In its Chicago area expansion, the Hooters-esque, Celtic-themed "breastaurant" chain Tilted Kilt has been no stranger to controversy. This week, those problems continued as Schaumburg residents expressed outrage over the scanty "costumes" the restaurant's waitresses are required to wear at the newly-opened location.
TribLocal reports that, during the Schaumburg Village Board meeting Tuesday, the restaurant's attempt to secure approval of a proposed patio addition to their store was met with several residents' disdain.
“The men that come in there want more than just hot wings,” said one man, 66, who has reportedly lived in the community for more than three decades.
The Schaumburg restaurant's director of operations, however, maintains that the restaurant is a "good establishment with good food, good TVs," according to TribLocal.
When the chain sought to open a restaurant in the heart of Evanston's downtown area earlier this year, a group of residents launched a grassroots movement in opposition. The group collected some 2,000 signatures that urged the town's mayor, Elizabeth Tisdahl, to reject the chain's liquor license. Tisdahl ultimately agreed with those opposed to the bar-restaurant.
"The reasons for the denial stem from the public safety concerns expressed by the residents and the fact that the proposed licensee's establishment does not comply with recognized Evanston community standards," Tisdahl said of her decision, according to Evanston Patch. "The applicant simply cannot overcome the strong community-based opposition to placing a congested and noisy bar in that proposed location."
Without a liquor license, the chain's plans for a Evanston location were cut short, but several other locations have been opened throughout the metropolitan Chicago area, including restaurants in Chicago's Loop, Oakbrook Terrace, Elgin and Chicago Ridge.
But it's not been entirely smooth sailing for many of those restaurants, either. The Chicago Sun-Times reported earlier this month that the liquor license of the chain's Elgin location has been called into question as a result of 16 incidents requiring police attention taking place there within the last year, including a February stabbing. The Elgin Tilted Kilt has also hosted four mixed martial arts battles in their restaurant, violating the terms of their license, according to the city liquor commission.
According to their website, the Tilted Kilt is aware that "sex appeal sells, and it’s largely what brings customers in the door. However, we’re also aware that in order to keep customers coming through the door, there are many other things we have to 'show.'" The site then boosts its attractive "cast members," who strive to "'connect' with [their] guests."