Fired Waitress: Hair Complaint Not First Accusation of Discrimination Against Hooters

A fired Hooters waitress who said her hair color led to her dismissal is not the first compliant of discrimination lodged against the restaurant chain.

Farryn Johnson, a black Hooters waitress from Baltimore, claims she was fired because of her hair. Johnson said she was told that, as a black woman, it was not natural to have blonde highlights in her hair.

“My other co-workers, they all had different colors in their hair, like red and blonde highlights. I didn’t think it would be an issue,” she said.

Johnson’s case is not the first lawsuit against Hooters claiming racial or physical discrimination.

Last year a Korea-American customer sued a Hooters in a Queens neighborhood after the restaurant left a receipt with a racial slur on it. Kisuk Cha, 25, said he and his girlfriend were eating at the Hooters location in July 2012 when the food server started “gawking” and “giggling” toward the couple.

After Cha paid his $21.75 tab, he found that the served had written “chinx” on the area designated for the customer’s name. Cha sued the Hooters, alleging racial bias and seeking compensation.

“He was so overwhelmed that he just wanted to go to bed to sleep, but was too angry to do so,” said Daniel Baek, Cha’s lawyer. “This incident has continued to cause him mental anguish. He is haunted by the ridiculing giggles and stares of his persecutor. He does not feel welcome at Hooters and indeed questions whether he is welcomed at any non-Korean establishments.”

In May 2010, another lawsuit was filed against a Hooters in Michigan by an employee who was told in her performance review “that her shirt and short size could use some improvement.” The woman said management offered her a free gym membership, and that if she did not improve her looks in 30 days she would be fired

The latest fired waitress is taking her hair complaint right to the top. She has filed a grievance with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights.