Ep 5. Unhappy Holidays

During the holiday season, restaurants and food establishments struggle to keep up with the influx of customers. In this episode of Mystery Diners, titled "Unhappy Holidays," the team is called to a restaurant that is experiencing a decrease in sales during this time. The owner suspects that one of his employees is stealing, but he can't pinpoint who it is.

To get to the bottom of this, the Mystery Diners team sets up hidden cameras and sends in undercover diners to pose as customers. As they enter the restaurant, they notice that the holiday decorations are lacking and the service is slow. The waitstaff seems disinterested and the food is taking a long time to come out.

Soon enough, the team discovers that the bartender is not only giving away free drinks to his friends but also overcharging customers. He has created his own "happy hour" system and is pocketing the extra money. Additionally, one of the servers is clocking in for shifts that she isn't working and is stealing from the cash register.

As the Mystery Diners team confronts the wrongdoers, they show the footage to the owner and explain everything that has been happening behind his back. The owner is shocked but grateful to have finally found out what was going on. He immediately fires the bartender and server and thanks the Mystery Diners team for their help.

The team then helps the owner come up with a plan to regain the trust of his customers and bring in more business during the holidays. They suggest creating a holiday-themed menu and offering discounts to customers who come in wearing festive attire. They also recommend decorating the restaurant with holiday decorations and hiring additional staff to ensure that service is efficient.

In the end, the owner takes the suggestions and puts them into action. The restaurant is packed with customers enjoying the holiday spirit and the new menu. The owner is happy to see more sales and thanks the Mystery Diners team for their help in turning his restaurant around.

Overall, this episode of Mystery Diners highlights the importance of maintaining trust with customers and ensuring that employees are honest and reliable. It shows how a small change in behavior can cause a ripple effect throughout an establishment, and how taking the time to investigate and make changes can ultimately lead to success.