When you head out to dine, the idea is to enjoy a good meal and great service, right? However, the truth is that some restaurants - and servers - have a few tricks up their sleeves to get you to spend more money. This is why it's easy to leave many such places with a full stomach and an empty wallet, none the wiser.
Whether it's the staff's genuine enthusiasm for the "special of the day"
or the cleverly designed menu that guides your choices, these tactics
are often subtle, yet effective. While most restaurants aim to provide a
great experience, some aren’t above using these sneaky schemes to boost
their bottom line. Below, we'll dive into the underhanded ways some
restaurants might just be tricking you into spending more money.
1. Using price decoys 
Most restaurants want you to order the
dishes that make them the most money, not the most expensive ones. To do
this, they often put a very high-priced item next to a slightly cheaper
item on the menu. This makes the cheaper item look like a better deal.
This is called "decoy pricing." The expensive item is like a "decoy" to
make you choose the cheaper one.
2. Using boxes and borders to highlight “special” items
Restaurants often use boxes, lines, or
empty spaces to highlight certain menu items. These items are usually
what they want you to order. Don't let the fancy design trick you. You
might find better choices elsewhere on the menu.
3. Giving customers a drink menu early on
Restaurants often give you a drink menu as
soon as you sit down. There are reasons for this. One reason is that
you're more likely to order dessert after drinking alcohol. Another
reason is that alcohol can make you hungrier. Studies show people eat
more when they drink alcohol. This is because alcohol affects the part
of your brain that controls how hungry you feel.
4. Servers offering dessert "another glass of wine"
When your server asks if you want dessert
"or just another glass of wine", it might seem like they're just being
friendly. But the truth is, desserts aren't super profitable for
restaurants, and people are only willing to pay so much for them. By
throwing in the wine option, the server gives you an easy out if you
don't want dessert. Plus, wine is actually a better deal for the
restaurant - it's a lower commitment for you, but more money for them.
Industry insiders say that cocktails can rake in double the money of a
dessert, all without holding up the table at the end of the meal.
5. Table talkers
You know those little stands and flip-cards
that sit on your table at a restaurant or bar? They're like a second
menu, designed to catch your eye and tempt you while you're waiting for
your server or food to arrive. They work similarly to those impulse buys
you see at the supermarket checkout - trying to grab your attention
when you're not really thinking about it. Restaurants use them to sell
things you might not order, like expensive drinks or rich desserts. It's
easy to say no to a waiter, but ignoring a tempting picture on a menu
is harder.
6. Offering fewer choices
Too many choices on a menu can be confusing
for customers, so they often pick something familiar and cheap. Some
restaurants have found that offering fewer items, especially their most
expensive ones, can actually increase sales. Menus with sections like
"steaks," "drinks," "salads," and "seafood" usually have about seven
items in each group. Restaurants think too many choices might confuse
people.
7. When servers suggest a "personal favorite"
Sometimes, servers will act like they
really love a dish to convince you to order it. Even if they haven't
tried everything, they might say their favorite dish is among the
pricier ones. It's a way to make you want to try it. So think twice
before considering a server's "personal favorite" dish in a new
restaurant.
8. Bundling up menu items
Restaurants often combine items to make
them seem like a better deal. This happens everywhere, from fast food to
fancy places. For example, they offer meal deals or suggest pairing
certain dishes with drinks. It's a way to get you to spend more without
realizing it. The best way to avoid this is to know exactly what you
want before you order.
9. Automatic gratuity
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Some restaurants automatically add a
gratuity to the bill, which is meant to help out their servers, who rely
on tips for income. However, if it's not clearly marked on the check,
you might accidentally end up tipping twice. This can happen if there's a
blank line for an additional tip, making you think you need to add
more. Remember, any extra cash you add goes directly to the server, but
it's still coming out of your pocket.
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