Feds Probe Mass. Coffee Shop's Hiring Practices

A Boston-area coffee shop chain known for its attractive young female servers is under investigation by federal authorities for possible employment discrimination.

Executives for the 29-store Marylou's chain call the probe by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission a "witch hunt," and that the workers the chain hires are based on the applicant pool, most of whom tend to be younger women.

The Boston Herald reports that the EEOC has been reviewing Marylou's job applications, interviewing company officials and questioning the chain's workers, who are often seen wearing pink T-shirts and black shorts singing and dancing in television commercials.

Founder Marylou Sandry said in a letter to a state senator seeking assistance that the company has never been sued for any kind of discrimination.

EEOC officials declined comment.