carb craze they are the only decent breaded buffalo wings left in a major us chain…. Based on the waitresses ive seen lately, the wings and beer are the best features of the restaurant!
Michelle
September 13th, 2012
7:08 am
Nope, have no plans to go to Hooters or Tilted Kilt. Why in the world would we want to go look at scantily clad women?? Who are admittedly younger and in better shape? To remind ourselves of what we no longer look like? No thank you. My husband also has enough respect for me not to go to those places, either. We go to restaurants for the food, not anything else..
Loyal Customer
September 13th, 2012
7:10 am
I’ve been going to Hooters for quite sometime. I very much enjoy the wings. In fact so much that I get them to go most of the time. They have the best wings out there. As far as the decor, it could change. Maybe some more comfortable chairs and tables/booths? The new menu looks pretty good but I still prefer the wings. You want more women to come to the restaurant? Either split off the franchise and start a seperate Men in Uniform type restaurant or put up a dividing wall in the original stores with regular waitresses/waiters for that side. Although, I’m sure my wife would love visiting the Men in Uniform type restaurants. I can see the conflict of the dividing wall, I’d want to sit on Hooters Girl side and she would want to sit on the Men in Uniform side. Maybe you could give a choice of waiter/waitress or both? Just an idea…..
Loyal Customer
September 13th, 2012
7:25 am
You could also put the Hooters girls in jeans?
alex
September 13th, 2012
7:55 am
Why change what the heck has worked?
Renard
September 13th, 2012
7:56 am
This one’s easy, hire more well endowed men in spandex as waiters. LOL
name (required)
September 13th, 2012
8:30 am
Please don’t do this, Hooters. We go to your establishments to FORGET that there are so many fat or ugly women in the world. Don’t try to ATTRACT them.
Serious?
September 13th, 2012
8:38 am
To get more women in Hooters, add some sexy guy bartenders with no shirts and tons of muscles. Dark hair and blue eyes, nice and tall studs. We don’t want a salad and martini’s. Show us the MEN!! I go to Hooters just to see the men that come in there. The heck with the servers. Biker boys, I’ll see you on Sunday!! Woohoo to the Hoot!!!
Renee
September 13th, 2012
9:28 am
Better food would be a great place to start. Personally, I don’t care what the waitresses wear but the quality of the food in the Hooter’s locations in Gwinnett is just terrible. Also, those waitresses need to treat the female customers as well as they treat the men. You can’t attract female customers then ignore them when they are in your establishment.
Dicat
September 13th, 2012
9:31 am
Frankly, it is not the trashy looking outdated waitresses (the yucky uniforms and horrible panty hose – those poor ladies), its the food. Whatever grease they cook with makes me sick as a dog, so I’m pretty limited in my choices there, BUT I still go there with my husband because he LOVES the place and goes once a week (I don’t care how many times he goes). These ladies work hard for their money and many of them are working mothers or students trying to make a living. If you look that great and know how to wait tables…DO IT…go for it…make a good living for yourself. As far as the menu…yep…it needs updated in the worst way and the decor is cheesy – since my husband loves Hooters, I’ve been to MANY of them including the Vegas location…they all look equally outdated
tonaya
September 13th, 2012
9:32 am
if you want more women, stop objectifying women. what woman wants to go somewhere at look at her other women being displayed? if you like that kinda thing, have at it. most women aren’t turned on by it (big surprise?) and are not interested in paying your price for food that tastes like it came from the frozen food section. oh, another thing. some women do like unhealthy food. but you can get better unhealthy food at McDonald’s.
tonaya
September 13th, 2012
9:33 am
*should be “at other women” not “at her other..”
Ladies Man
September 13th, 2012
9:38 am
What’s so important about hair ladies? I have plenty on my back if it is that important to you. Want to run your fingers through it?
MyHusbandisNOTAllowed
September 13th, 2012
9:40 am
Carletta does not allow me to go to Hooter’s. EVER! My cousin’s wife let’s him go though. UMF
Too bad!
September 13th, 2012
9:47 am
You want more female customers? TOO BAD! This is the sexist, objectifying business model you built your “no pun intended in the name” food establishment upon. Now live with it. Based on the comments, there are still plenty of slobbering leches out there to keep you in business.
Too bad!
September 13th, 2012
9:48 am
Oh, and P.S. If you think women are staying away because the furniture isn’t pretty enough, you are more clueless and hopeless than I thought.
Robert
September 13th, 2012
9:54 am
As I read this article I asked the women seated at a table next to me what should Hooter’s do to attract more women customers? They all said use the same marketing strategy they use for men (young, attractive ladies) and hire young attractive body builders to work as waiters. Women will look at this the same way men do. There are lots of unemployed body builders who would love to work at Hooter’s just to get the attention from the female customers.
PMC
September 13th, 2012
9:54 am
Objectifying women? Isn’t that what you do to yourselves every time you go out?
Rachel
September 13th, 2012
10:07 am
The only reason I ever went to Hooters was to watch the Wrestling PPV’s. Why go there when I could hit just about any other sports bar in town?
HFT
September 13th, 2012
10:08 am
I am a long time customer of Hooters. (Yes, I am a female) I prefer their wings over any other restaurant! And, they have roasted oysters!
Lindsey
September 13th, 2012
10:15 am
I love hooters now. But if the girls just sported regular T-shirts instead of showing their stomachs and boobs year round a pair of Khakis instead of stockings and orange shorts, I think women would be more interested and actually take them as a family restaurant as they try to call themselves. Peak times could call for original time like weekends, important games maybe, but hooters isn’t awesome year round. And if they made the restaurants less cluttered I would love it even more.
Teacher, Too
September 13th, 2012
10:15 am
I have been going to Hooter’s since high school. It’s a typical beach bar– I love their wings and cold adult bevs. I don’t go often (lots of high calories!), but I always enjoy going with friends, and I’ve always been treated respectfully. The panty hose need to go…they are awful. Reminds me of C.J.’s in Gainesville, Florida. Ditch them.
Lillisue
September 13th, 2012
10:17 am
Put some male waiters in there with tight shorts and no shirts. I would come then. Oh yes, make sure they are buffed!!!!
Shawna Rae
September 13th, 2012
10:17 am
I actually really enjoy going to Hooters with my husband and kids. The ladies there are usually great and will hulahoop with my kids to help keep them entertained. The food could be a little better. I get it’s a “wings” kinda place but maybe add some BBQ, not just salads to the menue.
NeedaChange
September 13th, 2012
10:28 am
Went to Hooters once back in like 2000 and I was not impressed. A few people from work wanted to go there. I was like, what in the world are we doing here? I’m a woman and I didn’t think the food was good or that I belonged there. If they would structure the environment so that cool, sexy, professional men would go there instead pervs, it would naturally attract women. Until they do that, the pervs can have it all to themselves.
daemonova
September 13th, 2012
10:47 am
i think its appalling that we are looking to Tilted Kilt for inspiration. The one place that sales worse food than Hooters and has a darker atmosphere
pa allison
September 13th, 2012
11:36 am
It sickens me that this CEO would spend that kind of money on decor in this economy. Ownership, management, decor, nor food will ever attract a decent female clientele. Scantily clad women belong in male slobberhouse’s – not where you would take a date, friend, or wife. You have set this place up for Men Only – and the new decor will lure in more women – do you really think we are that stupid. Try revamping your whole place to Really include women like waiters in decent clothes and you see a lot more women in your place.
SM
September 13th, 2012
11:45 am
This all boils down to one question: WHY are you going somewhere to eat? If it’s for good food, then stay away from breastaurants… you won’t find good food there. Greasy, fried stuff… sure…. a salad you could make at home, yeah, but not “good” food. If you want to watch sports on TV, drink beer, and enjoy the company of hot, young women you WISH you could sleep with… go to Hooters, TK, or whatever. I’ve been to several different places that feature young women wait staff in less-than-normal clothing. All but one of them were set up as sports bars that serve mediocre food at high prices to help keep you spending time and money there on beer. The one exception was an actual restaurant where you sat in a booth, ate GOOD food, and the staff were young, attractive, fit coed-types that wore clingy, attractive black clothing. They weren’t matching outfits either, every girl wore her own clothes.
If you want to eat good food and look at scantily-clad women, go to the Cheetah and do it right. Otherwise, throw your money away on a $9 burger and fries with a $2.59 glass of soda and dream about the cute waitress jumping in your lap and begging you to go home with her because you gave her a 30% tip!
Hootie
September 13th, 2012
11:51 am
When will it end. First they take over Augusta and now Hooters? Why can’t us men have a place of our own.
Jack
September 13th, 2012
12:05 pm
A good start would be to improve the awful food Hooters serves.
Sara Tonin
September 13th, 2012
12:05 pm
All you “Hooters-Haters” who think they “objectify” women simply to make money are partially correct. They don’t do it out of malice, they do it because it works! I work at Hooters 4 days a week and do quite well when it comes to tips. My “part time job” is even better. It allows me to express myself through dance and I get to choose my own “uniforms.” (which invariably end up on the floor!) And by the way, I make enough to pay the mortgage on my condos in Buckhead AND Panama City, as well as the note on my Porsche and still have some left over. All legal and legit. All taxes paid. How about you ladies? Hmmmm?
just me
September 13th, 2012
12:17 pm
If Hooters could retain a steady crowd of men, they wouldn’t be trying to focus on attracting women. When a strip club is failing, they never say ‘hmmm, what can we do to get women in the door to save us.’ Hooters… face it, you will never get women to save you. Focus on attracting and retaining more men.
For my husband, he only goes to sports bars when he gets the random feeling of wanting to watch a major game outside of his precious man-cave. He needs tasty. affordable bar food and HUGE, HD TVs or projectors. If you can’t offer him these things, you won’t be getting his business either. (He can see big boobs at home)
just me
September 13th, 2012
12:21 pm
@ Sara Tonin
Please don’t think you invented the wheel. Women can get those things by stripping, we can also get those things WITHOUT stripping. You apparently can only attain those things by stripping. Bless your lil heart….
Bud Selig
September 13th, 2012
12:30 pm
Hooters here’s a hint—-modernize by improving the menu and dropping the pantyhose. This is not 1983.
Not Again
September 13th, 2012
12:40 pm
@Renard, Please, I can only work so many hours in a day. How about just sending the Ladies to my house and they can kick back and watch me work, in my spandex shorts. You never know, you might just get a peek at the Golden Temple!!!
Show Me Your TDs
September 13th, 2012
12:40 pm
Objectifying seems to be an individual insecurity!! LOL
blkshepherd
September 13th, 2012
12:57 pm
Sorry but this is INDEED a Sexist country. Suggestion: Open a new place. Call it Jock..for Women Only. Have the men serve in the Jock traps and Tank Tops. No Men allowed Unless you work in the kitchen. That should solve that.
There are some music artists that have For Women Only concerts..(Maxwell, R. Kelly, Teddy Pendergrass, etc were good for throwing those which are pretty successful. Women have the Right to see Skin just as men do. Personally I am not interested in tending either. Don’t care to see half naked people while I am enjoying my meal. Old school here, Put some damn clothes on. If you want to show skin Go to a BAR. . Prefer to see folks in Tux, and Dresses with closed shoes and hair tied back not floating around in my food or drinks.
John Oxendine
September 13th, 2012
1:05 pm
Hooters is a great place to go to pretend to be heterosexual.
blkshepherd
September 13th, 2012
1:07 pm
On second thought I pass altogether..Never been to hooters..always looked trashy to me and never saw the Point. But judging from the comments about the food not being that good. I doubt if I ever go in at all. No thanks.
Not Again
September 13th, 2012
1:08 pm
If they stop wearing pantyhose, then they will have to wear a hair-net for sure!!!
Kate
September 13th, 2012
1:12 pm
I’m a woman who enjoys good food and a good atmosphere, particularly one with good beer and wings. I also have no problem with strippers, legal brothels, Playboy, or porn. I respect the right of any woman to do what she wants with her brain or body. But it will be a cold day in Hell when I spend my hard-earned money in a restaurant whose only draw is women in stupid, skimpy outfits. You want my money? Then have your employees dress like professional, hard-working women… AND men. And improve your menu. Anything else and you’re just wasting money.
Teresa
September 13th, 2012
1:13 pm
I have eaten at Hooters 2 times in the past year and my advice would be to make better food. I told my husband “people sure dont come here for the food , do they?” The last time my cat got a 10 dollar fish and chips dinner.
Michelle
September 13th, 2012
2:33 pm
If you want to attract more women, hire young men with nice, hard bodies and tight shirts as waiters. I guarantee that will have the women (and probably some men) busting down the doors.
sue
September 14th, 2012
12:25 am
put some hot guys in wait on tables,wow,hot sexy guys,i all for it,
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Hookerstastesgoodtome
September 14th, 2012
4:16 pm
I always eat good at Hookers
I like the oysters
September 14th, 2012
9:49 pm
I haven’t been in a couple of years but I use to go for the Steamed Oyster Bucket! You can’t get steamed oysters at a lot of places. And the price was great, like 20 bucks for about 36 oysters that you get to shuck. Never really went for the waitresses, but they were pretty nice to look at too. I mean who doesn’t like to view some beautiful bossoms? They are soft, some of them, and bouncy. Their cheeseburger is the only other thing I have had there and it is great! Juicy and big! So I don’t get the hate for Hooters, it’s not for everybody and I rarely go, but the food I eat when I do go is not awful. I actually go there for the food.
Brad
September 15th, 2012
2:08 am
I can’t believe Hooters is still in business. Their food is nasty. Twin Peaks food is the best!
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[...] Hooters looking for more women – as customers The Atlanta-based company with more than 450 locations, notwithstanding, has embarked on a makeover to plan more women to its tables – as customers, according to a Bloomberg interview with company officials. Chief Executive Officer Terry Marks recently told … Read more on Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
HEY AQUAGIRL Fast Eddie
September 15th, 2012
2:16 pm
What do you look like…prob nasty and insecure like 95% of b*t*hes. I’m 42 and balding. However, I’m rock solid head to toe and still hook up with 25 yr old college girls get a life loser
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September 15th, 2012
3:49 pm
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guest
September 16th, 2012
9:29 am
been a regular for 12 years ,yes they need to do more to the menu its been the same those 12 years
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September 18th, 2012
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