Hooters offers Mom free food on Mother's Day
Hooters may have finally figured out a way to lure Mom in the door: Give her
free food.
For one day, at least.
The chain famous for its waitresses in sexy uniforms has long struggled to attract female customers — particularly mothers. But this Mother's Day, it hopes to lure mothers nationwide by offering free entrees — worth up to $10 — for mothers who bring a kid along and buy any drink.
Many restaurant chains have Mother's Day come-ons — with restrictions — this year, like small cups of yogurt at TCBY; free slices of pie at O'Charley's and Shoney's; and free truffles at McCormick & Schmick's. But very few are giving away the whole meal.
For Hooters, which is desperately trying to improve its food, its look and its image, the move illustrates what a 30-year-old chain must do that has fallen so far. Although Hooters has offered free wings on special occasions like Mother's Day before, this is the chain's first freebie offer on a breadth of entrees. This also is the first year the chain has sold entree salads — which it also hopes will attract some women.
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One restaurant industry consultant who thinks that Hooters is demeaning to women finds the promotion to be pathetic.
"It's like offering Weight Watchers customers a free meal with dessert at The Cheesecake Factory," says consultant Linda Lipsky. "There are enough calories in most of their desserts for 50% or more of your daily allowance. Giving it free doesn't make it any better."
For one day, at least.
The chain famous for its waitresses in sexy uniforms has long struggled to attract female customers — particularly mothers. But this Mother's Day, it hopes to lure mothers nationwide by offering free entrees — worth up to $10 — for mothers who bring a kid along and buy any drink.
Many restaurant chains have Mother's Day come-ons — with restrictions — this year, like small cups of yogurt at TCBY; free slices of pie at O'Charley's and Shoney's; and free truffles at McCormick & Schmick's. But very few are giving away the whole meal.
For Hooters, which is desperately trying to improve its food, its look and its image, the move illustrates what a 30-year-old chain must do that has fallen so far. Although Hooters has offered free wings on special occasions like Mother's Day before, this is the chain's first freebie offer on a breadth of entrees. This also is the first year the chain has sold entree salads — which it also hopes will attract some women.
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One restaurant industry consultant who thinks that Hooters is demeaning to women finds the promotion to be pathetic.
"It's like offering Weight Watchers customers a free meal with dessert at The Cheesecake Factory," says consultant Linda Lipsky. "There are enough calories in most of their desserts for 50% or more of your daily allowance. Giving it free doesn't make it any better."
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