Hooters

Summary

Flightless Bird: "Hooters"

Host: David Farrier
Cohost: Rob
Date: February 10, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode of Flightless Bird, David Farrier—a journalist from New Zealand living in America—explores the uniquely American phenomenon that is Hooters, the restaurant chain renowned for its scantily-clad female staff, sports bar fare, and cultural controversies. With his signature blend of curiosity and humor, David, alongside cohost Rob, dives into the history, stereotypes, realities, and complexities of Hooters by speaking with past and present employees and reflecting on his own first visit to a Hooters location. The episode seeks to understand the chain’s social significance, how it has changed over time, and whether it can be both a site of objectification and female empowerment.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening Banter & Initial Impressions (00:05–05:08)

• David reconnects with Rosabelle and discusses their lack of recent contact, using it as a segue into the episode’s theme.
• The word “Hooters” is jokingly dissected for its dual meaning (boobs and owls), explicitly noting how American it is.
• Quote:
  “Now, today’s episode is about Hooters, the famous American restaurant chain... I’m scared of this episode. Two male podcasters embarking on a quest to find out about the Hooters restaurant chain seems to be a recipe for disaster.” — David (04:05)
• David admits apprehension about discussing a topic so tied to gender, sexuality, and potential controversy.

Hooters in the American Cultural Context (05:22–13:02)

• David and Rob share their limited knowledge of Hooters, drawing on what they’ve gleaned from pop culture (e.g., Big Daddy with Adam Sandler).
• Rob describes his discomfort visiting “breastaurant” chains (like Hooters and Bikinis), emphasizing awkwardness rather than enjoyment.
• They debate Hooters’ place in today’s America, noting its seemingly outdated premise.
• Quote:
  “Everything about this, again, sounds made up. Hated it. Hated every second. It’s uncomfortable.” — David to Rob (11:23)

Workplace Experience: Former Hooters Staff Voices (16:36–23:06)

• David features a montage of former Hooters employees’ stories:
  • Sisters Emily & Valerie (Mesa, AZ): Recall less scandalous work experience than expected, strict but protective management, and lasting friendships.
  • Missy (Nashville, TN): Discusses strict uniform standards, needing padded bras, and the camaraderie during shifts.
  • Nicole (Phoenix, AZ): Dispels the “dumb Hooters girl” myth, citing coworkers as ambitious students, and describes fun-centric work culture.
  • Susan (Jacksonville, FL): Shares how she met her husband at work and the quirky regulars, highlighting the range of Hooters’ clientele.
• Quote:
  “The main misconception about Hooters is that Hooters girls are dumb. In my experience, that really can’t be further from the truth...the majority of girls...are really doing the same [as I am]: working on their degrees.” — Nicole (20:28)

The Hooters Employee Handbook and Criticism (26:38–28:08)

• David references the original staff handbook, noting its overt embrace of sexual innuendo and how objectification was “built into it.”
• Rob and David critique this, questioning the need for such environments but acknowledge the majority of employee experiences shared were positive.

Industry Changes, Decline, and Spin–Offs (28:09–29:39)

• Discussion of corporate decline: from over 400 global locations in 2009 to around 208 in 2025.
• Mention of “Hoots,” a more mainstream offshoot with fewer menu items and both male and female servers.
• Hooters’ struggle to remain culturally relevant as attitudes towards misogyny evolve.

Current Perspective: Interview with Avery (Current “Hooters Girl”) (30:09–47:50)

• Who is Avery?
  A South Carolina-based Hooters employee with years of experience across the US, involved in training, social media, and charity.
• Work Experience and Career Path:
  Avery describes Hooters as more like a sports bar now—very family-friendly, featuring kids menus and coloring walls.
• Employment as “Entertainment”:
  Hooters staff are technically “entertainers” rather than just waitresses, with appearance standards still significant for hiring and retention.
• Quote:
  “Technically, a Hooters girl is an entertainer. We are not waitresses.” — Avery (32:54)
• Modern Hooters Culture:
  Avery feels well-treated, shares stories of supportive regulars, and claims most customers behave respectfully with management backing staff in cases of harassment.
• Money, Misconceptions, and Empowerment:
  Avery discusses tips ($400–$1,000 possible), strong camaraderie, and debunks the myth that Hooters girls are dumb or superficial, citing high-achieving former colleagues.
• Uniforms and Recent Changes:
  Touches on a recent, positive shift away from extremely revealing shorts (“coochie cutters”) to somewhat more modest attire.
• Business Model Update:
  The chain recently went through bankruptcy, changing to a franchise-only system.

The Hooters Experience: David and Rob Visit (55:40–63:13)

• Setting and Atmosphere:
  The Hooters in Long Beach, CA is described as exactly as stereotyped: waitresses in skimpy attire, sports memorabilia, families and groups of men in booths.
• They order classic Hooters menu items (original wings, fried pickles, mozzarella sticks).
• Mixed Feelings:
  Both express discomfort—David self-consciously avoids appearing to “look” at staff; Rob notes the flip in social norms.
• Quote:
  “It’s way more of a stereotype than I was expecting...all on display. Feels like I’m walking on eggshells.” — David (59:13)
• Family-Friendly?
  Surprised by presence of kids and families, though neither would intentionally take their own.
• Quality of Food:
  Both found the food “fine, not great,” and left after about 20 minutes—then ate at PF Chang’s next door.
• Debrief:
  Both agree they wouldn’t rush back but acknowledge it as a “distinctly American” experience.

Culture War, Controversy, and Feminist Dialogue (53:04–54:45)

• David discusses a 2010 complaint filed by NOW against Hooters for “family-friendly” branding versus sex-discriminatory hiring.
• Acknowledges evidence of objectification’s psychological toll, but also the case for women’s autonomy and empowerment.
• Notes the significant legal history (numerous lawsuits) attached to the company.
• Quote:
  “All of these lawsuits are happening...possibly some red flags in the mix.” — David (54:45)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• David on Episode Premise (04:05):
  “Two male podcasters embarking on a quest to find out about the Hooters restaurant chain seems to be a recipe for disaster.”
• Nicole on Staff Intelligence (20:28):
  “The main misconception about Hooters is that Hooters girls are dumb...Incredibly intelligent women work there.”
• Avery on Empowerment (42:45):
  “You never know whose day you can change. I know it sounds really, like, cheesy, but...they change my days sometimes. They fix my flat tire, so it’s the least I can get to change theirs.”
• Avery on Uniform Update (47:10):
  “Less butt. You know, we’re Hooters, not Butters.”
• David on the Visit Experience (59:13):
  “It’s way more of a stereotype than I was expecting...all on display. Feels like I’m walking on eggshells whenever we speak, you know?”
• Rob on Social Norms (60:05):
  “The social norms are flipped here where they’re intentionally doing it. But again, it feels kind of gross to.”
• David on Takeaway (62:35):
  “For me, it was a very distinctly American experience...sports, bar food, and it was like, what’s on the tin, Hooters...an American stereotype.”

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Important Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|----------------| | Opening: David & Rosabelle, “What is Hooters?” | 00:05–05:08 | | Initial Conversation: Hooters Stereotypes | 09:04–13:02 | | Montage: Ex-Hooters Staff Share Experiences | 16:36–23:06 | | Critique: Employee Handbook & Culture Criticism | 26:38–28:08 | | Business Decline: Franchise Shift | 28:09–29:39 | | Interview: Avery, Current Hooters Employee | 30:09–47:50 | | Live Review: David & Rob at Hooters | 55:40–63:13 | | Legal & Cultural Controversy | 53:04–54:45 | | Takeaway, Debrief, and Reflections | 62:35–63:42 |

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Episode Takeaways

• Complex Reality: Hooters is both loved and criticized; its employees often report fun, camaraderie, and empowerment, but critics cite objectification, sexism, and at times, psychological tolls.
• Changing Business: Hooters has shrunk considerably, gone through bankruptcy, and is now fully franchised; it faces an uncertain future amid shifting cultural standards.
• Ambivalence on Experience: The hosts articulate both their personal anxieties about engaging with the brand and a recognition that—right or wrong—Hooters is part of the American tapestry, embodying both retrograde and evolving attitudes toward gender and commerce.
• A Place for Nuance: David and Rob’s recurring theme: the answer isn’t simple. Hooters is experienced differently by different people, and the story varies widely by location, management, and individual.

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Conclusion

David Farrier’s approach, seeking understanding instead of easy judgment, provides a layered exploration of an American institution many see as problematic, others as empowering, and all as memorable. The episode offers both a critical and human view—showing that beneath the wings and “hooters,” real people navigate identity, economics, and cultural change.

Transcript

[Rosabelle]

Oh, hi.

[David Farrier]

Hi, Rosabelle. Have you forgot how a phone works?

[Rosabelle]

I was having some trouble answering the phone.

[David Farrier]

It's okay. You're here now.

[Rosabelle]

How are you?

[David Farrier]

I'm good. It's been a few weeks since the Roosevelt episode of Flightless Bird. How did you find that experience?

[Rosabelle]

Well, it's interesting because we haven't really spoken. It's almost like we were having a fight. What do you think about that?

[David Farrier]

I think we haven't actually spoken since that went to air, which is so strange, actually. I think life is just. America is coming at me fast. It's been pretty crazy over here, and so it's less of us having a fight and more me just being overwhelmed by the United States.

[Rosabelle]

Okay, so the world's just crazy. That's why we haven't spoken.

[David Farrier]

Do you want to know some gossip, though? Some real gossip?

[Rosabelle]

Yes.

[David Farrier]

Hayden hasn't talked talked to me since that episode went to air.

[Rosabelle]

Is that real?

[David Farrier]

And I'm wondering if he's feeling a little bit left out.

[Rosabelle]

Well, no, because he had the opportunity to do it.

[David Farrier]

You're right.

[Rosabelle]

He chose to be on holiday.

[David Farrier]

You're right. Peeling back the layers. That was going to be the Roosevelt and Hayden episode, but he. He left.

[Rosabelle]

You know, peeling back the layers even more. I was going to get him to be the one to crack that egg because I was so scared. And, you know, he wouldn't blink an eye.

[David Farrier]

No, he wouldn't. He'd crack 10 eggs on my head.

[Rosabelle]

So in many ways, this has all worked out for the best.

[David Farrier]

Now, today's episode. Is about Hooters, the famous American restaurant chain. And I'm just wondering, you know, we certainly don't have Hooters in New Zealand, and we don't really have any Hooters adjacent restaurants in New Zealand. I can't think of any examples. I'm just wondering, you know, what jumps to mind when I say the word hoot. Hooters. Do you?

[Rosabelle]

Well, that means boobs, doesn't it?

[David Farrier]

Although their logo also has an owl in it, so one could argue hoot. Hoot. It's an owl, not breasts.

[Rosabelle]

Why are they called hooters?

[David Farrier]

That's actually a very good question. I feel it's like you want to honk them, don't you? That's the thing. Honk them. This isn't about me.

[Susan]

That's all.

[Rosabelle]

Weird impulse, isn't it? Like to look at a boob and be like, I would like to honk that.

[David Farrier]

I mean, it's from. I mean, it goes back to childhood. Doesn't it? You sort of wanting to. You get milk from them and you sort of grab them. Have you seen a small infant around a breast that just grab, grab, grabbing?

[Rosabelle]

Yeah, but that's different, isn't it? I guess. I see what you. I see what you're trying to say. I understand. Yeah, we don't have anything like Hooters, I don't think.

[David Farrier]

Does it conjure up sort of positive vibes or sort of misogynistic vibes or. Not quite sure, because I'm not sure, to be honest.

[Rosabelle]

It's confusing, isn't it? Because the premise of it seems inherently misogynistic. But women, you know, have a right to choose where they work and if they want to work there, then that's fine. I've. Yeah. Have you been to one? I guess that's what the episode's about.

[David Farrier]

Look, that is how this, how this podcast works. Me trying new things. And I mean, in this episode, it would just be two bros, David and Rob, heading off to Hooters. I'm David Farrier, a New Zealander accidentally marooned in America, and I want to figure out what makes this country tick. Now I'm going to be honest, Rob, whoever's listening, I'm scared of this episode. Two male podcasters embarking on a quest to find out about the Hooters restaurant chain seems to be a recipe for disaster. Already I've encountered trouble in my conversation with Rosabelle raising the idea that breasts are there to be honked on a joke. But is it a joke rooted in male misogyny? Is this episode going to get us cancelled? To be clear, it's my understanding that breasts exist for a myriad of reasons and if they're ever honked, it should be only done in a consensual setting. But at the same time, fears of cancellation. At the top of my mind, this is a podcast about American culture and there is little doubt in my mind that Hooters is very American. It also fits in with the original remit of this podcast. Me, a naive, flightless bird from New Zealand, trying to understand things that we don't have down under. And we certainly don't have Hooters. So in this episode, we hear from an array of former Hooters staff from across the ages before talking to a current so called Hooters girl. Then I go and visit Hooters for the first time. What's changed since it first launched on October 4, 1983? What hasn't changed? So get ready to go to a totally normal sports bar, order Some wings, maybe some pickles. And have a good time because this is the Hooters episode.

[Avery]

Flightless, Flightless.

[David Farrier]

Flightless bird.

[Missy]

Touchdown in America.

[David Farrier]

I'm a flightless bird.

[Avery]

Touchdown in America.

[David Farrier]

Rob, how are you?

[Rob]

Great. I'm also a little scared of this episode as you.

[David Farrier]

You mentioned legitimately concerned, as, I mean, even spoiler alert, it's already been spoiled. In this episode, you and I dine at Hooters. And even during that experience of dining there, I was worried about what I was saying, where I was looking, what I was doing.

[Rob]

What do you know about Hooters before this experience?

[David Farrier]

Can I do some admin quickly? I just want to say I got a massage today, an oily massage, and I haven't taken the oil off since I got here, so I. You might now be able to. If you're watching the video or whatever, you probably can't notice, but I feel very oily. And I realized as we started recording that I hadn't showered. And bonus, after the massage, I was leaving the establishment and they said to me, you're a very handsome man. And I thought, isn't that a nice thing to hear from someone that's just given you a full body rub?

[Rob]

Yeah.

[David Farrier]

And I got sort of an ego boost. It was really nice.

[Rob]

Was it a male masseuse or female masseuse?

[David Farrier]

It was a female masseuse. I'd say she was probably middle 50s, ish, sort of 60s, amazing. Gave a great massage. Yep. So I just wanted to give a little disclaimer. That's I'm feeling, I'm doing. I'm feeling oily.

[Rob]

I that feeling, I'm saying all is terrible. My entire body is over oil after a massage.

[David Farrier]

Face, back, legs.

[Rob]

Wait, you got your face oiled.

[David Farrier]

Oil the face. She gave my face a rub down. It was so good. Every bit of my most bits of my body mess.

[Rob]

You paid for extra for a facial massage?

[David Farrier]

No, it was. No, it was a normal price. Yeah. At this place.

[Rob]

I've never had my face massaged at a massage.

[David Farrier]

The cheeks, the forehead, just under the ears, the nape of the neck. Oh, my God. I'm feeling good, Rob.

[Rob]

I mean, I'll Sometimes I'll do like a scalp add on like that.

[David Farrier]

That's why this place is a shit. They just do everything. There's no add ons. It's like one price, whole body at the end. They say you're a very attractive man. What more could you want? Just very quickly, we did a Patreon episode last week discussing ice and Minneapolis.

[Rob]

Not to be confused with the ice episode we did.

[David Farrier]

No. Gets very confusing sometimes. No talking about the bad ice. We made that episode free so everyone could listen. So thanks for all the feedback. We got to that. We wanted to put that out widely. But if you want to listen and watch that episode. Patreon.com FlightThis Bird it is free sitting there for you to consume. Also got a lot of entrance for history teachers. Incredible. So, like the. I'll put it in. You've seen the inbox. I've dragged it into a folder. Too many entrants.

[Rob]

Well, I think what we're gonna do for that is we'll do a Patreon episode where we talk to five or.

[David Farrier]

Six history teachers interviewing for the job.

[Rob]

Mini lessons.

[David Farrier]

Yeah, the mini lesson. So, yeah, thanks for. I can't get back to everyone, but I've got all those sitting there and slowly we'll start to that process. Also, heaps of people writing in about cults they were or are members of. Thank you for that.

[Rob]

That's crazy. I did not. I was like, maybe we'll get one lead.

[David Farrier]

Yes. No.

[Rob]

Like, we can't have that many listeners, a connection to a cult.

[David Farrier]

Very funny. Emails to be getting like, either, like history teachers pitching or pitching. I'm in the weirdest cult you could imagine.

[Rob]

The fact that. Yeah, we put those two prompts out.

[David Farrier]

At the same time, you know, thanks everyone who's emailed in. FlighttheSpreadchatgmail.com, incredible. Okay. Hooters. The establishment Hooters. What was your question about Hooters for me, Rob?

[Rob]

What did you know of Hooters before doing this episode? What was your context?

[David Farrier]

I knew the logo. I feel that was ingrained into my brain. The owl you had never been lunch? Never been. I had many, maybe a decade ago. I feel like I'd walked past a Hooters when there was more of them open, but I'd never been inside one. I knew that they had female servers who were in skimpy outfits and you would go there and they would serve you. That's all. I. But I sort of had no concept in my mind of whether this was something that existed in that form anymore. Like, do you go to Hooters? Is everything covered up? Has it moved on? Or is it still.

[Rob]

Cause it seems like an outdated establishment.

[David Farrier]

It does. It seems chaotically outdated.

[Rob]

Current day America.

[David Farrier]

Yes. I mean, I was kind of surprised it was still a thing at all.

[Rob]

I. Yes. Did you ever see the movie Big Daddy? ADAM Sandler says 99 movie that sounds.

[David Farrier]

Like an Adam Sandler movie.

[Rob]

Cole and Dylan Sprouse, they were like little kids. He, like, adopts her. He. He ends up with this kid.

[David Farrier]

Okay.

[Rob]

That he's watching. I think he takes him to Hooters.

[David Farrier]

Right? That's the big gag.

[Rob]

You should play a clip.

[David Farrier]

Hey, Corinne, why don't you put a tank top on for old times sake? Come on.

[Avery]

What is he talking about, Mommy?

[David Farrier]

Nothing.

[Rob]

So, yeah, big daddy. That I, that was. I mean, that wasn't what I knew Hooters from, but I think that's a fairly iconic.

[David Farrier]

I hadn't seen that, but I feel like I only know Hooters from seeing it referenced in other media, like whatever shows, films, has been in. That's where I know it from. Yeah. Had you been before? What's your history with Hooters?

[Rob]

I had a girlfriend that loved the Wings at Hooters.

[David Farrier]

Huh.

[Rob]

So I had gone a couple times with her.

[David Farrier]

Sounds like you're making. Sounds like the most made up story of all time.

[Rob]

100 serious. I have. I had only gone with her.

[David Farrier]

Okay.

[Rob]

Like, yeah. Late high school. Because there was. There was one by the Woodfield Mall.

[David Farrier]

I'll see you quite a few times. Because she wants to eat wings.

[Rob]

I think like two or three times. Only because I did not like it and she loved it.

[David Farrier]

You didn't like it?

[Rob]

No.

[David Farrier]

Everything about this, again, sounds like made up.

[Rob]

I know.

[David Farrier]

Hated it. Hated every second it's uncomfortable.

[Rob]

Like, I, I. So it wasn't Hooters, but I remember similar situation. I was at south by Southwest and this was during like the Blackhawks. They were doing like a playoff run.

[David Farrier]

Okay.

[Rob]

And I needed to find somewhere that was going to play the hockey games again.

[David Farrier]

It sounds. I know every story. I know where was playing it. Rob. Well, where could you go that was playing the game?

[Rob]

So I asked my friend that lived there. I was like, where can I watch where is gonna have the game? And she's like, well, I'm seeing this guy that owns this restaurant chain called Bikinis. He said, they'll have the game on there.

[David Farrier]

Right?

[Rob]

So I was like, I guess I.

[David Farrier]

Have to go to this place. Much like I used to have to go to Hooters because my girlfriend loved the Wings. I now have to go to a place called Bikinis.

[Rob]

No, but. So I went, oh, did you?

[David Farrier]

Did you Surprised.

[Rob]

Went by myself. It was the most uncomfortable thing. Like, you sit down and the waitresses there are wearing bikinis. They come over to your table, take a napkin, write their name on it, and like, tell You. That they're going to be taking care of you.

[David Farrier]

Right.

[Rob]

And I just was like, this doesn't feel good. This feels gross.

[David Farrier]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Rob]

And I left. I did not watch my hockey game there.

[David Farrier]

That's. Yeah. That's the fear that I had about it. Going into this is just like awkwardness.

[Rob]

And weirdness, which I think we will get into it a little bit later.

[David Farrier]

Yeah.

[Rob]

But there's like a double edged sword to it, though. Like, I'm all for female empowerment and like people that are there.

[David Farrier]

Yeah.

[Rob]

And need to make a living. Like, I'm not. I'm not looking down on any of the people that work at either of those establishments.

[David Farrier]

No. I look at it more as like it's a me problem and just how I am in these situations.

[Rob]

Yeah.

[David Farrier]

It's like I was talking with Rosabelle about this a very long time ago in New Zealand. I was an entertainment reporter. Yeah. And there was a rumor that David Hasselhoff was. This actually sounds like I'm going to tell a story just like your story. David Hasselhoff was in town and he was reported to be at a strip club. And I had to find him to interview him. Yeah, of course. So I didn't want to go to a strip club on my own. So I said to Rosabelle, would you like to go to the strip club? Because David Hasselhoff is there.

[Rob]

Yeah.

[David Farrier]

And Roosevelt was like, oh, yeah, that'll be like kind of fun. Like, I haven't been to a strip club in a long time. Let's go to a strip club. Got there. Weirdly, David Hasselhoff wasn't there, but there was a legitimate tip that he was going to be there. But I was talking with Rosabelle about how it very quickly became sort of awkward for us because there are strip clubs. I think that is. There's different types of strip clubs and different vibes in there. This is very much one that was sort of sad and awful. And me and Roosevelt are sort of like, I don't think the Hoff's here. I think we're going to go like, this isn't fun and we left. But it's. I'm not equating. See, I'm already. I'm in trouble now. Am I equating strip clubs with Hooters? I guess I'm just saying it's a place where potentially you could go there to objectify women. Also. Women. Females can work there and they're welcome to. And it can be empowering and wonderful. It kind of just depends on a million Things like the vibe there, who that, how it's run, how safe people are kept, who the manager is, who the clientele is, all that. Right?

[Avery]

Yeah.

[David Farrier]

I mean, it's like a melting potential.

[Rob]

That's how I feel. Where, like, I. And it's hard to. It's hard to even talk about it.

[David Farrier]

I think we're doing well. I think I. I'm very confident so far. I've got some facts written down for us, though. Okay. Figuring out where the term hooters came from. So it originated apparently from the rounded rubber horns called hooters on early automobiles. And obviously, the hooters were round. They looked like a breast. And also potentially the theory that I pitched to Rosabelle, he will honk them. And so that wasn't me talking out of my ass. That is part of the origin story. The. The rubber horn on a car that you would hoot with your hands.

[Rob]

Did you know that or you just got lucky?

[David Farrier]

No, I just. It was. I'm a smart guy. It was just. It was in. It was in my mind. And apparently the term hooters was really popularized later by comedian Steve Martin on Saturday Night live in the 80s. And then the Hooters chain came along.

[Rob]

I mean, I guess the other fear of this is just. It's two guys talking about misogyny. So with that said, we did think it was important to get, what, female voices?

[David Farrier]

Some women in this. In this episode. What are you talking about? No, as all. As usual, the listeners of Flightless Bird came to the rescue many. I feel like months ago on the show, we requested any former Hooters employees to send us voice memos about their experience at whoos. We got a shit ton of them. So this is like a hypercut of some of the best ones and sort of an array of experiences as well. This is Hooters from who is Employees.

[Emily]

All right, we've got two retired Hooters girls coming to you from Mesa, Arizona. My name is Emily, and I'm Valerie. We're sisters. Yeah, Val is my older sister. We worked at the Mesa, Arizona Hooters for several years. Val, when did you work there? I worked there from about 2005 to 2010, and then I came in my winter break in 2006 and worked there on my breaks from school until 2010. My main memory of the job was just that it was far less scandalous than what we anticipated. Especially, like, if you think about how mom handled it, like, when you started working at Hooters.

[Rosabelle]

Oh, yeah.

[Emily]

She was so upset. She was so upset. And then when I started working there, I think she, like, kind of just gave up. And then all of a sudden, the next year, like, we were in Hooters outfits for our Christmas card. Yep, that is right. My main memory there is all the really good friends I made. I still have friends to this day. I'm now in my 40s and I still have people that I talk to regularly and see regularly from that time.

[Nicole]

There's.

[Emily]

Yeah, I mean, you worked there for like five years. I know full time, fun job. People think you're wearing this skimpy little outfit, but we had these thick tights that were as thick as yoga leggings that girls wear right now. That is how thick those tights were. So when you actually wore the uniform, it felt very covered. Yeah, it felt very covered up. The only thing you really had was cleavage and arms showing. I was wearing way less at pool parties every weekend.

[Rosabelle]

Yes, absolutely.

[Emily]

I felt like we were really empowered as women to be in charge of what people got to say and who got to go. Like there was that one time where that guy licked my arm. Remember, he licked it from my wrist. And you were there. And before I even made it to the sink to wash my arm, you and the manager had dragged him out of the restaurant and he was like banned for life. Yeah, they did not put up with that stuff. And if you had a problem with people, they really made sure that you felt like you were in a safe environment. I don't think that this is necessarily, across the board, everyone's experience. I think it's really dependent on the management. Yeah, yeah, I guess that's so dependent on managers.

[Missy]

Hi, David. Hi, Rob. This is Missy calling from Nashville, Tennessee, and I am a former Hooters waitress. I remember my start date being 6606, which probably should have been my first red flag. I remember whenever I got hired, I called my mom and she asked me, how did you get a job with no boobs? And let me tell you, I had to get a water bra and a push up bra just to make it look like I had something going on because I was very flat chested back then. What I would give for that body back. One of the things I remember, our uniform was really strict. We couldn't wear it outside of the restaurant. We couldn't tell anybody where. Where we worked for safety reasons. We would pile up into the bathroom and help each other get dressed and cover up all of our tattoos. Our socks had to be extra scrunchy, our shoes really white. Whenever it was time to pick our section for the shift, our managers would have to evaluate our uniform. We would do a little twirl for them. And yes, all of our managers were male. A little creepy. Whenever it was slow, we would go out in the parking lot and hula hoop with these giant hula hoops that had water in it. We would hula hoop so hard, it would leave bruises on our sides because they were just so heavy. And then we would go inside and flip the barstools upside down, rock them back and forth, and race around the restaurant. We would also sit on the large serving trays and push each other around. It was actually pretty fun.

[Nicole]

Hey, David and Rob. My name is Nicole, and I live in Phoenix, Arizona. But 20 years ago, I used to be a Hooters girl in Knoxville, Tennessee. What I loved about working at Hooters was honestly just how fun it was. I worked a lot of different serving jobs throughout high school and college. And there was always this saying in serving jobs where, you know, if you don't have a lot of tables and you're kind of bored, if you've got time to lean, you've got time to clean. Sort of implying that, you know, you should always be cleaning the restaurant, doing side work. But really, Hooters was not like that at all. When we were bored or didn't have a lot of tables, what we were encouraged to do was really have fun. So we would get hula hoops, go hula hoop in the parking lot to try and draw customers in, or we do this thing where we called it riding the stools, where you turn a stool upside down, and you sort of, like, balance it in a circle, almost like a rodeo. And we would teach customers how to do that. So if you guys end up checking out a Hooters, hopefully they'll teach you how to do that. I think one of the main misconceptions about Hooters is that Hooters girls are dumb. And in my experience, that really can't be further from the truth. For the most part, all of the women I worked with were in college, working on their degrees, trying to pay their way through college, really just working there for a year or so while they worked on that degree. I know me personally now I have a master's degree. I lead a team. And I would say the majority of the girls that I worked with and kept in touch with are really doing the same. So could not be further from the truth that Hooters girls are dumb. Incredibly intelligent women work there.

[Susan]

Hi, David and Rob. My name's Susan and I live in Jacksonville, Florida. My most lasting memory, I'd say, of working there is that I actually met my husband while working there. We were both students at the University of Florida. He worked in the kitchen, I worked as a server, and we started dating and we've now been together for almost 20 years, which is nuts. The other thing I wanted to mention is that I had this one regular customer that would come in multiple times a week, usually during the day or early evening, and he wrote a book while there. I'm pretty sure his name was Steve and he always ordered chocolate cake, just chocolate cake. And he would sit there and write his book, which I asked him about a few times. It was some like crazy sci fi world he was defining and I never really followed what he was going to be writing about, but he was definitely a character.

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[David Farrier]

Steve if you're listening to Flightless Bird. Yeah. And you finish that sci fi book, we would love to hear from you. Flightless bird chat gmail.com yeah, just an array of experiences. Um, generally people seem to love it. There was a few comments from creepy manager sort of vibes. But then in other places, amazing management who would kick out creepy customers. Yeah.

[Rob]

I didn't love the outfit checks.

[David Farrier]

Yeah.

[Rob]

And twirl by twirl in front of my managers.

[David Farrier]

Not a great vibe. But generally the voice memos that came in were way more positive experiences like had a blast. Managers kicked any idiot customers out. Customers are generally good and I have great friends from that time.

[Rob]

Yeah. I guess I would imagine most waitresses, regardless of where they work, have stories of creepy dudes. Especially a place that is like a sports bar.

[David Farrier]

Yep.

[Rob]

I would imagine they're like everyone has a story.

[David Farrier]

Yeah. And hospitality and then any job in general. Right.

[Rob]

But then to add this other layer into it.

[David Farrier]

And speaking of, I did some intense googling. Wasn't that intense. The Smoking Gun years ago published like the original handbook for staff, which was pretty amusing. 52 page handbook. I'll put a link to it in the show notes of this episode and you end up signing a page. This is sort of back in the day when HUDA started. I hereby acknowledge the work environment is one in which joking and innuendo based on female sex appeal is commonplace. So that was kind of like the founding idea of the whole thing, which is like built into it.

[Rob]

What I was trying to make is I don't know that we need a place to encourage more of that.

[David Farrier]

Well put, well put.

[Rob]

But again, like we've been saying this whole time, if people are having good experiences there and making lifelong friends and feel safe and they're going to be objectified no matter where they go. It's not up to us to completely. Our fantasy football used to have its draft at the Hooters in Burbank. I have been to Hooters.

[David Farrier]

The truth comes out.

[Rob]

I forgot about this. That's how.

[David Farrier]

That's how commonplace it is in your life. It's like you're there every other day.

[Rob]

Insignificant. It was. Was that I. We had one or two drafts there before it closed down. And. And now we do Buffalo Wild wings, which you came to.

[David Farrier]

Which is where we did. When the one time I did a draft with you guys.

[Rob]

Honestly, like, it didn't feel that different.

[David Farrier]

Yeah. Right. That's interesting, actually. Yeah. Same sort of vibe. Okay. So Hooters did have a spin off called Hoots. Less menu items and both male and female service. So that was the thing they did for a while in 2017. Overall sales at Hooters of America shrank from 1.2 billion in 2009 to only 678 million in 2024. So pretty much half over that time. Hooters definitely went through some issues, I.

[Rob]

Would imagine, as culturally misogyny is becoming less and less acceptable, that the locations are maybe dwindling as a result. As of 2025, there are approximately 200, 208 Hooters locations still left in the United States.

[David Farrier]

More than I expected. I mean, the fact that here in Los Angeles, like, the closest one was an hour away in Long Beach.

[Rob]

So at its peak, hooters had over 430 locations globally.

[David Farrier]

Okay.

[Rob]

High expansions in the late 2000, with 400 locations in the US in 2009 and 2009, it made $1.2 billion in revenue, and it's been shrinking ever since.

[David Farrier]

Was surprised that Hooters were in other countries. I had no idea. New Zealand missed out. I thought it was just purely an American thing. But they expanded. And a bunch of kind of other chains like that bikini one that you went to that took off the idea, basically.

[Rob]

Yeah.

[David Farrier]

All right. So those voice memos that Listen sent in were mostly people working there sort of 10 to 20 years ago. You knew someone who works there currently.

[Rob]

Yes. And thought we should maybe talk to her. And I thought it would be interesting to get her perspective on it because she's a current kind of spokesperson for Hooters.

[David Farrier]

She's been there for a while as well.

[Rob]

Yeah. So I thought it'd be interesting to see what she had to say.

[Avery]

So my name is Avery, and I am in South Carolina, and I work with the Hooters over there. But I also have worked at Hooters all across the country. She picked a good person to talk to. So if you were like, you say you're from la, depending on what Hooters you go to, I probably know two or three of those girls because I. I was working at Hooters in Mesa, Arizona, for a long, long time.

[David Farrier]

You're right. So growing up in the United States, what was your relationship with Hooters growing up? Like, what did you think it was, and when did you first start working there?

[Avery]

Well, growing up, I always thought Hooters, you know, I saw big daddy, and I always thought it was just, like, hot girls, beers and wings, and, like, boobs, to be honest with you. And I never really thought anything of it. We never really had, like, a Hooters close to where I lived. I think the closest one was maybe like, an hour and a half away. But, like, we never went.

[David Farrier]

It wasn't like a family restaurant where you take the family kind of thing.

[Avery]

I mean, you could tell I take the family there. I didn't have a lot of money growing up, so we didn't really go out to eat a lot.

[David Farrier]

Yeah.

[Avery]

But I did hear, like, I had friends in school that would go there all the time, and they'd be like, come to school and they'd have, like, their Hooter shirt. I had a girlfriend, Sarah, and she was probably the first person that actually told me about it once, because she went for her birthday and she was obsessed with it. She's like, dude, you gotta go in. It's crazy. And I was like, what do you mean, it's crazy? And so that was my first impression. But I never actually went into a Hooters for the first time until I actually applied to work there. And so that was my first introduction to Hooters, was actually going in and applying. I was 19 when I started, so. And I didn't think I was going to make it.

[David Farrier]

And what's been your journey? Like, what was your first job there and what do you actually do there now?

[Avery]

I've had a really cool journey with them. So I started as a. As a Hooters girl. Right. We have Hooters girls. And then I became a bar trainer, and then a bar, a bartender, then a bar trainer, and then a corporate trainer, and then a trainer trainer. I've opened up other stores. I got to be in the social media aspect so I've been on commercials, billboards, radio. I've got to help with charity organizations from the veterans to breast cancer awareness. I've got to work with chive star soul sports. I've got to go to Indiana 500.

[David Farrier]

Oh, my God. So you're deep in. You are deep in. You're. You're up hierarchy.

[Avery]

I'm in it. Like, I drink it. I drink the kool aid. So I personally got to do a lot with the company, which I'm sure, you know, I think that as a Hooters girl, that's where most girls want to get. They want to get to the. Oh, my God. I'm this girl. And so I got. I've got to do both. And I still work at my store, too.

[Rob]

What's a Hooters girl? Is that a waitress or can you define?

[Avery]

Yeah. So technically, a Hooters girl is an entertainer. We are not waitresses, okay? Hooters have a stipulation to, like. I've heard rumors in the past. Like, when I first started, you know, if your nose touches the wall first and not your boobs, then you can't work at Hooters. Like, your boobs have to be bigger than your nose. So I've heard that rumor, and I've heard, like, all of these crazy things, and, like, you have to, like, be a certain image or, you know, be a certain shape, you would say, or, like, how to look a certain way. So I think with the entertainment aspect of that, they get away with Hooters, like, as a whole, can say, like, hey, you know, we hired you a certain way, but you have to maintain our Hooters girl image. So, yes, we're servers and we're bartenders, but we're technically filed as entertainers because we have to keep a certain image.

[Rob]

And are there. There are just straight up waitresses that are not Hooters girls.

[Avery]

No, you have to be.

[Rob]

You have to be.

[Avery]

You can't be just a waitress, okay? It's crazy.

[David Farrier]

You kind of cut to the root of what I'm kind of curious about talking about, because obviously, Hooters has this image of Hooters. It's another word for breasts, Right? So it's like hooters. You go there. It's breasts, woman, all that kind of thing.

[Rob]

Chicken breasts, though.

[David Farrier]

Chicken. Oh, there's chicken there as well.

[Rob]

Yeah.

[David Farrier]

And you've got that get out of jail free card with the owls.

[Avery]

It's called Hooters because owls, you guys. Ow.

[David Farrier]

Yeah, but I guess. I guess what I'm Curious, I'm sure, like, Hooters was one thing when it started and when people had a different view of that. And it's probably different now in today's world where things are a lot more diverse and a lot more inclusive for all different body types and all the rest of it. But is Hooters still essentially, like, what is it? Is it what the stereotype is, or is it different to that?

[Avery]

I think it's different. I got to see the evolution of it. And truthfully, like, people, you know, like, obviously we do cater more to the male clientele, but truthfully, I feel like we've kind of gone away from that and more towards the sports bar aspect, where it's not just men coming in. Like, we have kids all the time at my store currently. We have a coloring wall. Kids eat free. We have a kid's menu. We give them toys. Like, we are very, very kid friendly. And I feel like that's what we're trying to get back to. And, you know, because we did get that. That. That certain Genesee Club, like, oh, these are just hot girls with big boobs serving wings. I'm like, no, it's more. It's more of that. Like, we just. I think they just happen to hit a market at the right time with the. With the restaurant, as you could say, and it just. Boom, you know, like. And I think it's really funny because from, you know, if you go to other restaurants, like Twin Peaks or Ojos Locos or anything like that, like, most of them don't even have kids menus, so I've never.

[David Farrier]

You just dropped these other restaurants. I didn't even know they existed. So there's others in this genre of establishment.

[Rosabelle]

Yeah.

[Avery]

And they all. They all try to copy it. That's the best part.

[David Farrier]

Casitas was the first.

[Rob]

Well, she called them breasts.

[Avery]

Exactly.

[Rob]

Did you miss that?

[David Farrier]

I did catch the breast. Rob loves puns, so he would have just been in heaven. When you drop that to the point where I had to stop the interview.

[Rob]

To make sure I talk, he's like.

[Avery]

Did you hear what the restaurant.

[Rob]

You didn't laugh.

[David Farrier]

So it is a fam. The whole Hooters thing is it's like, family free. Bring the kids, bring anyone, bring grandma, whatever.

[Avery]

Yeah. I personally don't see, like, you know, a lot of people are like, oh, it's basically like a strip club. I don't get that vibe. I've never gotten that vibe. If anything, it's just like a normal sports bar that you go to. It's Just. You just don't want to see men. You would much rather see pretty girls. Get it? Totally get it. But you're working with a bunch of girls too. It's like, you know, it's like your men aren't gonna cross the line with us because one, we're gonna gang up on you. It's a house full of women, essentially, is where you're going in. Like, you're literally going into a house full of all women. So good luck if you're gonna try anything.

[David Farrier]

Yeah, totally. And another thing, we actually had a few listeners to this show send in their experiences of working at Hooters over the years. And what one person said, which sort of stood out to me, is in a lot of hospitality work, when you're not customer facing, you're cleaning or you're doing all this other stuff. Whereas the joy of what she found with Hooters is that, no, like, if you're not, you're not cleaning just the whole time, you're entertaining. If you're not waiting on people, you go out and have conversations. And she just found that whole thing to be really entertaining and fun as opposed to sort of a miserable hospitality job.

[Avery]

Oh, yeah. I would say, like, honestly, we get treated like princesses. Like we, you know, like, I had a regular. The other day, I had a flat tire. He took it. I was working, took it, took my car, fixed my flat, brought it back to work. I offered to pay him. He said absolutely not. You told me any. Yeah, you told me any other place that you can work where they're gonna literally help you fix your flat and then bring it back to you and you don't have to do anything.

[David Farrier]

It's incredibly funny. Just use them as your slaves, essentially. So good.

[Avery]

Yeah, they love. They love it. They love to feel needed. You know, I think that's like, a man thing for you guys. You guys love to feel like, couldn't come in, that we need you, that we need you, that we just love you guys so much. And if we can provide that for you guys and you guys feel like you have your macho, yes, you can help me with my flat tire.

[David Farrier]

I love that we're so basic. We really are. The most basic thing. I mean, the cases where people get rowdy and silly and you can just, like, kick them out, Are there any sort of kick outtables?

[Avery]

Definitely don't touch us. Don't put your hands on us. I think that's just, like, human decency boundaries.

[Rob]

Every. Every restaurant, I think, has that rule.

[Avery]

Just to recap Touch a girl inappropriately or say something again. We're a house full of women. We're not going to tolerate being called anything less than our name, you know, so we. We've had to kick. I've only had to pick out one person, and it was just for. It wasn't even me. They were too grabby with another one of my girls, and I was like, you gotta go. You know, and usually, like, the management, everybody, they really do have our back. They understand. You know, a lot of these. These women that work at Hooters, they're working their way through college or they have bills to pay, and they're young, and, like, they don't let us, like, walk out of the restaurant without escorts. Like, because there were instances in the past. Yeah. Like, there were instances in a couple years ago where people were trying to, like, kidnap us. You know, they're like, no, we're not gonna do that. But, like, they really do try to take care of us as a whole. And I think that's, like, different than most restaurants. Most restaurants are just like, sorry.

[David Farrier]

Yeah, that's amazing that. That. That care that they give. Another thing that I love about American chains and restaurants is the merchandise is kind of amazing. And I legitimately think Huda's merch is the best. Like, I'm a bird guy. I love owls. Yeah. The show is so cool. Yeah. Like, I just think your merch is. Of all the things, like, I don't know what the food is. I haven't tried the merch. The food. I just know that your merch is amazing.

[Avery]

I mean, I will say Selena Gomez thinks our fried pickles are the best. That's her favorite.

[David Farrier]

Oh, really? Endorsed by. Amazing.

[Avery]

Endorsed by Selena Gomez.

[David Farrier]

I'm just telling you, actually, that's my thing. Like, what food are you known for? Like, what is the iconic Hooters meal? Like, when I come in, what should I order?

[Avery]

You should definitely try out the wing. Obviously, we're known for our original style, wings. So what separates us from different places? So when you get wings, you probably just think of chicken wings with the skin and sauce. Cha sauce. There you go. Ours are breaded, so our original style are breaded, so we put a little extra love and care into it. We do have both styles. You can get, like, the naked wings is what we call them, and then the breaded wings are like the fried chicken. I like the breaded ones because I feel like they soak up the sauce more, and I'm like, a little bit of a big back, so the more flavor and the more juiciness get in my mouth. You know, I'm a big fan of the breaded wings. That's our original style, I would say is what we're probably the most known for. And strangely enough, our seafood. I don't know why people love our buffalo shrimp.

[Rob]

Yeah.

[Avery]

So if you. So if you like buffalo shrimp, try some buffalo shrimp. You'll like it.

[David Farrier]

We've already done a bubble gump episode, so it's time to go back in for more shrimp.

[Rob]

It is going to be a Long beach location, though.

[David Farrier]

It is, yeah, completely. Is there anything else for my first who's experience that I need to know about? Are there any, like hidden little facts or tricks in any of the restaurants?

[Avery]

Well, unfortunately, we don't do so rodeo. And I don't even think that some of the girls know what Barstool Rodeo is. I can't tell you that. But it's when they. Back in the day, we used to flip the seats, the stools upside down, and we would pour a pitcher of beer or beer or whatever you'd want while going in a circle. And that used to be like the thing that we used to do.

[David Farrier]

So that's not done anymore. Or some establishments do it.

[Avery]

No, they took it away. I bet if you can find an old school, an old schooler, like someone that knows about it, you probably could. But I bet if you told them about Barstool Rodeo, you would blow some of their minds. They go, what's Barstool Rodeo? But there's videos about that. You should go check it out.

[David Farrier]

Oh, wow. Well, and I guess that ties back to the whole you're being hired as an entertainer thing as well, right? It's like a whole other thing. Oh, my God. Best tip you've gotten in your role back in the day.

[Avery]

That's what I've probably got. I mean, I worked at a little smaller source. I've heard girls can make up in upwards of pretty good bucks. I would say my biggest step is probably like 400. Yeah, yeah. But I mean, there's definitely more money to be made. Like, I'm telling you, like the stories that I hear, like, especially in Texas, the girls that I know in Texas, they've made like a thousand dollars, like in one tip because that's oil money. And so they're just like, here, you need to go to school. Here's a thousand dollars. They're like, wow, thanks. They'll just all, yeah, they love take care of us. There's no shame in my game. You Know, I'm not doing anything but making you feel heard and seen, you.

[Rob]

Know, Are you trained to play into that when you become a Hooters girl?

[Avery]

I would say yes and no. I would say the majority of women that we do hire already have a pretty good personality. It's like, you know, you had mentioned earlier, like one girl said that that's why she liked working her the most, is the people that she gets to meet. I would have to say I agree too. Like, I think that's what wrote me in. That's why I'm here for so long, is I really honestly like the people that. I mean, I like the customers that come in and the regulars. Like, they become like your family. Like, I love the girls and for me, I am chatty. So if we have a nice conversation, it's not even work for me, you know, like, I can talk to a wall. So especially if you give me something interesting to talk about. It's not even, you know, it's like, no sweat off my back. Just actually makes you feel more like a human. I feel like when you're working in other service industries, people kind of treat you like robot or second class citizen. And I feel like Hooters, they actually want to know your story and who you are. And like, you leave there. Like, there's many a times that I come into work and I've been in a bad mood and I will leave being like, okay, that was. That was a good day. Or like, I made somebody's day. I think that's why I work there. Because there's a lot of people out there that you just need a little pat on the back sometimes to say, like, keep going. And especially, you know, like, that's why I like it. It's just you never know whose day you can change. I know it sounds really, like, cheesy, but, like, I know they change my days sometimes. Like hell. They fix flat tire, so it's the least I can get to change their. And then they give them money, so it's a win. Win.

[David Farrier]

That story is legitimately amazing. A guy traipsing off to change a tire. I love that. What is the biggest misconception? Like, when you're meeting people for the first time and they say that whole thing, what do you do? Which Americans love asking, and you're like, oh, I work at Hooters. Is there a certain reaction you get or a comment that annoys you or you think needs to be straightened out?

[Avery]

Totally. We're dumb. We're all dumb. We're All a bunch of dumb bimbos. And that actually is farthest from the truth. We have a lot of Hooters girls that are lawyers, doctors, like, you name it, they're there. They've gotten CEO as a company, directors of ops. Like, they're, they've served in the military. We have one girl that was working for the CIA and it's like that to me is like, like the silliest thing or they think that we have everything handed to us. That's also a common thing that I found working at Hooters is a lot of these women have this commonality. Like, you'll get like a handful that have like, quote unquote, like a perfect marriage in life, right? But a lot of these girls, like, they have to work, you know, the hard working ladies and first, you know, and they just happen to. This is our face. You know, I can't change it. This is what I was born with, so I'm gonna use it. And I feel like a lot of these girls like kind of understand that. And it's like, hey, there's a, there's a market out there. How could I use what I got to get me to a point where I want to go, you know? And I feel like that's. That's a common misconception. They all think that we're dumb or they all think that we're like strippers and it's like, no, A lot of these women have really big ambition. And why wouldn't you work at a place where you're making great money, you have great friends, you have great people? It's always like a little party. Like, you know, why not just common, Common sense.

[David Farrier]

Fancy that. People judging people for people's looks.

[Avery]

Weird. So weird.

[David Farrier]

Finally, is there anything coming up in the world of Hooters this year that you can tell us about? Any big Hooters scoops?

[Avery]

Yeah. Honestly, Hooters actually just went through a really big change. We went through bankruptcy and so our company just went through. Yeah, right. I was like, fix you. We just went through a whole rebranding. So I am just lost with you guys. I have worked for the company for a very long time and this is the first time that I don't even know what's coming.

[David Farrier]

Oh, my God. That's stressful.

[Avery]

You know, new ownership, new company. There's. There's been some new rules. Like, we've had our uniform change just slightly.

[David Farrier]

What's the uniform change? That's fascinating. What's changed?

[Avery]

You know, honestly, I think it's for the better. We have these like little coochie cutter shorts. And I hate to say it and call it like that, but they almost look like little boy shorts, like underwear. And it was just too much. It just was. Wasn't the way. And the girls weren't happy. I. I wasn't like, you know, so they changed it back so it more looks like span picture, like normal shorts, like clothes.

[David Farrier]

Cool. So the changes have all been a positive in your mind.

[Rob]

Less butt cheek.

[David Farrier]

Yeah, yeah. Less butt.

[Avery]

Less butt. You know, we're Hooters, not Butters. You know, what are they gonna do?

[David Farrier]

Rob loves that as well. That's okay. Any kind of wordplay. Rob is like set for the week. He'll be giggling at the shit for the n next month.

[Avery]

That's my job, is to make you laugh.

[David Farrier]

I don't have seen her final question. I've just had quite a weird gum surgery and I'm not allowed to chew. And I'm due to go to Hooters tomorrow. On the Hooters menu, what are the menu items you would order that require the least amount of chewing?

[Avery]

Chili. We got chili.

[David Farrier]

Okay, great. Just copious amounts of chili. That's gonna feel good.

[Avery]

Lots of chili. If you can't chew.

[David Farrier]

Okay. No, dude. Thank you so much for joining us. You're amazing. Appreciate you.

[Avery]

Welcome. Thank you guys. I hope you guys have a great rest of your afternoon.

[Rob]

You too.

[David Farrier]

Thank you. Stay tuned for more Flightless Bird. We'll be right back after a word from our sponsors. Support for Flightless Bird comes from Quince. Now, a well built wardrobe is about pieces that work together and hold up over time. And that is what Quince does best. Premium materials, thoughtful design, and everyday staples that feel easy to wear and easy to rely on even as the weather shifts and gets more and more, more wintry.

[Rob]

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[David Farrier]

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[Rob]

You would have frozen to death.

[David Farrier]

Yeah. No. That quince puffer that I've had sitting in my wardrobe that I don't get to wear enough in Los Angeles that was pretty much a lifesaver when it came to being in negative 30 degree temperatures.

[Rob]

So refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to quince.combird for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns.

[David Farrier]

Now available in Canada too. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com bird free shipping and 365 day returns.

[Rob]

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[Missy]

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[David Farrier]

We heard you.

[Rob]

Nine years of bring back the snack wrap and you've won.

[David Farrier]

But maybe you should have asked for more. Say hello to the hot honey snack wrap. Now you've really won. Go to McDonald's and get it while you can. Okay, so the big scoop. Yes, Hooters did file for bankruptcy last year. I'm going to be going downhill. As we talked about earlier. Headline Whose Restaurant Chain files for bankruptcy? 31st of March 2025 who is of America filed for bankruptcy in Texas as it tries to deal with its debts by selling all of its company owned restaurants to a group backed by its founders. The firm currently directly owns and operates 151 restaurants with another 154 operated by franchisees mainly in the United States. A lot of the restaurants stayed open during this process and then Skip forward to September 30th last year. Success. Who does Bankruptcy plan approved as chain go's Pure Franchise Hooters of America LLC want approval to reorganize Hooters of America LLC won approval to reorganize in bankruptcy after settling a fight over royalty payments allowing the restaurant chain to pivot to a pure franchise business model. Received approval from the U.S. bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas to exit Chapter 11 through a plan that will put the chain's restaurants solely in the hands of franchisees. So each restaurant run by different owners. It's the way it works today.

[Rob]

The whole entertainer versus Server aspect. Oh yeah, did not realize, did not know.

[David Farrier]

Different way of thinking about the job.

[Rob]

Entirely Wild and I think she alluded to it a little bit it was how they kind of got away with.

[David Farrier]

Objectifying the workers is you're an entertainer.

[Rob]

You're an entertainer. Were allowed to care about these things.

[David Farrier]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Rob]

And I guess discriminate would be completely.

[David Farrier]

Yeah. I can't go and get a job at Hooters as a waiter. That's not going to happen.

[Rob]

I think I'm less concerned about you being discriminated against.

[David Farrier]

I. I am always making it about me.

[Rob]

Yes. She called it kid friendly, which I also was pretty shocked.

[David Farrier]

Yeah. About Also was I. I wasn't thinking. That would have been like, they have a coloring wall there. That's not something I expected.

[Rob]

Yeah.

[David Farrier]

Yeah. But then I guess, I mean, every kid seen. They've seen Hooters have seen boobs right from day dot. So I mean, maybe it's. Kids are the. Yeah.

[Rob]

Is it us just.

[David Farrier]

I think we're. I think we're. Maybe we're prudes. We might be.

[Rob]

That's just uncomfortable with.

[David Farrier]

Like I said, the thing. Are we. I mean, fancy this. Are we the problem? I mean, the problem.

[Rob]

That's a problem. That's kind of. I think we're dancing around. This whole conversation is like, is it an us problem?

[David Farrier]

Yeah.

[Rob]

But I also don't think I. Well, I think the main thing is that we're trying to be non judgmental.

[David Farrier]

Yeah. You're trying not to get divorced after this trip that you took. Okay, so now. But speaking of this, some legitimate criticism. I pulled this up earlier. The Orange County National Organization for Women, as well as three other California chapters filed a complaint against Hooters with several district attorneys in 2010. They criticize Hooters for having it both ways and operating as a legal bait and switch by simultaneously advertising itself as a family restaurant, which is what we were just talking about, and allowing minors. While defending itself against charges of sex discrimination by claiming that the restaurant is based on female sex appeal. The complaint called on authorities to either force Hooters to stop admitting children into the premises or stop sex discrimination in its hiring practices.

[Rob]

Fair.

[David Farrier]

Yeah, completely. Several studies suggest that working at Hooters and other restaurants takes a psychological toll on its employees, with higher levels of objectification being associated with lower job satisfaction and higher levels of anxiety and eating disorders. Other side of that coin. Feminism. Having a choice and being able to do what you want as a woman.

[Rob]

Well, so I did like that part. I don't think I was aware of how much of a matriarch it sounds like some of the locations are that Avery mentioned.

[David Farrier]

Totally.

[Rob]

And like, if it's A bunch of women running this place, and they're protecting one another. And.

[David Farrier]

Yeah, like, what is the problem with that?

[Rob]

That part sounds great.

[David Farrier]

I would note that on the Wikipedia page under. I always like looking at American restaurants and chains and looking at, like, the legal disputes section in Wikipedia for Hooters. There are so many of them. Yeah, like, so many. And that did jump out at me.

[Rob]

So again, like, an establishment that, like, this is the result. All of these lawsuits are happening.

[David Farrier]

Yeah. Possibly some red flags in the mix. Yes. My favorite lawsuit. No one lawsuit. My favorite one. In 2012, former employee Jerry Stratton filed a suit after catching tuberculosis from one of her managers. So I thought that was a particularly awful example of one of the lawsuits involved in Hooters. But we went to Hooters. There were no lawsuits involved in our trip. I will say that at the top, this is Rob and R's experience. This past weekend, we dedicated a Sunday.

[Rob]

Long beach is on a trafficky Sunday.

[David Farrier]

It is a trip out there, but it was worth it.

[Rob]

It was it. Let's find out.

[David Farrier]

All right, Rob, we're outside Los Angeles cities, only. Hooters, Long Beach. Long beach is a different kind of area, isn't it? Got Ferris wheels. We've got a lot of chains. I see a Bubba Gumps. Got outlet malls. It's a different territory over here.

[Rob]

Yeah. Right next to the aquarium, which. The Long beach aquarium is really great. Can you tell me about these women?

[David Farrier]

Yeah, I mean, it definitely lives up to the name, doesn't it? Instantly, you're like, oh, yeah, this is. This is what I expect Hooters to be. Two waitresses, sort of blonde, smiling. Hooters is here.

[Rob]

Anything else about them that you.

[David Farrier]

I noticed there's a big owl above them, which is possibly where the name comes from. Of the establishment.

[Rob]

Yeah. Very clearly a brustaurant.

[David Farrier]

Rob. Good God. They do have the best logo. Like, it's plausible deniability just in that logo. Okay, so this feels very sports bar y to me. There's, like, sports everywhere. Booths, tables.

[Rob]

You say boobs or booths?

[David Farrier]

Booths. I get booths.

[Susan]

Yeah.

[Rob]

I mean, that's what Avery described it as, the sports bar.

[David Farrier]

Well, I'm looking forward to whatever the sloppiest food is that they're serving up for today. They've got big sports stars plastered all over the walls. Look, there's a baseball player, a football player. You love that shit. Yeah. Yeah. What did Natalie think of you coming here?

[Rob]

She did not want to come, and she would not let us bring Calvin.

[David Farrier]

Chalk me through. The menu here. What a we. What do we got? It's kind of what she said. We've got a lot of seafood and we've got a lot of wings. We've got sliders. It's just all American food, isn't it?

[Rob]

Yeah, Sports bar food.

[David Farrier]

And I'm just going to get the mozzarella sticks, please. So the mozzarella sticks and the hula hoop pina colada.

[Rob]

Can I do six of the original wings and the fried pickles?

[David Farrier]

There's no other novelty. There's a bar in the middle of the place. There's booths around the outside and. Yeah, and they have a few posters of the, I guess the calendar sort of models that they have of the Hooters. Woman, girls, woman. I don't know. It all feels weird to talk about, doesn't it? Feels like I'm walking on eggshells whenever we speak, you know?

[Rob]

Yeah, there's, I guess, more groups of guys, but there's plenty of, like, couples here and families.

[David Farrier]

I didn't expect to see kids here, but yeah, kids here. Just having a chat. I mean, if I had a kid, would I bring them to Hooters? I don't know. I guess that's the decision you have sort of arrived to. At the time I'd mentioned I'd take them other places before I took them to Hooters. Probably. Yeah.

[Rob]

I think that's the thing. There are other places, food wise, that I would probably go first.

[David Farrier]

Yeah, it's a buzzy family trip to take. All right. So I'm very happy with my pina colada. It's just, it's the most bog standard pub food you can imagine. Yeah. Hey, I'm not gonna knock a mozzarella stick. Still hurts to chew a bit, but for the pod, I'll do it. Yes.

[Rob]

Fried pickle.

[David Farrier]

Okay, so Rob is taking one of the breaded hot wings that was recommended to us by our wonderful interview subjects. Rob. He looks reasonably happy.

[Rob]

Yeah, they're fine.

[David Farrier]

A man of few words. It's way more of a stereotype than I was expecting. Like, I thought it would be like paired back, but this is all on display. Display, yeah. I'm surprised at that, actually. Maybe I shouldn't be. I feel like you make so much effort when you're out getting service not to objectify people. Like, if someone's serving me, I'm not going to stare at their breasts or their butts. Whereas here, all of those are on display and it's like, am I still? Am I? Is it insulting If I don't look, am I not. Am I desperately trying to keep my eyes on their eyes and their face? You know, like, what. It's like all the rules flipped, and it. It feels like I shouldn't be staring at anything because that's not what you do. But it's like, is that what is you're meant to do here? Like, it's weird how it fucks with those things.

[Rob]

Yeah. The social norms are flipped here where they're intentionally doing it. But again, it feels kind of gross to.

[David Farrier]

No, I completely agree. Yeah.

[Rob]

Not for them, but for us.

[David Farrier]

Completely.

[Rob]

And just the implications that it puts on us that we decided to dine here.

[David Farrier]

It's fascinating. It really is. Overall, takeaways from Hooters. Rob, we had a great time. Two bros broing down a Hooters. But you wouldn't rush back, Correct? Yeah. So just for us, Rob and I sitting here listening to that back again and this entire episode, just us, tongue tied, just sort of flipping between. Yeah, it's hard. It's hard to talk about. I know. I do want to clarify something. The reason I wanted sloppy food and talked a lot about what I could chew and not chew.

[Rob]

Because you're a big pig if you didn't.

[David Farrier]

And if you didn't. If you missed previous episodes. I had a gum graft. And so I should add, I was in extraordinary pain when I went to Hooters. In my mouth, I could only have. My dentist said, you can only have sloppy food.

[Rob]

That's why you got mozzarella sticks.

[David Farrier]

That's why I got a mozzarella stick and wanted a sloppy menu item. Just. If you're wondering why I was rambling on about that. And look, the thing I want to say that I've been thinking about this a lot, and it was my main takeaway.

[Rob]

You've been thinking about our visit a lot.

[David Farrier]

I have. I'm gonna real talk here for a second. There was way more butt and breast on display than I expected.

[Rob]

Yes. Especially after learning that there was a uniform adjustment. It didn't really seem.

[David Farrier]

I would say, at Long beach, the uniform adjustment has gone in the other direction. Yep. There was very prominent breasts being shown. But my main shock factor and something that I don't see a lot of was, like, a lot of the lower buttocks exposed, which is something that I just really surprised me.

[Rob]

Yeah. It's not something I particularly am looking for when I'm about to eat food.

[David Farrier]

No, totally. It's like, yeah, look, I went there. When I go to Hooters I go to watch sports and have some damn good wings, and if I see some butts or some breasts, I'm angry.

[Rob]

I will say we were there about 20 minutes and left pretty quickly. The food was fine. Not great.

[David Farrier]

That wasn't amazing.

[Rob]

No.

[David Farrier]

I like, for me, it was a very. It felt a very distinctly American experience where it was sports, it was bar food, and it was like, what's on the tin, Hooters? Like, it was. It was as much of an American stereotype as I could have ever, like, wished for.

[Rob]

Yeah.

[David Farrier]

Like, it was. And that is my takeaway. Will I go back? Probably not. You know, but if I. If I. If my. My girlfriend loves the wings there, then of course I'll have to go. If there's a fantasy football draft there, I guess I'll have to go. It's the only place in town that's playing the big game. I guess that's where I'll end up going.

[Rob]

I don't know that I will go back.

[David Farrier]

I do love that we went and ate some rice immediately afterwards just to eat some food.

[Rob]

That was slightly better for context of that. Yeah. We immediately decided we did not want to get full on that food and went next door to PF Chang's, which.

[David Farrier]

Will probably be another episode at some point, because PF Chang's own type of. Very specific bit of America.

[Rob]

Yeah. But I think end of the day, Hooters is not for me, though.

[David Farrier]

You have been there a suspicious number of times. I don't like throughout your life.

[Rob]

I don't like how much it sounds like I've been there.

[David Farrier]

Hey, it's all right. Just two bros eating at Hooters. All right. I think we've learned a lot. I've learned a lot. I think this has been a very 3D episode. We've looked at it from every angle conceivable, the good, the bad. We've talked to people that have worked there decades ago, someone who works there currently. I think we can never be accused of not taking a good hard look at this particular chain. All right, feedback as always. FlightTheSpreadchat Gmail.com Sarah wrote in about our Patreon free episode about ICE and Minneapolis. Lifelong Minnesota resident and a huge fan of the show. I'm brokenhearted about what's happening and touched that you were here and witnessed the utter nonsense that's happening. I also happen to be a registered nurse and absolutely heartbroken for Alex Preddy and his family. And the lies spoken directly after his death was shock. He was an ICU nurse for veterans. He wasn't a terrorist for goodness sake. I've written to my local representatives and am appalled at the responses I got. Mostly it's like this. We are your state representatives and can do nothing about the federal government here. These leaders are, of course Republicans and I assume agree with Donald Trump. I'm ashamed of my federal government but largely proud of my state for protesting peacefully and helping their neighbors. I happen to live near Northfield, Minnesota where there is a large Hispanic community and the stories of people being targeted simply because of skin color make me sick. Thanks for speaking out. The episode really touched me. A lot of feedback continues to come in about our Dungeons and Dragons episode. I just included this one because it's got some puns, Rob, which I know you are basically powered by puns. I die a little inside. Die you roll a die with. Whenever someone confuses die singular with dice plural. I know I stand on a dying hill. I need to learn to accept that language moves on literally is now an intensifier. Its is becoming the standard. As in its with a apostrophes and plurals are becoming the standard. Okay. Is considered rude. I just like people when they get angry about language. So I included that feedback. True Life D and D Anecdote to Finish When I was a teen, I was playing a session in my neighbor's house. His father came in and said, just don't summon any demons. I laughed. I thought it was a joke. But my friend said he's absolutely serious, which is preposterous from my worldview. But what really gets me about that moment is that he apparently sincerely thought we would be able to summon demons in his house with his son. And he let us keep playing. Keep up the great work. Enjoying the rest of the episode.

[Rob]

Now I was listening back to the Peter Matthew Bauer episode. Dungeons and Dragons comes up on that.

[David Farrier]

Oh yeah, that's right.

[Rob]

He mentions like playing it at camp.

[David Farrier]

Yeah.

[Rob]

Weird timing because we recorded that.

[David Farrier]

Like we had a nest session come out last week as well. If you're unaware of this, every month we are releasing a music based flightless bird episode and they're turning out really good.

[Rob]

Yeah, we had Peter Matthew Bauer from the band the Walkman and he talked.

[David Farrier]

About what it was like growing up in a meditation cult, which was wild.

[Rob]

And then a fun chat on.

[David Farrier]

Yeah, got into.

[Rob]

Got into astrology.

[David Farrier]

Yeah.

[Rob]

And just like not a. Like, I don't even know how to describe it but no, I'm not a.

[David Farrier]

Woo guy but I was like very engaged by his.

[Rob]

It was A very practical take on it.

[David Farrier]

Yeah. Which doesn't sound like it makes sense, but listen to the episode and it will.

[Rob]

Yeah, I enjoyed that.

[David Farrier]

Finally, the Milky Bar Kid, our last episode. Steve wrote in saying, just wondering if David is aware the Milkybug Kid started in the UK before it reached New Zealand in Australia. I knew that it was an animated guy, but I think the UK had like a live action guy. A kid? Yeah, a real kid before New Zealand. That shocked me. Apparently New Zealand isn't the center of the universe. That's the news. That's the fake news. And yeah, in the episode we got into, we talked about how my surname farrier, my relatives shoed horses. Lexi wrote in saying it was very common for last names to be professions or based on where you lived in the Middle Ages. Back then, names didn't get passed down from one generation to another. Some examples are Smith, blacksmiths, Taylor. They were tailors. Baker. I think you get where we're going by now. Eventually the name stuck and that's where almost all last names come from. My mum's last name was Fraser, which comes from French, meaning strawberry phrase. Probably saying that incorrectly. Guess what kind of farmers they were. Strawberry farmers.

[Rob]

I knew that was a thing. My commentary on it was more. It would be wild if that was how last names were picked today or. And you're just like pigeonholed and like, this career is. Is what I have to go into because it's my last name completely.

[David Farrier]

We moved away from that was your point at the time? Yes. Lexi. She looked up Rob's surname and it comes from a place with a lot of holly trees, apparently. So your ancestors were surrounded by holly trees.

[Rob]

I do like the idea of every last name coming from a very specific skill set.

[David Farrier]

That's so cool.

[Rob]

Yeah.

[David Farrier]

Like Susan Hooters. Like the career career. Who does. Final bit of feedback which led on from that last bit, which I loved. Susan Verdugo wrote in. And I say her surname because it's very important. My last name is also my family's former occupation. Verdugo translates into executioner. Apparently that's what our ancestors did in Spain. That's pretty baller.

[Rob]

Yeah. It's cool to kill people.

[David Farrier]

I'm not saying it's cool. It's not good. Yeah. It's not cool to kill people.

[Rob]

Capital punishment.

[David Farrier]

But like, executioner is so intense, you know, be right. It's not cool to kill. I shouldn't encourage that. The suitors episode has my brain all in mush.

[Rob]

Go listen to our capital punishment.

[David Farrier]

Maybe that's the wrong something about execution like feel like execution is like back hundreds of years, thousands of years seems.

[Rob]

Which I'm sure the justice system then was much better than now. And the executions were just this Hooters.

[David Farrier]

Topic has basically got my ethics and moral compass all backwards. And now apparently I think executing people is cool. If you have feedback for this episode, as always, flightless breadchat gmail.com we are on Patreon if you want to support us. If you want to listen to ad free episodes each week of our regular episodes and also get bonus episodes, it is patreon.com Flightless Bird we would love to see you there. And yeah, we'll see you next week.

[Rob]

See you next week.