The End of Men, for Real: Hooters Is Desperate for Female Customers
There are lots of statistics you could break out to illustrate the growing power of women in the economy. But if numbers don't do it for you, then just look at what's going on at Hooters. After five years of falling sales, the restaurant chain is trying to revamp its fortunes by easing up on its unreconstructed frat-boy image and appealing more to female customers, all without ditching the waitresses parading around in skimpy t-shirts and shorts. Sound like a tough sell? I think so.
But according to Bloomberg Businessweek, CEO Terry Marks believes that by tweaking the menu with more salads and fresher ingredients, lightening up the beach shack decor, and adding space for a bit of nightlife, the company can at least make its franchises an acceptable destination for more wives and girlfriends. As of now, about two-thirds of their patrons are guys.
"There's an opportunity to broaden the net without putting wool sweaters on the Hooters girls," Marks told the magazine. "Everything we do should appeal more to women, but nothing we will do will turn men off."
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Rather, this might be more about evolving gender norms. Plenty of men don't want to feel like they're at a stag party, and getting more women in the door might help convince guys that, tank tops and all, Hooters is a socially acceptable place to get a beer (As Businessweek puts it, the company would like to "remove the Hooters stigma."
Or take entertainment. One of Hooters' initiatives is to start buying pricey pro sports television packages for each restaurant. The company's chief marketing officer seems to suggest that's part of their female-friendly tack, pointing out that NFL games, for instance, are a "huge draw" for couples. And indeed, at least one survey has suggested 42 percent of the the league's fan base is female. But the fact that football fandom is now a co-ed pastime means that to make their investment count at all, Hooters needs to have a menu and vibe that will lure women on game day along with men. Otherwise, those couples will just head to another sports bar.
http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/09/the-real-end-of-men-hooters-gives-up-on-guys/262407/
this would be the company that on prime time show had the girls eat off a plate without hands. like an animal. ya.... and then giggled like a bunch of asses
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Last edited Mon Sep 17, 2012, 10:22 AM - Edit history (1)
Yeah, the reason women don't frequent Hooters is because we all want fucking salads. So we can, y'know, stay slim and trim and be just like those Hooters girls.
It couldn't possibly have anything to do with the fact that the whole reason for the restaurant's existence is to cater to men's desire to visually consume women as if they are part of the fucking menu. It couldn't possibly have anything to do with objecting to that kind of objectification.
No, no... it's about them not having SALAD on the menu.
...OMG...
...it's about "salads"...
