How Old Do You Have to be to Work at Hooters?
There are different minimum age requirements for entry-level jobs at Hooters. For a to-go position you have to be at least 17-years-old, and to be server, host/hostess, or kitchen staff you must be at least 18-years-old.
Everyone who works at Hooters must embrace the company’s core values: Show You Care, Elevate the Spirit, Respect Everyone, Values Feedback, and Exceeds Expectations.
Teen Jobs at Hooters and Age Requirements
Host/Hostess (Hourly)
The host/hostess at Hooters greets the customer immediately when they enter the restaurant. This position must possess a personal and energetic personality to welcome and seat guests ensuring their needs are accommodated.
The Host recognizes and knows how to assist parties with children, large parties, businessmen/women and all other types of people that enter Hooters doors. The Host controls the flow of the restaurant through seating and to alleviate Hooters Girls from getting multiple tables at one time to ensure each guest gets an excellent service experience.
The Host must be aware of new menu items and specials and be able to answer all questions about the menu. The Host may also act as the person responsible for To Go Orders and selling of Merchandise. The Host follows up with guests as they are leaving to ensure they had a great experience and reminds them of events to come back for.
They are attentive to the FOH atmosphere and ensure that the lighting, music volume, and overall cleanliness are all being kept up for a great first impression.
You must be at least 18 years old to work as a host/hostess at Hooters.
To-Go (Hourly)
The mission of Hooters is to “Make People Happy” and the To Go position is responsible for taking orders via phone, delivery service apps/tablets, online orders, and walk-in guests. This role strives to provide an exceptional experience for To Go guests including a sincere, positive greeting, quick and efficient service time, and order accuracy.
Additional duties of this position will include suggestive selling, ensuring orders are packaged accurately, and receiving payment. The To Go position follows the To Go Service Platform to ensure each guest receives an excellent service experience.
The To Go position must be aware of new menu items and specials and be able to answer all questions about the menu.
To work to-go at Hooters, you must be at least 17 years old.
Kitchen Staff (Hourly)
A Hooters Kitchen employee is an integral part of the day-to-day operations at every Hooters restaurant. The Hooters Kitchen employee is responsible for consistently executing all Hooters kitchen systems and standards to provide the guest the highest quality food products.
The Kitchen employee adheres to all Hooters recipe specifications while preparing or cooking any Hooters menu item and is accountable for safe food handling, food quality standards, and picture perfect presentation. The Kitchen employee demonstrates a willingness to be a team player, has a positive attitude, and meets all Hooters kitchen uniform and grooming standards.
To work in the kitchen at Hooters, you must be at least 18 years old.
Server AKA Hooters Girl (Hourly + Tips)
Being a Hooters Girl is an honor bestowed upon only the most entertaining, goal oriented, glamorous and charismatic women. Hooters Girls have that special gift for making every guest feel welcome. She’ll have of all kinds of opportunities – like appearing in the annual Hooters Swimsuit Calendar. She is an American icon, the world over. A waitress, she is not.
The Hooters Girl is the icon of the Hooters Brand and has drawn guests into Hooters Restaurants for decades. In the restaurant she is identified by her glamorous styled hair, camera ready make-up, and her fit body which all contribute to her confidence and poise.
The Hooters Girl appears to live a healthy, active lifestyle and is captivating to all who visit Hooters restaurants. The Hooters Girl is approachable, upbeat, and attentive to the needs of the guests as she socially engages with, and entertains each individual guest at the front door and on the floor.
The Hooters Girl is knowledgeable about merchandise and menus items. She ensures that only the highest quality food and drinks are served to her guests and is a positive representation of the brand.
To work as a server at Hooters, you must be at least 18 years old because you will be serving alcohol.
Can a 15 Year Old Work at Hooters?
15-year-olds can’t work at Hooters because the minimum age is 17. We do have a page on our website specifically for 15-year-olds that you can view for other options.
Can a 16 Year Old Work at Hooters?
No. 16-year-olds can’t work at most Hooters locations. We do have a page on our website specifically for 16-year-olds that you can view for other options.
How Much Does Hooters Pay Part-Time Workers?
The hourly earnings for employees at Hooters vary because of state and city minimum wage laws. However, we can give you a general idea of what the hourly pay is for each position.
Host/Hostess (Hourly)
As a host/hostess at Hooters, you will be making somewhere between minimum wage and $13 per hour. If this is your first job, then you will most likely start at minimum wage.
The average hourly rate for a Hooters host/hostess is $9.
To Go (Hourly)
The rate of pay for To Go is between $9 and $11 an hour. If this is your first job, you will start toward the lower end of the range.
The average hourly rate for a Hooters To-Go Specialist is $9.
Cook/Kitchen Staff (Hourly)
The rate of pay for cooks is between $9 and $16 an hour. If you have some prior work experience, your hourly rate will be negotiable.
The average hourly rate for a Hooters cook is $11.
Server AKA Hooters Girl (Hourly + Tips)
The biggest part of server pay is tips. You will receive a server wage, which is usually around $3 to $5 per hour, plus your cash tips.
The hourly earnings for a Hooters server can be as high as $20 - $25 an hour, depending on the shift.
How Much Experience Do You Need to Work at Hooters?
Hooters is an entry-level friendly company. You can apply for all non-management positions without any prior work experience.
What Should You Wear to a Job Interview at Hooters?
Hooters is a popular restaurant chain, so when you show up for your interview, you will want to be dressed in casual or business casual attire. There is no need to over-dress. Consider something like a buttoned-down shirt with nice slacks or jeans and dress shoes.
If you are applying to be a Hooters Girl, then appearance is very important. They require you to be in good shape, so you can wear the revealing Hooters server uniform, and you must have your makeup and hair done.
Hooters Interview Questions
The possible questions in a job interview are endless, and it always depends on the interviewer. But, there are some common questions that they often ask. Here are some examples.
Why do you want to work here?
Why are they asking?
There are a lot of restaurants to choose from when you are looking for a job, and they want to know why you are interested in joining their team. What makes them stand out? If this is your first job, you will likely get this question right off the bat.
What’s the ideal answer?
There is no wrong answer to this question. Whatever your reason is for applying at Hooters, tell them! Maybe you have a friend that works there or you like their opportunities for advancement. Whatever your reason is for applying at Hooters, just be specific and honest with your answer.
Can you work nights and weekends?
Why are they asking?
Hooters is open seven days a week, and on weekends, they are open as late as 2 a.m. Their part-time teenaged workers usually work the night and weekend hours. If they ask you this question, they want to make sure that you can work those hours because that’s where you will fit in their schedule.
What’s the ideal answer?
The interviewer wants to hear that you have no problem working nights and weekends. And, as a teenaged worker, this schedule works well around school. Be honest with your answer. If you have other obligations that will prevent you from covering those hours, you have to let them know up front. If you can’t work until close, make that clear.
What is your opinion of the company?
Why are they asking?
Hooters is a sports bar and restaurant that has a controversial aesthetic. The Hooters Girls are dressed in low-cut tops and short shorts, and the atmosphere is extremely sexual. They are asking you this question to find out how you feel about the company culture.
What’s the ideal answer?
Just be honest. If you have a problem with the way the servers dress, then you probably aren’t going to get a job. If you think the servers are exploited and you don’t like the company culture, that’s a deal breaker. You have to be OK with what the company stands for, and you need to be knowledgeable about their history and the opportunities in the company, which you can find on their website. So, do your research before your interview.
Benefits of Working at Hooters
Everyone who works at Hooters gets a meal discount each shift. However, the benefits they offer are for full-time workers only.
Benefits include:
- Flexible Spending Account
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Flexible schedules
- Maternity and Paternity Leave