He described the Hooters concept as a 1950s and '60s casual beach theme, with a menu focused on seafood, sandwiches, chicken wings, and a staff featuring the famous Hooters Girls waitresses. The Hooters Girls, who generally wear shorts and t-shirts or halter tops, have been a source of marketing success, controversy, and litigation for the chain. But the company fought back with a publicity campaign that ridiculed its attackers, the EEOC backed off and the company settled the lawsuit without having to change its theme or policies. Hooters Girls appear on trading cards, calendars, magazines and television, and at sports events, charity functions and community gatherings. There are almost 10,000 Hooters Girls.
Managers hire women who best fit the all-American cheerleader image.
Local reaction Laurie Cook, chairwoman of the Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance, does not plan to be among those customers. Asked for her reaction to the new business coming to town, she said she's in favor of job expansion but not degradation of women. As a woman in a leadership position, I'm not thrilled that they're going to be here. I have my reservations, but other people can patronize it if they want to. It will provide jobs.