Hooters has come under fire after a video showed employees buying tights from a vending machine in the toilets. Watch here:
In a viral video posted lasted month, TikTok user @kenzjee - who works at the controversial restaurant chain - revealed how staff purchase the tights they're required to wear as part of their uniform.
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Standing alongside a colleague in the public toilets, she said: "People always ask me about our tights machine and I have to buy tights today so I'll just make a video about it."
In the video - which has been viewed 4.7 million times - she can be seen inserting $5 into the machine before selecting 'Suntan B', which apparently indicates the shade and length of the tights.
Naturally, people were pretty confused and shocked by the company's system.
One person commented: "It's a company uniform, company should pay for it.. Making money from your employees is bad business.."
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Another added: "why do you have to pay for them if it is part of the uniform? cause in my opinion the boss should provide them for free..."
A third said: "if they don't supply my uniform why am I working there is my question."
In the comments section, the employee said Hooters doesn't provide the tights for free because they are considered 'undergarments', so they have to sell them through a third party company.
She added that the tights are tax-deductible and the vending machine is indeed located in the public toilets.
In a follow-up video, she explained: "It is in the normal bathroom but we don't encourage customers to buy them.
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"They're here for our convenience so it's just kind of inconsiderate.
"One time we had this woman buy 15 pairs of them. It was just really rude. They're $5 a pair why would you do that if you don't have to?
"They're here for our convenience so we don't really encourage it but it does happen and we can't really stop them."
LADbible has contacted Hooters for comment.
The chain come under fire in October when it introduced new shorts which staff complained were 'like underwear'.
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Initially, employees were reportedly told they must wear the new more revealing design, but following a backlash, Hooters said staff would be able to choose whichever shorts they prefer.
A spokesperson said: "As we continue to listen and update the image of the Hooters Girls, we are clarifying that they have the option to choose from traditional uniforms or the new ones.
"They can determine which style of shorts best fits their body style and personal image.
"We're excited to see a national trend toward self-expression and inclusivity that bodes well for our marketplace.
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"We work continuously with our Hooters Girls to refresh and update the image of our brand ambassadors and to empower them to feel their best while at work."
Jake Massey