Hooters Ain’t what they Used to be

[Inspire]

Hooters Ain’t what they Used to be

Orlando Barton

 

 

When Hooters opened in Thailand, I predicted they would fail.  In my not-so-humble opinion, creating a restaurant staffed by beautiful girls with cold beer and sports broadcast on every wall was not such a novel idea in Thailand.  “Like bringing sand to the beach” I said.  And even though the franchise seems to have taken root fairly well here in the Land of Smiles, I’m still a grumbling old naysayer.

 

I hear you thinking, “Orlando, what do you have against Hooters?”

 

Put simply, Hooter’s represents a nostalgic period in my youth.  I would prefer to freeze it back in that kinder, gentler and simpler time.  Why yes, I will explain.

 

Many people have no idea about the history of the Hooter’s franchise.  Back in 1983 six guys from Clearwater, Florida that had no former restaurant or bar experience, took up a business residence in a cursed old nightclub building that had housed six failed enterprises.  They launched their harebrained Hooter’s scheme on 1 April, 1983 so that if it failed they could claim it was all an April Fool’s joke.  Now Hooter’s has 430 locations in 44 US states and 29 countries.  The largest Hooter’s are in Singapore, Tokyo and Sao Paulo.  They even have a casino and hotel in Las Vegas.

Still I hear you thinking, “Orlando, so why are you hating on Hooter’s?”

 

The original business model for Hooter’s was to serve hearty he-man bar food like hot chicken wings, juicy hamburgers and big piles of curly fries.  Sports would be broadcast from the biggest televisions available throughout the restaurant and ice cold pitchers of beer would be served by scantily clad young women.

 

Full story: http://www.inspirepattaya.com/pattaya/hooters-aint-used/

 

 

-- © Copyright Inspire Pattaya 2017-06-04

[Lucky mike]

So nostalgia is not what it used to be ?

[Kabula]

Many of the Thai Hooter employees are pretty, but short on the expected, nostalgic, Hooter image.

 

Too pricy as well.

 

 

[Thaidream]

Why would anyone from America or Europe travel thousands of miles to Bangkok to end up in a Western Pub that is overpriced ad overrated  when there are literally thousands of Thai bars/Pubs with prettier ladies and cheaper beer. 

Hooters?-   Forget about it!!!

[smotherb]

Never was impressed with hooters and I am from the Clearwater area.  I do not like panty hose, I prefer skin. In Asia, the skin is even more important--in the States the panty hose at least cover the cellulite, blotchy pale-white skin and hairy-veined legs all too often found. The prices are hefty in the US, and even more so here. And here, panty hose clad legs, exorbitant prices, cold beer and sports on TV just does not provide all that can be had.    

[impulse]

Last month I spotted the familiar orange and white logo of Hooter’s at a softball tournament in East Pattaya.  While I was getting a shot of the Hooter’s corporate Tuk Tuk, I was flagged down by two modern day International Hooter’s girls for an impromptu photo shoot.  After an hour of giggling flirty fun with these two I had to reassess my position.  In the end I concluded, “No, Hooter’s ain’t what it used to be, maybe it’s time for me to let go of the past”.

 

I wonder if that's code for "not all the Hooters girls are really girls" here in Pattaya?

[cracker1]

New Hooters opening this month on Samui.

[Doctorbu]

I grew up on rock and roll here in the USA...the 2 Hooters locations I've seen in Thailand (Nana BKK & Beach Road Pattaya) were playing the music so  loud (even by Thai standards)  I couldn't hear myself think much less carry on a conversation with my girl. Not like that in the US....and I'd swear it's more expensive also. 

[Peterw42]

8 minutes ago, Doctorbu said:

I grew up on rock and roll here in the USA...the 2 Hooters locations I've seen in Thailand (Nana BKK & Beach Road Pattaya) were playing the music so  loud (even by Thai standards)  I couldn't hear myself think much less carry on a conversation with my girl. Not like that in the US....and I'd swear it's more expensive also. 

You took a girl to Hooters ? And went there to have a conversation ?

[kiniyow]

I really don't see a bright future in Pattaya for this type of Business?

[impulse]

22 minutes ago, kiniyow said:

I really don't see a bright future in Pattaya for this type of Business?

 

I can see it.  All it takes is a couple of ventures into local restaurants that disappoint (to put it mildly) and visitors will seek out the familiar, just to reduce their toilet time. 

 

I used to go to the Hard Rock Cafe in Beijing every chance I could, in spite of the high prices, mediocre food, snooty staff and snootier customers.  But they never sent me for the Imodium.  Can't say that about the unfamiliar local restaurants in Beijing.  Sure, after a year or so I knew which ones were good- but tourists don't have the luxury of time like that.

 

 

Edited June 4, 2017 by impulse

[BWPattaya]

The one being built in Phnom Phen will fail as well

[Techno Viking]

Yawn.

[Lokie]

Went on a lads tour of Florida in 2000, ended up one time in Hooters Fort Lauderdale,  was great all was well - beer flowing, tables full of food, pretty girls (we had never been in a Hooters before) my mate took a pic of one of the girls who was smoking Hot, lol the head Hooters girl went absolutely Ape about it, she was throwing a right fit... the lad who took the snap was only 21 (he looked about 15) we was all pi $$ ing our sides laughing as he was crapping it in front of this super hot chick ripping into him...

 

have been in Patong Hooters couple times, but wouldn't go out of my way for it, more a case of taking friends there who have never been to one and want to see it

[mogandave]

Much more fun to take Thai guys to Hooters in SoCal than go to Hooters in Thailand.


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[Khon Kaen Dave]

Have been to many Hooters over the states. At first it was a delight, loved the tight t shirts. But later is was a bore.As i said, the tight t shirts(which you cant buy a copy of in the sales shop) are great, but the shorts over thick orange tights, were a bit boring.

[atyclb]

hooters considered quite a good job for girls as the starting salary reportedly 40,000 tb. all girls must be bonafide university grads with decent english skills.  some food is ok but overpriced yes. some friends have dated them and they did not gold dig as stated proud to have a good job. imo average iq hooters girls significantly above average bg. iq matters cause the brain is connected to other body regions.

[impulse]

9 minutes ago, atyclb said:

iq matters cause the brain is connected to other body regions.

 

Double edge sword of the dangerous variety.

 

[Chou Anou]

I said this when I heard it was opening, and I'll say it again.  A Hooters on Sukhumvit soi 4?  Like opening a McDonalds in the middle of a street full of fine steak restaurants.  And as it turns out, a McDonalds where you pay MORE than you do at the steak restaurant. 

[Oceanbat]

I don't mind it. I go the the one on 15 every couple of months or so and it's always busy.

OB


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[bontang]

5 hours ago, kiniyow said:

I really don't see a bright future in Pattaya for this type of Business?

Hooters is over Priced Bottle of Beer @ 175  Bath  Rip Off,

[MyFriend You]

Hooters Soi 4 Nana has DUDES serving beer day & night!!!!!  Who in hell wants some skinny Thai Dude erving you a beer in Hooters.  Had a chat with the Manager, told him until he gets the girls back behind the bar, I won't be visiting, and tell all my friends as well.................we pay the extra Bahts to see scantily clad young girls serving beer & Chicken Wings!!

[piersbeckett]

I'm sorry; I thought the topic would be on rhinoplasty.

[ericthai]

 

6 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

You took a girl to Hooters ? And went there to have a conversation ?

Why not?? In the US it's now considered a family place.  Some of the places have small playgrounds for the kids to play.  My Thai wife likes hooters. We haven't been to any of the hooters in Thailand yet.

[JohnJay]

3 hours ago, atyclb said:

hooters considered quite a good job for girls as the starting salary reportedly 40,000 tb.

Holy shit, that can't be true? The times I've seen hooters in Pattaya it's only had 2-3 farangs and at least a dozen ladies twiddling their thumbs. Their prices must be seriously jacked up if they're paying this much salary.

[Wake Up]

9 hours ago, Thaidream said:

Why would anyone from America or Europe travel thousands of miles to Bangkok to end up in a Western Pub that is overpriced ad overrated  when there are literally thousands of Thai bars/Pubs with prettier ladies and cheaper beer. 

Hooters?-   Forget about it!!!

Exactly 100 percent correct. 

[chickenslegs]

4 hours ago, atyclb said:

hooters considered quite a good job for girls as the starting salary reportedly 40,000 tb. all girls must be bonafide university grads with decent english skills.  some food is ok but overpriced yes. some friends have dated them and they did not gold dig as stated proud to have a good job. imo average iq hooters girls significantly above average bg. iq matters cause the brain is connected to other body regions.

You really need to provide a link to evidence that the starting salary is (reportedly) 40,000 Baht/month.

Personally, I don't believe it - but I am prepared to be proven wrong.

[balo]

Hooters is a stupid idea. They will never get my business. 

[oldhippy]

I am not a native English speaker, maybe that explains my confusion.

I always thought that hooters are big boobs, large tits?

???? IN THAILAND ????

[Seismic]

As I sat in Hillary 4 bar directly across the road from Hooters at Nana hotel, I could not but muse on the differences, Crazy beer prices, average food and girls who...do not meet the Hooters image. I have visited hooters bars in 5 US states, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo and the UK. Unfortunately the franchise in Thailand needs a rethink.