Can someone explain "menu audits" to me

I've noticed a couple of companies offer what they call "menu audits." From what I can tell (without actually being able to see the guidelines) is that you photograph a menu at a restaurant. It does not appear they reimburse for a meal. So the meal is on you? Or you change your mind about eating there and leave? Or what?

Some I noted do not have table service but with others this could be pretty uncomfortable unless I'm missing something.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/2013 05:41PM by whiterosie.

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No meal is required or involved. You are just taking pictures of the menu. Depending on the MSC, they usually tell you what to say like "I am waiting for a friend" or whatever. Most are not sit down meals. The only piece of advice I would give you is to use an app called Silent Camera if you have a smartphone, otherwise you will stand out.
So are they talking about a fast food type place with a big lighted menu board behind the counter?
I've done menu audits where I take pictures of drive thru menu boards. I've gotten some strange looks from customers, but have never been questioned or stopped.
Some of these have been for sit-down coffee shops who have pages and pages of menus. Let's see. How do I put it? It rhymes with a small grey bird of which you probably have many in your yard no matter where you live.

Others have been for similar restaurants, like the chocolate one owned by the same parent company as the one above.

I just can't see myself going in there and photographing a menu and then walking out. I supose if I were going to eat there anyway maybe it'd make up for part of my meal.
They can be uncomfortable................walking into a mostly fast food venue, taking photos and then leaving while the staff observes the whole process. Not for me.
These are tricky. Try to go when there are people up at the counter, stand in line and start snapping.

If asked what you're doing, tell them you have to email the photos to a co-worker because she wants you to get her something but doesn't know what's available.

You'll feel stupid but speak with confidence and shrug like your colleague's an idiot and 99% of employees will let you go ahead.

I then walk away from the counter to "text my colleague for her choice" - what I'm really doing is checking the quality of the photos and sometimes I'm uploading them from my phone.

I watch the counter out of the corner of my eye and when the employee is busy with another customer I slip out the door.

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Silver Certified in the Great White North
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I did one once, and only because I was shopping the store right across the street. I waited until there was a break in the drive through line and then snapped shots of the drive through menu. Went inside, and took pictures of the bakery cases which had prices as well.

They are relatively easy and no one questioned me, although I was careful to take the pictures when the staff were looking the other way.

The only problem is, if one of your photos is unclear, you will be asked to return to the location. So check before leaving that your pictures all clear.

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Always take the high road.
The ones I have done involved taking photos of the drive thru menu board, and this particular MSC states to NOT take photos of the interior menu. You also have to jot down some prices and purchase something for $1, which is easy enough. I take a pair of binoculars and write down the menu prices from the drive thru, but if I have a hard time seeing them all and miss a few, I will go inside and sit at a table to eat my dollar sandwich where I can view the menu and jot the rest of the prices down. No one ever looks at me twice. It's best to do these locations in between the lunch period and the dinner period, but before school gets out (2-2:30 PM works great usually), so you can get close to the drive thru speaker and take your photos without a line of cars being present. I generally wait until the shops are bonused unless I have something else to do near the particular restaurant they want me to visit.
Lovingly I say to y'all, "Man Up."

The general public does all sorts of strange and bizarre things everyday in all retail establishments.

You won't stand out by taking a photo with a phone.

Get a camera phone with 8 or more MegaPixels and just walk in a wait for your moment.

Usally I'm offered assistance. I tell them I'm not quite ready. I am still checking on requests from my co-workers, wife, friend or whoever I feel like saying.

They will find something to do as you stare down at your phone in camera mode. When they turn, then left and snap, snap, snap.

If seated, I stand up the menu, lift up my camera phone and snap a photo. Then I turn the page and repeat.

Unrevealed audits don't usually require input from the associates. Associates love to disregard the customer.

They won't know or won't care that you are taking pictures.

I take pictures of everything I eat when dining out.

I have my own unofficial foodie blog on Facebook.

People take pictures of everything nowadays.
royalnbn Wrote:
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> Get a camera phone with 8 or more MegaPixels and
> just walk in a wait for your moment.

Not everyone can afford to go out and get a new camera phone with 8 megapixels. Some people have to use a camera. I personally am not qualified for an upgrade on my cell phone until May. I do, however, have a nice Nikon camera that I use.
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