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A Story About A Waitress Who Sued Hooters For Giving Her A Toy Yoda Instead Of Toyota Is Going Viral Again
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A Story About A Waitress Who Sued Hooters For Giving Her A Toy Yoda Instead Of Toyota Is Going Viral Again

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Not all of us have enough guts to brave the waters of various contests for a chance to win a pretty prize. Some, however, always look for an opportunity to snatch something that they really want, especially if the opportunity to win depends only on your work and a little bit of luck. Jodee Berry, a former Hooters waitress, thought she was in for a deal of a lifetime when she was promised a brand new Toyota if she won a beer sales contest at the restaurant.

Jodee Berry expected a brand new Toyota after winning a contest, but was presented with a toy Yoda instead

In 2001, unsurprisingly, the woman knocked it out of the park with the sales and ended up winning the contest by selling the most beer in a month. However, when she was blindfolded and led into the parking lot outside of the restaurant, Berry was in for a surprise. Instead of a long-awaited car she got a small package with a toy Yoda inside.

Image credits: Mike Mozart (not the actual photo)

Image credits: Kate Haskell (not the actual photo)

The woman was, understandably, furious and not only ended up quitting the restaurant but also suing them. Even if the manager at Hooters claimed it was only an April Fools’ joke, a year later Berry and Gulf Coast Wings, Inc., the corporate owner of the restaurant, ended up with a settlement at court.

Image credits: Mike Mozart (not the actual photo)

Berry cited breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation and walked out with an undisclosed sum of money in her pockets. David Noll, her attorney, was quoted on saying that the amount of money the woman received would allow Jodee to “pick out whatever type of Toyota she wants.”

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Here’s how people reacted to the whole case

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Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

Author, Community member

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As a writer and image editor for Bored Panda, Giedrė crafts posts on many different topics to push them to their potential. She's also glad that her Bachelor’s degree in English Philology didn’t go to waste (although collecting dust in the attic could also be considered an achievement of aesthetic value!) Giedrė is an avid fan of cats, photography, and mysteries, and a keen observer of the Internet culture which is what she is most excited to write about. Since she's embarked on her journalistic endeavor, Giedrė has over 600 articles under her belt and hopes for twice as much (fingers crossed - half of them are about cats).

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Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

Giedrė Vaičiulaitytė

Author, Community member

As a writer and image editor for Bored Panda, Giedrė crafts posts on many different topics to push them to their potential. She's also glad that her Bachelor’s degree in English Philology didn’t go to waste (although collecting dust in the attic could also be considered an achievement of aesthetic value!) Giedrė is an avid fan of cats, photography, and mysteries, and a keen observer of the Internet culture which is what she is most excited to write about. Since she's embarked on her journalistic endeavor, Giedrė has over 600 articles under her belt and hopes for twice as much (fingers crossed - half of them are about cats).

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Panda Kicki
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was a cruel prank on a low wage worker, glad she got something in return!

Janine B.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad she got something in return for her hard work. I would have been furious too.

Load More Replies...
Id row
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember reading about this when it first happened so long ago. Why is it being resurrected now?

Jack Chandra
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is an 18 year old story that I've seen elsewhere dozens of times.

Human #1,232,867
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe this is a warning that you are spending too much time on the internet.

Load More Replies...
Eduard Korhonen
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It makes me laugh that some people believe that Star Wars merch is actually worth anything. Sure, original 70/80s stuff is expensive, but s**t like this is barely worth the original rrp, often significantly less.

Jon S.
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely. Most 20 year old star wars collectables are worth less now than when they were purchased.

Load More Replies...
Dorothy Parker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not surprising for a company that views women as a commodity to sell cheap.

Paw Paw
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the "contest" said Toyota, and not toy Yoda, then she had every right to be furious. I'd have done the same thing.

Ryo Bakura
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always thought the story itself was the April Fool's Day joke.

FurryManiac
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“ the little green guy from Star Wars” guys I’m cracking up right now

HiFi Gator
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just today a friend as trekking me that she wanted to buy a Baby Yoda because it was so cute, and I remembered this and googled it to show her. That's why it was resurrected to me, But in any case, I've never understood why anyone at Hooters thought this was a good idea ... more importantly, I don't understand why not a single person at management level didn't see it as a really bad idea. I don't have a dog in the fight at all, but that struck me as incredibly poor decision making.

Patrick O'Brien
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks pissed, that's for sure. But good on her for standing up herself. And I wonder if she kept the Toy Yoda? Maybe she's negotiating a price with someone right, while she drives to meet them in her new Toyota.

The Paul
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing comical about what the Hooters management did, but the story still has a pretty funny ending.

Clayton Johnson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The commenter saying it would be worth more then the car now.... It's not officially licensed and it was MASSIVELY over produced. You can still buy one for about $40. It's gone up like $10 in value.

Mike Fougere
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Settlebdown people, they're selling for about $40 on eBay right now.

Becky Boat
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, I feel stupid saying this because I am a woman-- but at the Hooters here in Arizona you have to have Hooters to work at Hooters. The waitresses look like models at our Hooters. Anyway the Manager that set up the contest would have to be a total tool to do that to that.

Martin Pim
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She wanted transport and found the prospect if driving a toy yoda challenging and too slow to get her to work on time.

carl alley
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she really wasn't hooter's material anyhow.....sorry , but that's the first thing I noticed.................

Chris Gauthier
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just like the boy that was supposed to win a jet in a Pepsi give away. They stiffed him they didn’t even pay him for all the Pepsi he purchased 😡

Clayton Johnson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would be worth more than the car? Stupid comment. It's not even officially licensed. You can pick one up for about $40.....

Sandy Too
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have Toyota which ironically the creators name is Toyoda - apparently Toyota is luckier because it is written in 8 strokes which is lucky in that part of the world ... either way Toyota or Toyoda still equals a car you can drive.

Colleen Coughlin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a nasty prank to play. You never know someone's financial situation fully, that could have been absolutely life changing for her. I'm glad she stuck through and took them to court...not an easy task by any means

Nicole Wong
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Steve Cruz
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHINERS: complaining about free content is like stepping in dog poop instead of going around it.

Cindy Snow
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember this. Typucal...but what do you expect from a business that m a Dr it's money degrading women?à

Terrakian Dragon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happened back in 2001, so the unbelievable adorableness of Baby Yoda hadn't been introduced to a needy world, yet. :-)

Load More Replies...
Otis Spunkmeyer
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The headline "A story about a waitress who sued Hooters for giving her a toy Yoda instead of a Toyota is going viral again" No it's not, Bored Panda. You're just really bored (and clicks = revenue).

Clayton Catlin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See? This is why I don’t date anymore. Women are always trying to throw a tantrum over the most absurd things... 🙄

Blacksheep
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They should have given her a toy Toyota. That way she couldn't have said anything, greedy b***h. I hope they at least took back their toy as it costs way more money than this b***h deserves.

Terrakian Dragon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She was working a s**t min-wage job for a s**t company to make ends meet, probably while still going to college & this "contest" comes up to win what she was told would be a f*****g car. A BIG opportunity for anyone on a low income still going to school (as I'm guessing from the apparent age of the woman in the photo), as making car payments each month isn't cheap. either, & so she works her f****n A*S off to get the prize. Hooters isn't a small restaurant--in any individual location, they have probably what, twelve or so wait-staff for all shifts? She'd be in competition with all of them to win, so she'd have to REALLY hustle to make the most beer sales. The chain could afford to pay the prize she was being cheated out of. And you say she didn't deserve it. You're an a*****e who doesn't understand the kind of hard work she had to put in to make even that small dream happen and then what a crush it must have been to have it yanked away by a******s just like you.

Load More Replies...
Shireen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG her face is priceless! I've seen this prank so many times and it never gets old! 🤣

Terrakian Dragon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not a prank when the person who puts in extra hard work and sweat to win the "contest" is being massively insulted by having all that effort trown back in their face. "Ha ha, loser!" How the f**k would YOU feel if you had a s****y min-wage job trying to make rent, go to college (or whatever this woman was trying to do to make her life better) and had the hope of a decent mode of transportation maybe becoming a reality suddenly being yanked away even though you "won" that prize? I'd be breathing fire, I'd be that furious and humiliated...

Load More Replies...
Kjorn
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

what do you expect from a hooters girl? people sue for everything now. the price on the tag say it's 9,99$ why i pay taxes? the prices says 9,99$ i'll sue you!!

Seabeast
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

The irony is, the toy is probably worth more now than a 2001 Toyota would be. But of course, who would want to wait 18 years to find out?

Chris Watson
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I thought you needed boobs to work at hooters?

Justin Rodriguez
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

In addition to her toy yoda situation, she should have called the cops.. because it totally looks like Someone stole her titties..

Rocky Balla
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Looking at the picture there is no way she should have qualified to work there...

Jim Ellington
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I thought Hooters waitresses were supposed to be good-looking, or at least have ample breasts. She has neither.

Panda Kicki
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was a cruel prank on a low wage worker, glad she got something in return!

Janine B.
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad she got something in return for her hard work. I would have been furious too.

Load More Replies...
Id row
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember reading about this when it first happened so long ago. Why is it being resurrected now?

Jack Chandra
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is an 18 year old story that I've seen elsewhere dozens of times.

Human #1,232,867
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe this is a warning that you are spending too much time on the internet.

Load More Replies...
Eduard Korhonen
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It makes me laugh that some people believe that Star Wars merch is actually worth anything. Sure, original 70/80s stuff is expensive, but s**t like this is barely worth the original rrp, often significantly less.

Jon S.
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Absolutely. Most 20 year old star wars collectables are worth less now than when they were purchased.

Load More Replies...
Dorothy Parker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not surprising for a company that views women as a commodity to sell cheap.

Paw Paw
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If the "contest" said Toyota, and not toy Yoda, then she had every right to be furious. I'd have done the same thing.

Ryo Bakura
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always thought the story itself was the April Fool's Day joke.

FurryManiac
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“ the little green guy from Star Wars” guys I’m cracking up right now

HiFi Gator
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just today a friend as trekking me that she wanted to buy a Baby Yoda because it was so cute, and I remembered this and googled it to show her. That's why it was resurrected to me, But in any case, I've never understood why anyone at Hooters thought this was a good idea ... more importantly, I don't understand why not a single person at management level didn't see it as a really bad idea. I don't have a dog in the fight at all, but that struck me as incredibly poor decision making.

Patrick O'Brien
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks pissed, that's for sure. But good on her for standing up herself. And I wonder if she kept the Toy Yoda? Maybe she's negotiating a price with someone right, while she drives to meet them in her new Toyota.

The Paul
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing comical about what the Hooters management did, but the story still has a pretty funny ending.

Clayton Johnson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The commenter saying it would be worth more then the car now.... It's not officially licensed and it was MASSIVELY over produced. You can still buy one for about $40. It's gone up like $10 in value.

Mike Fougere
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Settlebdown people, they're selling for about $40 on eBay right now.

Becky Boat
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, I feel stupid saying this because I am a woman-- but at the Hooters here in Arizona you have to have Hooters to work at Hooters. The waitresses look like models at our Hooters. Anyway the Manager that set up the contest would have to be a total tool to do that to that.

Martin Pim
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She wanted transport and found the prospect if driving a toy yoda challenging and too slow to get her to work on time.

carl alley
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she really wasn't hooter's material anyhow.....sorry , but that's the first thing I noticed.................

Chris Gauthier
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just like the boy that was supposed to win a jet in a Pepsi give away. They stiffed him they didn’t even pay him for all the Pepsi he purchased 😡

Clayton Johnson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It would be worth more than the car? Stupid comment. It's not even officially licensed. You can pick one up for about $40.....

Sandy Too
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have Toyota which ironically the creators name is Toyoda - apparently Toyota is luckier because it is written in 8 strokes which is lucky in that part of the world ... either way Toyota or Toyoda still equals a car you can drive.

Colleen Coughlin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What a nasty prank to play. You never know someone's financial situation fully, that could have been absolutely life changing for her. I'm glad she stuck through and took them to court...not an easy task by any means

Nicole Wong
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Steve Cruz
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHINERS: complaining about free content is like stepping in dog poop instead of going around it.

Cindy Snow
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember this. Typucal...but what do you expect from a business that m a Dr it's money degrading women?à

Terrakian Dragon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This happened back in 2001, so the unbelievable adorableness of Baby Yoda hadn't been introduced to a needy world, yet. :-)

Load More Replies...
Otis Spunkmeyer
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The headline "A story about a waitress who sued Hooters for giving her a toy Yoda instead of a Toyota is going viral again" No it's not, Bored Panda. You're just really bored (and clicks = revenue).

Clayton Catlin
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

See? This is why I don’t date anymore. Women are always trying to throw a tantrum over the most absurd things... 🙄

Blacksheep
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They should have given her a toy Toyota. That way she couldn't have said anything, greedy b***h. I hope they at least took back their toy as it costs way more money than this b***h deserves.

Terrakian Dragon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She was working a s**t min-wage job for a s**t company to make ends meet, probably while still going to college & this "contest" comes up to win what she was told would be a f*****g car. A BIG opportunity for anyone on a low income still going to school (as I'm guessing from the apparent age of the woman in the photo), as making car payments each month isn't cheap. either, & so she works her f****n A*S off to get the prize. Hooters isn't a small restaurant--in any individual location, they have probably what, twelve or so wait-staff for all shifts? She'd be in competition with all of them to win, so she'd have to REALLY hustle to make the most beer sales. The chain could afford to pay the prize she was being cheated out of. And you say she didn't deserve it. You're an a*****e who doesn't understand the kind of hard work she had to put in to make even that small dream happen and then what a crush it must have been to have it yanked away by a******s just like you.

Load More Replies...
Shireen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG her face is priceless! I've seen this prank so many times and it never gets old! 🤣

Terrakian Dragon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not a prank when the person who puts in extra hard work and sweat to win the "contest" is being massively insulted by having all that effort trown back in their face. "Ha ha, loser!" How the f**k would YOU feel if you had a s****y min-wage job trying to make rent, go to college (or whatever this woman was trying to do to make her life better) and had the hope of a decent mode of transportation maybe becoming a reality suddenly being yanked away even though you "won" that prize? I'd be breathing fire, I'd be that furious and humiliated...

Load More Replies...
Kjorn
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

what do you expect from a hooters girl? people sue for everything now. the price on the tag say it's 9,99$ why i pay taxes? the prices says 9,99$ i'll sue you!!

Seabeast
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

The irony is, the toy is probably worth more now than a 2001 Toyota would be. But of course, who would want to wait 18 years to find out?

Chris Watson
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I thought you needed boobs to work at hooters?

Justin Rodriguez
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

In addition to her toy yoda situation, she should have called the cops.. because it totally looks like Someone stole her titties..

Rocky Balla
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Looking at the picture there is no way she should have qualified to work there...

Jim Ellington
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I thought Hooters waitresses were supposed to be good-looking, or at least have ample breasts. She has neither.

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