How to get a job as a mystery diner

May 10, 2024

By Kim Komando

Any restaurant worth its salt wants to know what it’s doing right and what it’s screwing up. And they’re willing to pay you for that info. But they can’t just judge servers and kitchen staff when they’re on their best behavior. They need someone undercover.

Enter mystery dining. Restaurants get genuine feedback and you get to eat out for free. I found out how to have your cake and eat review it.

How it works

Yes, you really get your food free of charge, including tips and travel expenses, usually in the form of a voucher or gift card.

It is a job, though. You’ll have to give a ton of feedback about your restaurant visit. How was the food? How was the service? What could’ve been better? You’ll need to have an eye for detail and a good memory. You’ll also need to take some photos as part of the trip.

Oh, and you won’t need to worry about an awkward confrontation at the table. You’ll submit all your intel afterward to the company you’re working for. 

Most of them have online portals, too. Once in their system, log into your account, check available assignments, choose one to complete and upload your results. 

Who are these “mystery” companies?

Mystery dining agencies act as a middleman between you and larger restaurants that pay them for intel. Here are a few of the most reputable:

• Second to None has been in the biz for 30 years and can get you gigs in high-end and fast-food dining. Pretty sure getting paid to critique an In-N-Out burger is Barry’s dream job. They also work in retail if shopping’s more your speed.
• Eye Spy CC focuses on dining and has excellent reviews from reviewers who, uh, review for them. Shoppers report getting large enough budgets to go to high-end restaurants and really enjoy themselves. Nice!
• Market Force is another heavy-hitter in dining and retail. Diners say vouchers usually start small, but once you’ve worked with a company for a while, you can get larger assignments and additional pay. 

FYI: This is a “secret” from restaurants but not from the IRS. If you make over $600 with any org, you must file a 1099 like a regular independent contractor.

How to apply

Head to the Second to None, Eye Spy CC or Market Force websites to sign up. It’s free to apply and you’ll just need to share a few details like your name, birthday and location.

A company might ask you to do a small practice mystery shop or sample assessment to make sure you’re cut out for the job. Then, you’re off to the races.

🚨 Watch out: The companies I shared are legit, but “secret shopping” scams are super common. Test assignments are normal, but a real company will never ask you to pay them to secure an opportunity.

Have a friend who needs a side hustle? Share this with them! Then join for free dinner as their plus-one. 😂