Amanda Shapiro and her mom, Jill, have the same sparkling blue eyes and wide smiles, get their hair and nails done together and even do the weekly grocery shopping as a pair.
But the Cape Coral duo shares something not common to most other mother-daughter combos: They each worked at Hooters to pay their college tuition.
Jill Shapiro worked at the Orlando Hooters nearly 25 years ago. She was a hostess working her way through college, wearing a white polo and white shorts, never graduating to the tight owl-adorned T-shirt and shimmery orange satin shorts of Hooters girls. Amanda Shapiro, however, wears the uniform with pride.
Both laud the company for the way it supports its workers and give it credit for the confidence they gained while on the job.
"I used to be very shy," Amanda Shapiro said, adding that becoming a Hooters girl has given her opportunities that include travel and paying for her nursing degree without taking out students loans. She received her associate degree at FSW this spring and will pursue her bachelor's in nursing at FGCU in the fall.
As Miss Cape Coral, she is one of two local Hooters girls who will compete against 78 others for Miss Hooters International on July 12 and 13 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The other is Miss Fort Myers Sofia Bevarly. They also are among seven Southwest Florida Hooters girls in the 2016 company calendar.
Amanda Shapiro said she met several contestants at last year's pageant who also are following in their mothers' steps and working for the chain, although Hooters hasn't studied the phenomenon.
Hooters Inc., of Clearwater, incorporated in 1983, meaning the chain is 33 years old this year — plenty of time for a second generation to rise through its ranks. Known for its chicken wings, there are more than 450 stores worldwide representing the brand, with the waitresses the main attraction.
While Jill Shapiro cut her Hooters days short by joining the Army, her daughter is enjoying all the perks.
The oldest of seven children, Amanda joined the Cape Coral Hooters about two years ago and has used her job to take her places far beyond Southwest Florida. She's traveled to the Bahamas for the calendar photo shoot, and the Grand Canyon, Vail, Colorado, and Las Vegas as a photo assistant. She travels the region signing calendars and helps with the company's charity work.
"It's taught her how big the world is," Jill Shapiro said.
After appearing in the calendar, Amanda Shapiro has been featured on coffee mugs, shot glasses, can coozies and bottle openers, her mother said.
While dad, Michael, is protective, he has a calendar in his office, which Jill said shows just how proud he is of his eldest child.
Jill and Michael Shapiro will be in the audience as Amanda competes in this year's pageant. Amanda said she's far more confident this year than last as she prepares the interview, personality and swimsuit stages of the competition.
"I hope to come back with a place or a crown," Shapiro said.
