Women’s group says Hooters breaking law by serving minors

The National Organization for Women has filed a complaint with California police and prosecutors alleging that local Hooters restaurants are breaking the law by serving to minors.

San Francisco Chronicle reporter Bob Egelko writes that NOW -- best known for pursuing legal remedies for sexism and promoting women as candidates for public office -- is accusing the restaurant of luring minors into its franchises, which are designed for maximum display of decolletage. The complaint points out that the Hooters chain supplies "child menus, high chairs and booster seats, and sells T-shirts in children's sizes that identify the wearer as a 'Future Hooters Girl.' " The businesses are classified as "adult," so they cannot legally serve minors, the complaint says.

Attorney Mona Lisa Wallace, president of NOW's San Francisco chapter, told news station KTVU that the complaint is an attempt to expose hypocrisy inherent in Hooters' legal and marketing strategy. In order to skirt equal-opportunity employment laws that bind restaurants, Hooters calls itself an adult business that provides "vicarious sexual entertainment." Hooters is thus allowed to hire primarily young and attractive women without having to fear discrimination suits from men or older women the company refuses to hire.

But, Wallace says, by serving children as if it were a normal restaurant, Hooters is trying to (illegally) have its cake and eat it too.

KTVU found at least one Hooters fan, however, who complained the group is "picking on" Hooters.

Hooters public relations' team hasn't issued a statement yet, but we'll update this post as soon as they get back to us.

(Screenshot of $12.95 baby romper: Hooters.com.)