Bangkok gives a Hoot(ers)

HOOTERS, the international restaurant chain that describes itself as “delightfully tacky yet unrefined”, arrived in Bangkok late last month after testing the waters down in Phuket and finding them very much to its liking. 

Located in Sukhumvit Soi 15, it offers the full range of American comfort foods for which it is known, all of them brought to the table at a gorgeous Hooter Girl.

Now serving more than 1.5 |million happy guests per week in some 430 locations around the world, the first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida. The brand is well-known for food and fun, featuring a casual sports bar atmosphere, a menu that’s heavy on seafood, sandwiches and chicken wings, and most notably the friendly service provided by the American cheerleaders known as the Hooters Girls. 

“Hooters Girls are the brand of the restaurant. They are the ones that make Hooters unique,” Miss Hooters International 2015, Meagan Pastorchik, told us in an exclusive interview on the eve of the grand opening night last week. A native of North Charleston, South Carolina, the 21-year-old beauty competed for the title against 100 other young women at the 19th annual swimsuit competition. The finalists were selected from more than 18,000 Hooters waitresses who currently work in one of the chain’s restaurants worldwide.

“People come to Hooters for a different experience; if they want to look at plain, normal girls they can go other restaurants. Hooters Girls are the image and the face of the brand, and we have to uphold that image,” Pastorchik says proudly.

”You’re the girl next door who is fit and pretty with nice hair, makeup and manicure, and no stains on the uniform. It’s not easy!”

Hooters patrons are enticed by the casual and relaxing atmosphere, which is largely generated by the well-trained girls whose job it is to serve as well as entertain the customers.

“Because Hooters is known for the Hooters Girls, most people think it’s just for guys but it’s not”, says Pastorchik, who is now the global brand ambassador of the chain. 

“Hooters is for everyone – women, friends, business people and families. It is a restaurant where you can go and watch sports, drink beers and interact with pretty girls – nothing more. 

“It offers the overall experience, not just great chicken wings! There’s entertainment value too, which a lot of restaurants don’t have. In the US kids love Hooters. We bring them balloons and do dances with them. We’ve had kid soccer teams, birthday parties and bachelorette parties – literally everyone can come and enjoy.”

Pastorchik is using her Hooters experience to prepare her for a future career in management of a big corporate firm.

“Hooters changed my life. I worked in a bunch of restaurants. I have no money and not much education. I was going to be a waitress all my life. Hooters showed me that there is opportunity and they pushed me and encouraged me to do more, to become better. That’s why I decided to go to school.

“I’m now a full-time student, and this job allows me to work for money and get education in a full time programme. Hooters work around your school schedule, which a lot of jobs don’t. I always tell new girls that if you want a better opportunity in life, you’re at the right spot because Hooters likes to hire from within. Hooters girls can become trainers, area coaches, international trainers, management and then work for corporate Hooters. One day you could be the chief executive! If you put in the work, the opportunity is there.”

 

Hooters Bangkok is on the ground level of Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok on Sukhumvit Soi 15 (BTS Asoke). It is open daily from 10am till 1am. 

For reservation, |call (02) 006 6001-3; www.HootersBangkok.com.