It is one of the most controversial bar openings to hit Greater Manchester. Huge opposition built up against plans for a Hooters at Salford Quays, where scantily-clad waitresses would don the American brand's famous uniform.
Dozens sent objections to the council while high-profile critics included Salford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey, the city's mayor Paul Dennett and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham. Groups including the Women's Equality Party, Womanchester and Male Allies Challenging Sexism also lined up against the proposal.
Yet despite the backlash surrounding a business critics described as 'regressive', 'sexist' and 'like something from the 1970s', the plans were given the green light by Salford City Council. Now, the manager of the only existing Hooters in the country has told Nottinghamshire Live of her excitement about the chain's expansion - insisting women who work at the restaurant are 'empowered'.
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The Nottingham branch is currently the only Hooters in the country and is one of the city's most popular restaurants. It makes it as popular destination for both hen and stag nights, while the bar is often packed for sporting events, including Nottingham Forest's recent success in the Championship play-off final.
Ahead of new openings in both Salford and Liverpool, Nottingham restaurant manager Olivia Wright said: "It takes away the novelty slightly that it won't be the only one but even if another opens, then you all fall under the same umbrella. We are all very connected so it's good to see it expanding as there is always room for a new restaurant with more people involved. It's exciting."
Olivia says she was drawn to working in the restaurant after it was recommended to her by a friend. She has been with the company for 10 years after starting as a waitress and rising to be a manager.
Olivia said: "A friend was working here and said how much fun it was so I thought, why not? It's kind of my personality anyway as I'm very outgoing so I thought I would give it a go. It's clearly stuck as I've worked here a long time."
The restaurant is infamous over its uniform - which was the main source of concern for those opposing the plans in Salford. But Olivia has defended the 'iconic' clothing and believes it can have a positive impact on those who wear it.
She said: "Everyone is different and feels differently. I feel the uniform is amazing and body confident. It makes women feel amazing and empowered.
"I've never had anyone feel uncomfortable about wearing it and we wouldn't make anyone feel uncomfortable in that situation. It's iconic so you know what the uniform is going to be."
Olivia added: "People assume it's predominately men [who visit Hooters] but it's definitely not the case as it's completely mixed. We have a lot of families coming in as we are a neighbourhood-friendly restaurant and children eat free on a Sunday.
"We do get a lot of men but women love sports too so it's mixed. We get a lot of hen dos and I love when they come in as we get to make them feel like they are part of the Hooters brand."
Olivia insists she has had some amazing experiences with Hooters, including being sent to Vegas to compete in Miss Hooters in 2017. She says there are not that many businesses that would do that for their staff.
"My favourite memory is the annual bikini competition we used to do," said Olivia. "I won in 2017 and the company paid for me to go to Vegas for 10 nights to compete.
"The competition is huge and we currently have another one of our girls over in Lake Tahoe doing the same thing. There aren't many 23-year-olds who can say they have that experience."
Abbey Goodacre, a waitress at Hooters, only started working at the restaurant last year but already feels that there is a strong community between the women. She was drawn to working there after visiting the restaurant when she was younger.
She said "When I was younger, I used to come here with my dad because Hooters has been here for a while. Then I started working here about a year ago. I started during the Euros so it was very busy."
Abbey added: "The best part is making a lot of friends when you work here. There are a lot of girls here but everyone is so nice. We go out together for dinner and drinks. It's a little community."
Olivia and Abbey's comments stand in stark contrast to the backlash Hooters received as plans for the Salford Quays restaurant were unveiled. Salford mayor Paul Dennett said in May: "The nature of the business jars with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s gender-based violence strategy, reinforcing archaic and unwelcome attitudes towards women.
"Greater Manchester is home to 1.4million women and girls and we will continue to champion progress towards gender equality. Hooters would be a regressive step for Salford and Greater Manchester."
Michael Conroy, of the Men At Work group, added: “I have spent years working with teenage lads around sexism and respectful behaviour and what it means to be a man. We have an obligation to speak out when things like this come up.
"This place makes the girls that work there seem like they are part of the menu. This is something that has no place in 2022."
But following Salford City Council's decision to issue the restaurant a licence earlier this month, Hooters UK owner Julian Mills told the M.E.N. it would be a 'restaurant for everyone'. An opening date for the new bar is yet to be confirmed.
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