A breastaurant is a restaurant that requires female waiting staff to be dressed skimpily. The term dates from the early 1990s after restaurant chain Hooters opened in the United States.[1] The format has since been adopted by other restaurants, including Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery, Twin Peaks, Ojos Locos, Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill, The WingHouse Bar & Grill, Redneck Heaven, and Bombshells Bar & Grill.[2][3][4]
These restaurants often use a sexual double-entendre brand name and may also be themed. The restaurants may offer perks for customers, such as alcoholic drinks and flirty servers.[5]
History
Hooters is credited as the first breastaurant, having operated since 1983. Other companies soon adopted the format.[6] According to food industry research firm Technomic, the top three breastaurant chains in the United States after Hooters each had sales growth of 30% or more in 2011.[7]
In October 2012, Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill successfully registered the term "breastaurant" as a trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office; but as of May 24, 2019, the trademark lapsed under section 8, "Continued use not filed within Grace Period".[8] Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill had closed its last restaurant on December 23, 2018.[9]
Male variations
Restaurants staffed by males, with a similar focus on server appearance, include Tallywackers, featuring scantily clad men, which opened in Dallas, Texas, in May 2015 and closed in August 2016.[10][11] In Japan, there are pop-up establishments such as Macho Cafe[12] and Macho Meat Shop,[13] where brawny men serve food and drinks.
Criticism
Breastaurants have been criticized for sexually objectifying women.[14]
Gallery
See also
- Betel nut beauty
- Bikini barista
- Butler café
- Café con piernas
- Cosplay restaurant
- Hooters Air
- Host and hostess clubs
- Maid café
- No-pan kissa
- Playboy Club
- Sip 'n Dip Lounge
- Wet T-shirt contest
References
- Mikin, Mark. Hostess of the Week, 'Breastaurant' Edition Esquire, 2011-06-27, retrieved 2012-06-28^
- The Week's Editorial Staff. The 'breastaurant' boom: Why Hooters knockoffs are thriving 2012-06-26, retrieved 2012-06-28^
- Breastaurant Boom: Hooters-style eateries experience a mini-boom