Hooters is a franchised restaurant chain with over 400 branches in the United States and 27 other countries. Known colloquially as breastaurant (literally, "breast restaurant"), the chain employs approximately 17,000 waitresses, called the Hooters Girls. The standard uniform consists of a pair of skimpy orange shorts and a low-cut top, a look that encourages employees to leverage their sex appeal more than waitresses at other large restaurant chains.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Apply to Become a Hooters Girl
Step 1. Find out about the requirements
To work as a Hooters Girl, you usually don't need a lot of experience in the restaurant business. Most of the ads focus more on age (you must be at least 18) and the ability to keep fit while maintaining an attractive image.
If you gain experience in a restaurant or bar as a waitress and cashier, working as a team, you may have a greater competitive advantage in hiring. It is not strictly necessary in all branches, but the most famous ones consider the experience gained in a competitive professional environment
Step 2. Go ask for a job in person
You can find announcements in the "Careers" section of the website (www.hooters.com), but many Hooters Girls have managed to fill out the application form directly at a local.
- According to the company's manual, a self-respecting Hooters Girl should have a look inspired by a classic American cheerleader, surfer, or girl next door, so you should present yourself in a way that embodies at least one of these three body types..
- Dress professionally, but also in a way that enhances the body. You could wear a pair of dark skinny jeans with high boots and a shirt, pencil skirt, or dark bodycon dress (such as black or navy) when you go to apply for work. Your potential manager will notice this.
- Hooters does not typically hire male waiters, although it has faced several lawsuits in this regard. In 1997 he won a class action lawsuit against male plaintiffs, as hiring exclusively female staff is a basic professional requirement for good business performance (i.e. the company's core values would change if it started hiring male employees).
Step 3. Get an interview
If a Hooters branch needs to hire someone right away, you can do the interview after completing the application form. In any case, it is also possible that they will call you later. Use clothing similar to the one you chose when you went to inquire about how to apply.
- Show that you have a positive and cheerful disposition. Most of the ads call for nice, sunny and pleasant girls.
- Smile constantly during the interview, don't talk bad about past experiences, and don't complain about former employers. Emphasize your ability to connect with the public and converse with strangers.
- You will likely be asked questions about your past work experiences, your approach to customer service, how you handle stressful situations or work as a team, what hours you prefer, what is your availability, and so on.
Step 4. Sign a form called Acknowledgment form
If you are offered a job, you must sign this form, in which you declare that you understand that in the professional environment of Hooters it is normal to joke and make insinuations related to female sex appeal.
You must also state that you do not find your job duties, dress requirements, or professional environment offensive, threatening, hostile or unwelcome
Part 2 of 3: Working as a Hooters Girl
Step 1. Put on the uniform appropriately
According to the Hooters manual, the top must always be tucked into shorts. Don't show your belly. You must wear a white or flesh-colored bra that is not visible to customers.
- You must also wear tan-effect tights under your shorts. If you have darker skin, you can choose tights of a suitable color. It is not allowed to wear tights that are lighter than those with a tanned effect.
- As for shoes, put on white socks letting them go limp and white sneakers. The shoes must be exclusively of this color, high top model.
- If you have tattoos, they shouldn't be visible when you are wearing the uniform.
- You are not allowed to wear the Hooters uniform outside the venue. You shouldn't show it in other contexts.
- You should also be willing to pay for the extra uniform items (tops, shorts, tights, and so on). You will be provided with a uniform, but then you will need to buy all the items you need if it gets dirty or frayed.
Step 2. Comb your hair the right way
The Hooters manual strictly prohibits the use of ponytails or pigtails, hats and headbands. Hair should be worn loose, long and voluminous.
- After drying them, put on thick curlers for an hour to get more volume and waves.
- You should also try backcombing them at the roots and styling them with the brush, then spray some hairspray to make them even more voluminous.
Step 3. Enhance your features with makeup
Make-up is also essential to have a flawless look. According to the manual, you must always have a face ready to be photographed.
- To make up, you must first use foundation (to even out the complexion and cover redness), concealer (to hide imperfections and dark circles), lipstick, mascara and eyeshadow. You must have a natural complexion, but at the same time try to create a sexy effect. For the lips, go for colors like pink, coral and peach. Avoid burgundy or purple lipsticks.
- When it comes to eyeshadows, go for neutral shades, like brown and gray. Do not look for too intense effects, for example avoid electric blue, purple, marked eyeliner tails or smoky eyes effect. To have authentic American girl style you need to be cute and sexy, but still natural.
- You don't have to consider yourself a simple waitress, on the contrary, you can very well consider yourself a model who has been hired to play a sensual guide within Hooters, fulfilling the fantasies of the clientele.
Step 4. Don't overdo the accessories
Hooters invites you to use a few. The manual limits them to one necklace, two rings per hand and two earrings per ear. Chokers and tongue piercings are prohibited.
Step 5. Take care of your nails
Hooters Girl nails need to be nice and clean, with a French manicure or nude nail polish. If you put on your fake nails, make sure they are clean and repeat the treatment when they start chipping or cracking.
It is not allowed to use enamels of the following colors: black, gold, silver, purple, blue, green, yellow. Avoid any cosmetics that may suggest eccentric tastes
Step 6. Try to be punctual and professional
Arrive on time when you need to go to work, and be prepared to work with your colleagues if there are any problems establishing shifts. Most of the girls who work at Hooters have many other responsibilities, from study to family.
Try to have flexible hours. If in some periods you can do more shifts (for example in summer), then try to meet the needs of colleagues in difficulty
Step 7. Know the customers
In restaurants of this type, 75% of the clientele is male, most of them middle-aged. Unlike other restaurant chains, Hooters invites waitresses to build a relationship with their customers. Chat with people and offer personalized attention.
- Be friendly, cheerful, and engaging. Don't complain, don't make offensive jokes, and don't swear.
- Don't touch the customers. According to the rules of most restaurants, you can only touch them when you gird them around your waist at the time of taking a picture.
Step 8. Take care of customers in the round
According to Hooters, customers should be served scrupulously. If they order a mug of beer, pour it individually to each of them. Open all containers. Your job is to make sure they relax and eat.
Part 3 of 3: Keeping the Hooters Job
Step 1. Exercise regularly
Hooters points out that waitresses need to be fit, so not overweight or obese, or else they risk being fired. You will need to train at least three times a week to maintain the type of physique required by the company.
Try to walk, run, swim, cycle, or hike for at least 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week
Step 2. Understand the situation of the company
Following the 2008 recession, American restaurant chains (like The Olive Garden and Applebee's) have usually had a hard time attracting customers, while restaurants like Hooters (and similar venues like Twin Peaks and The Tilted Kilt) have grown instead. Many waitresses also claim to be tipped more heavily in such places.
Step 3. Know the risks
You may be earning larger tips at Hooters, but studies have shown that this can have psychological consequences for employees. In fact, Hooters Girls can be victims of lewd comments, groping, harassment and even stalking, in extreme cases.
- As a result, many waitresses in this type of establishment have suffered from depression, anxiety, anger and a sense of degradation. They often feel the constant pressure to maintain the beauty standards set by the company.
- If you start to feel this way while you work, reach out to your support network of colleagues, friends and family. Many waitresses bond with other Hooters Girls precisely because they share these kinds of problems.
