Hooters may have finally figured out a way to lure Mom in the door: Give her free food.
For one day, at least.
The chain famous for its waitresses in sexy uniforms has long struggled to attract female customers — particularly mothers. But this Mother's Day, it hopes to lure mothers nationwide by offering free entrees — worth up to $10 — for mothers who bring a kid along and buy any drink.
Many restaurant chains have Mother's Day come-ons — with restrictions — this year, like small cups of yogurt at TCBY; free slices of pie at O'Charley's and Shoney's; and free truffles at McCormick & Schmick's. But very few are giving away the whole meal.
For Hooters, which is desperately trying to improve its food, its look and its image, the move illustrates what a 30-year-old chain must do that has fallen so far. Although Hooters has offered free wings on special occasions like Mother's Day before, this is the chain's first freebie offer on a breadth of entrees. This also is the first year the chain has sold entree salads — which it also hopes will attract some women.
(Read More: Hooters to Waitress: No Hair? No Job, Lawsuit Says)