Hooters girls’ fury over ‘X-rated’ uniform change prompts backflip

The iconic US restaurant has been forced to change its policy on the cheeky uniform change after staff revolted online.

Hooters has been forced to backtrack on a decision to mandate all staff wear its new revealing uniform.

The restaurant had been blasted by some staff on social media over its cheeky new shorts – which some waitresses have branded “X-rated”.

A statement from the company said: “As we continue to listen and update the image of the Hooters Girls, we are clarifying that they have the option to choose from traditional uniforms or the new ones.

“They can determine which style of shorts best fits their body style and personal image.

“We’re excited to see a national trend toward self-expression and inclusivity that bodes well for our marketplace.”

It continued that the company continuously worked with “our Hooters Girls to refresh and update the image of our brand ambassadors and to empower them to feel their best while at work.”

The restaurant chain’s new dress code featured revealing short-shorts that were panned online by its own Hooters girls. Picture: TikTok

The embarrassing U-turn comes after the short-shorts were panned online by its own Hooters girls.

“This sh*t is rated porn,” Alabama waitresses Easten Brewer and Katherine Nicole mouthed the words exclaimed by Travis Scott in a TikTok close-captioned: “When Hooters gets even shorter shorts.”

They weren’t the only ones up in arms over the indecent exposure inspired by the new uniforms.

“With the new tights, I can’t even cover the front of my leggings,” panned Hooters bartender Kristen Songer, 22, in a TikTok video of herself modelling the new skin-tight, bikini-cut black bottoms and comparing them to the less-revealing former shorts.

She then turns around to reveal her backside.

“And oh! Oh look, a wedgie!”

The eatery known for its chicken wings and scantily clad serving staff had implemented the new less covered dress code earlier this month.

“Starting October 4, all Hooters girls should wear the new shorts when working once they arrive to stores,” reads a recent Hooters policy notice, reported by the New York Post.

“The old shorts should not be worn.”

“The new black shorts … they do not have a bottom,” Ms Songer noted. “They have a crotch string.”

The University of South Carolina School of Medicine student then poses before the camera in an orange and black pair of the phased out Hooters uniform shorts over a pair of grey leggings.

The staffer then puts on the new shorts, saying: “This is not what I agreed to wear a year ago when I was hired.”

Some Hooters Girls called the new uniforms ‘X-rated’. Picture: TikTok

The new shorts are significantly skimpier than the old version. Picture: TikTok

Company isn’t backing down

The chain’s rollout of the extremely revealing uniform did not go down well with staff.

Giselle Nguyen, a 20-year-old Hooters employee in Texas, shook her head before a camera to express disbelief while holding up a pair of the skimpy thong-shaped bottoms.

“I know it ain’t my new uniform shorts,” she complained in her video. “What’s that supposed to fit?”

But before agreeing to let staff choose between the new or “traditional” uniforms, the company based in Atlanta, Georgia, had doubled down on the change.

According to a memo, Hooters supplied each staffer three pairs of the new bottoms – in both black and orange.

Ms Songer explained the black shorts were worn by bartenders or allowed to be worn by waitresses on Fridays.

The orange shorts are exclusively for waitresses.

“[We] hope this change would create excitement with all of our current Hooters Girls. We understand that this may be a change that may not suit your personal preference,” the memo reads, according to the Post.

Hooters bartender Kristen Songer, 22, showed off the old orange uniform shorts that have been replaced as of October 4. Picture: TikTok

She then posed with the new skin-tight, bikini-cut black bottoms. Picture: TikTok

It went on: “We would ask that you try them out and, if after two weeks, you are still hesitant to wear the new shorts you may transfer to a non-image based position or resign your position as a Hooters Girl.

“If you choose to resign you will be eligible for rehire.”

The company appears to place a high regard on its uniforms, making them only available to “actively employed Hooters girls”.

In an answer to a Frequently Asked Question about purchasing the uniform, the company states: “The Hooters Girl is every bit as special and coveted to us as she is to you.

“As a result, the Hooters Girl uniform is only available to actively employed Hooters Girls.“

It goes on to suggest that the company wants to keep its staffers safe.

“We are very protective of our girls and our brand.”

Yet the classic orange shorts that have since been discontinued as the official uniform, can be bought by customers.

“We do, however, offer the classic Hooters Girl orange shorts,” according to the site.

“We also sell a ribbed tank top and the Lycra tank top just like our girls wear.”

This story first appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission