Every job has standards that aren’t exactly common knowledge. A Hooters girl recently revealed some aspects of their daily routine that she says would drive the average person bananas.
Jay (@secretarnoldpalmer) recently posted a pair of one-minute TikToks about what she describes as “things that are normal at Hooters that would send the average person into psychosis.”
According to Jay, the chain that specializes in scantily clad women and American bar food has some exacting requirements for the short-short-clad beauties for which it’s known.
These purported standards are arguably Hooters’ way of ensuring a consistent experience throughout its hundreds of locations. But some people were nevertheless taken aback.
Is Hooters In Trouble?
Hooters was once the gold standard of restaurants in its category. As the first of its kind, after bursting onto the market in Florida, naturally, in 1983, Hooters swiftly spread across the nation.
People, mostly men, couldn’t get enough of having a hot young thing in the now-iconic orange shorts bring them wings and beer.
But in recent years, Hooters has faltered. In March, it filed for bankruptcy.
Part of Hooters’ money problems may be due to brand fatigue. It’s also likely partly due to competition within the space from restaurants like Twin Peaks.
Now it’s attempting a brand revival. The Wall Street Journal reports that Hooters is undergoing a $30 million makeover. The plan: make Hooters “delightfully tacky” once again.
What Does Hooters Girl Say Servers Must Do Daily?
Jay’s description of a Hooters girl’s routine begins the moment they arrive.
“It is normal to have to do a 360 in front of your manager, so they can check that your uniform is perfect,” Jay says. This is true, she says, even if the manager is a man. “You have to do a 360 in booty shorts,” she elaborates.
Appearances are clearly of the utmost importance to Hooters, per her telling. She says that staff are graded every single day on their makeup.
“Like literally graded. You’re supposed to have a certain amount of blush, mascara, lipstick,” she says.
Wait staff better not eat too much of the high-fat items they serve, either. According to Jay, it’s normal and acceptable to be fired for gaining weight.
“You have to keep up with that,” she says, adding, “Thankfully my metabolism is pretty good.”
These exacting standards extend to their hair, per Jay. She claims that Hooters bans half-up, half-down hairdos. It does allow either all your hair to be up or down, however, she says.
No Breaks—But You’re Free (Expected) To Freeze
Jay’s video has over 2 million views as of this writing. At the end of it, she asks if people want a part two. The answer was a resounding yes.
In a second installment, Jay spills more tea about being a Hooters girl.
She says that servers don’t get breaks. This inspires her to wonder if this is common throughout the restaurant industry. (It is.)
People were appalled. “I think no break is illegal,” wrote one.
Some states do mandate breaks, but federal law does not require employers to provide them. But if you do get a break, it does mandate that you’re compensated for this time, per the Department of Labor.
Another allegation about Hooters’ working conditions that is giving some pause is Jay’s claim that they’re not allowed to wear winter gear. Not even if a table sits outside on a frigid December day, she says.
She also says that applying to work at Hooters has nothing to do with experience and everything to do with aesthetics. According to Jay, managers “swipe” through applicants’ photos like they’re looking for love.
“They’re just swiping through you like a Tinder match,” Jay says.
Her description of working at the 42-year-old chain has people thinking twice about working there.
“Oh this is hell lol,” wrote one.
Hooters’ press office didn’t respond to an emailed inquiry. Jay did not reply to BroBible’s direct messages sent via Instagram and TikTok.
@secretarnoldpalmerlover I did this at like 2 am after my shift I’m tired #fyp#foryou#foryoupage#hooters