Not to be topped, Hooters offers value menu
Filed under: Sex Sells, Recession Diaries
In these recessionary times, patrons of Hooters are more interested in eying their wallets than scantily clad waitresses, or so it would seem. The Atlanta-based restaurant chain, better known for its buxom waitresses than its cuisine, is joining the gaggle of casual-dining establishments in offering a value-priced menu in the hope of drawing more... umm, clientele.
Seeing as the NFL regular season is nearly underway and testosterone is hanging heavy in the air, the new menu features a football theme, says Hooters. It's a seasonal menu for the fall.
New menu items start at $4.99 for "Loaded Chips," thick-sliced potato chips topped with bleu cheese, ranch or jalapeno cheese sauce and covered with bacon, diced tomatoes and scallions. For a buck more, you can get a "Hooterstizer Combo," which offers a trio of fried appetizers that include fried pickles. (Hey, if you can fry a zucchini, why not a pickle?)
There's also an $8.99 prime rib sandwich and Hooters chicken strip sandwich served on a ciabatta roll with fries for $6.99. For those who'd rather drink than eat, there's a build-your-own Bloody Mary menu.
But how does the new menu stack up against the competition? Segment leader Applebee's, a unit of DineEquity (DIN) that operates nearly 2,000 stores -- about four times as many as Hooters, offers a $5.95 Pick 'N Pair lunch combo (a name, by the way, which Hooters must be kicking itself for not trademarking).
Other competitors include Chili's, owned by Brinker International Inc. (EAT), which offers three courses for two people for $20, as well as Olive Garden (DRI), which offers all-you-can eat salad and bread sticks, for those prone to carb-loading, for $8.95.
Of course, none of those other chains can quite match Hooters cheerleader-esque waitstaff. And if beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, a fried pickle may be just the thing to sate that hunger.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-31-2009 @ 11:29AM
jeff said...
those dont sound like deals to me.....
Reply
8-27-2009 @ 3:12PM
Bob said...
How about a wing special?
Reply
8-27-2009 @ 3:14PM
Dean said...
Hooters has a menu???????????????
Reply
8-27-2009 @ 3:52PM
ken said...
So there value menu will be served by skinny flat girls :)
8-27-2009 @ 9:47PM
Kim said...
Seriously people, wake up and stop eating this CRAP.
Reply
8-27-2009 @ 3:55PM
the damaged one said...
Hooters is a Florida based Chain.
Nice try though..
Reply
8-27-2009 @ 5:00PM
John said...
Hooter's may have started in Florida, but their headquarters are in Atlanta as reported.
8-27-2009 @ 6:06PM
joe said...
Hooters is the trade name of two privately held American restaurant chains: Hooters of America, Incorporated, based in Atlanta, Georgia, and Hooters, Incorporated, based in Clearwater, Florida.
8-27-2009 @ 4:00PM
Ken said...
All waitresses will be Nancy Pelosi look a likes.
Reply
8-28-2009 @ 4:48AM
jgc711 said...
this is dry humor...
8-27-2009 @ 4:27PM
Bos said...
Who cares about fried pickles!! We need beer and wings specials.
Reply
8-27-2009 @ 4:29PM
charlesdarwin2 said...
Do they still smell like day-old tuna?
Reply
8-27-2009 @ 4:32PM
david427 said...
Applebees and Hooters, two places where the food in unedible.
There's a new Hooters about two miles from me. I went there a few times but stopped going, the food is just too bad to outweigh the other "attractions". I live in the Northeast, maybe it's a regional things. The food and waitresses were a lot better in the south part of the country.
Reply
8-27-2009 @ 5:17PM
SUSIE said...
YEAH BUXOM..THEY TAKE THE CHICKEN FEATHERS AND STUFFED THEM IN THEIR BRAS, OR IS IT SOME KIND OF SILI...STUFF...HMMMMMMMMMM
Reply
8-27-2009 @ 6:41PM
Sarah N. said...
Hooters is GROSS! Those ladies should just be a dancer or something for a "Gentlemen's club". All thogh "Gentlemen's clubs" are kind of creepy. Nevermind.
People I think Hooters is only in business because men LOVE the looks. ((And beer)) I don't even wear bikini's and do NOT apprecitate this immodest dressing! It's revolting!
>:(
I understandd that people need jobs and Hooters is open for it, it's just they should have better dress codes. :]
I'm told their food is NASTY.
People just go to Taco Bell or something.
Reply
8-27-2009 @ 7:13PM
doug K said...
and sarah n, when men Stop wanting to look at women/you is when you need to start to worry, because you are either too stupid fat or lazy to be of interest anymore.
9-01-2009 @ 2:23PM
Ben said...
Sarah N your just jealous that you wish you were as good looking like the ladies that work at Hooters and I see nothing wrong with what they wear at Hooters. Your just out of touch Sarah and a prude as well Hooters can make any dress code they want no one is forcing to go to hooters work there. Hooters has good food I like there hooterburgers, pork sandwich, chicken trenders are pretty good as well.
The only thing I have never been crazy about was there wings I thought that was nasty otherwise hooters has great food plus I like talking to the waitress.
Reply
8-27-2009 @ 7:11PM
doug K said...
Hey Sarah N. I have eaten at more than 50 hooters nationwide, food is decent at decent prices. Mall of america store has the best looking staff by far... And taco bell serves grade "D" beef, it even says: grade "D" but edible on the bags of premix/packaged "beef". for those with a brain, thats 1 step(grade "C") below Dog Food!! Happy dining
Reply
8-28-2009 @ 12:23AM
K Slade said...
It said Grade A on the bag when I worked at Taco Bell. It could have changed but that was about 7 years ago.
8-28-2009 @ 1:45AM
SideshowMatt said...
Hamburger Meat does not have 'grades' So both of you are wrong. While it's true Taco Bell might serve cheap meat...there is no way it could be grade D.