Hooters waitresses in South Florida report that their locations have consistently been family-friendly, a sentiment that aligns with the original founders' renewed focus on broadening the chain's appeal. Since the founders regained control of the company and its corporate bankruptcy last year, there has been a stated effort to dial back what CEO Neil Kiefer described as an oversexualized image and to reemphasize food and hospitality. This strategy aims to attract families and younger customers to locations that had, in some instances, become what Kiefer called "little boys' club stores."
However, at the Hooters locations in South Florida, which have remained under the operation of the original ownership group, servers like Gracie Williams and Micayla Williams say the atmosphere has always catered to a diverse clientele.
"Here in South Florida, nothing is changing for us," Gracie Williams, who has worked for Hooters for nearly six years, told Fox News Digital. "We are the same Hooters girls that we have been from the start." Williams, who is featured on the July cover of the Hooters calendar, noted that their locations have always been welcoming.
Micayla Williams, a two-year Hooters employee, echoed this, stating, "Nothing's really changed for our locations. We get families. We get elderly people. We get teenagers, even kids."
Kiefer's vision for the chain involves a consistent broad base of consumer appeal, similar to the brand's original concept. He has emphasized hospitality, food, and community involvement, moving away from what he termed "renegade stores" that had become "oversexualized."
In South Florida, community involvement has been a long-standing practice. "We're always building an oasis for others to come. Good food, hot wings, cold beer and, of course, pretty girls," Gracie Williams said. She highlighted the mix of customers, noting that during the day, families are a significant part of the crowd, especially at beachside locations. "Obviously, we get more families during the day," she said, adding that date nights are also common.
Gracie Williams described how parents and children frequent their oceanfront location, with children often playing on the beach while parents dine. "The parents come and hang, and the kids are out on the beach. And then when the kids come up, there's a bunch of food for all the kids."
Fundraising events are another aspect of community engagement. Gracie Williams pointed to events where a portion of sales benefits local charities and youth sports organizations. She recalled hosting rugby players and multiple teams at a recent fundraiser, reinforcing the restaurant's role within the community. "A lot of people think, 'Oh, regulars are a man or someone that just gives you a lot of money.' But here at Hooters, regulars aren't necessarily that. Regulars are our family," she said.
As Hooters navigates a brand evolution to appeal to a new generation of customers, the employees in South Florida maintain that their local experience has consistently included families and community support, reflecting a customer base broader than the chain's popular stereotype.