Presh Talwalker reports:
After a late night out, I found myself at the only eatery still open in the suburbs, the late night haven that is Denny’s. When paying for the meal, I noticed a curious offer on the receipt that read something like:
If your receipt does not list a food or drink you ordered, let us know and you will get the item free plus a $5 gift certificate.
Which, as Presh deduced, is a counter-bribe from Denny’s management so you will rat out your server if he or she bribes you with free food in return for a tip.
Cheap Talk 
3 comments
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March 15, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Jason W.
…or the server may not be ringing up an item and pocketing the difference instead of putting it in the till.
March 15, 2010 at 9:46 pm
michael webster
Probably best to read further in the thread.
Asad said:
“I don’t see how the message on the receipt stops waiters from giving free drinks. If a person orders one coke, but the waiter gives her three cokes, will the person report the waiter? I don’t think so. In this situation, wouldn’t the receipt only list the one coke ordered?”
Michael said:
“I agree with Asad.
It is more likely that the Denny’s franchisee is doing this to assure the Denny’s franchisor that they are not under reporting gross sales.
The franchisee pays royalties on gross sales, so the principal agent problem would suggest that it is in the interest of the franchisee to under report.
The franchisee can assure the franchisor that it is not under reporting by following such a policy – in some states it would not be legal to fine the employees who made the mistake.”
Presh said:
“Thanks for the clarification Michael. Come to think of it, I know Walgreens and Dunkin Donuts have a similar receipt policy so the franchise explanation seems plausible. Next time I am at Denny’s I will ask a manager and confirm.”
It is an interesting attempt by the franchisee to signal to the franchisor that they are not under reporting.
March 15, 2010 at 10:59 pm
Tyrone
Hi,
I can say it’s still not wrong to report a waiter for serving more than what has been punched in the order – but yes, I agree that it would still depend on what the receipt is containing. If the excess isn’t included then it’s none of the customer’s business but it’s between the employee and the manager to talk about this situation.