Mystery dining allows individuals to have some or all of their restaurant bills paid back, and in some cases, earn an additional fee. This involves visiting a hospitality business anonymously as an ordinary customer while observing specific aspects of the experience.
Diners may be asked to note details such as greeting speed, staff procedures, food arrival times, cleanliness, server knowledge, and food quality. A report detailing these observations is then submitted.
Mystery dining assignments typically fall into three categories: meal reimbursement, reimbursement plus a fee, or a fixed fee. Companies like HGEM Mystery Dining, iShopFor Ipsos, Tern, Market Force, Proinsight, and Mystery Shoppers Ltd are recruiting in the UK. Many of these companies, including Ipsos, Tern, Market Force, and Mystery Shoppers Ltd, offer free registration.