I had a shop returned to me. The shop paid 3 figures so I'm awake when I should be sleeping so I can work at my "real job" between 9PM and 7AM overnight.

Anyway, I made a quick look at the other e-mails I received and got one about a new round of Panda Express shops. The instructions say,

"Order a BOWL or PLATE only. No extras or drinks. Coupons or discounts should not be used. See your shopper guidelines for full details.
COMMENTS: DINE-INVisit the assigned Panda Express location, order a bowl or plate and dine in. Evaluate your experience on service, quality, cleanliness and restroom.".

Which would be fine for a drive-through I guess. This is a dine-in shop. You're supposed to sit there and eat the food without having anything to drink or order a drink after you complete your transaction? Or bring a drink with you?

I guess the idea is to make the shop more appealing if the shopper doesn't have to order a drink....but wow...seems screwy to me to expect someone to eat a meal without a beverage.

I've done tons of PE shops. I don't by a soda or anything. I just get a cup for water. It's no big deal. If you want the soda...do it separately if you are worried about it. I understand the NO coupon thing.

I have done several PE shops and I have always get water.

Even on the ticket it may say something like this

Panda bowl $ 7.99 (For example)

Water 0.00


Tax .50 s

Total== $ 8.49

My shops has always been accepted with no questions ask.. And I have been paid



So my question will be, when I pay and the cashier ask me if I want to drink and I say water and they put it on the ticket. Even though they don't charge for water but it still shows as zero will I still be paid?

I can always sit down at the table, get the require pictures and then go back a couple of minutes later and get me a cup of water ..

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/24/2023 08:12PM by Isaiah4031a.

I agree, it's weird for many to dine in but not get a drink, especially food that's generally pretty high in sodium. I think having requirements like this makes it easier to identify the shoppers.

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

I've done tons of PE shops. I don't by a soda or anything. I just get a cup for water. It's no big deal. If you want the soda...do it separately if you are worried about it. I understand the NO coupon thing.

The last one I did I got a 9 on, and was reprimanded for ordering a drink. It was a dine in shop.

@luckygirl0100 wrote:

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

The last one I did I got a 9 on, and was reprimanded for ordering a drink. It was a dine in shop.

So I guess the drink was on the same ticket?

Yes, the requirements are stupid. So what. Follow the requirements. Bring your own drink/get a water cup/or purchase separate transaction. It's not that complicated. I get that the client or the MSC is lost with these dumb rules, but there's usually a way around these things.

I agree

@Isaiah4031a wrote:

@luckygirl0100 wrote:

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

The last one I did I got a 9 on, and was reprimanded for ordering a drink. It was a dine in shop.

So I guess the drink was on the same ticket?

Yes, this was in March and I did two of them in March. Didn't see this update when I did the first one and silly me didn't check for updates mid month. My bad....

Last time I did an PE shop was in Jan of 2023 and it was for Dine In..

I got water to drink and even though it was free and it was put on the ticket and my report was accepted.

Now since we are not allowed to get a drink, I will take the require pics and a couple of minutes later go up and ask for a cup of water

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/2023 12:27AM by Isaiah4031a.

Qdoba shops are the same way. Burrito bowl or wrap, chips and no drink. I agree its odd. I get water anyway.

It also does not make sense because the PE online order shops have a directive regarding the approved labels that must be on the bags and drinks, showing a photograph of same in the guidelines. Why tell about an approved drink label and include a photograph when you are not to order a drink?

Side note: Did anyone notice the PE drive-thru type just went down in payment by .50 cents?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/2023 03:53AM by purpleicee.

Up until this year, and I really think that the rules only changed after March 1st. We were always allowed to get a bowl or a plate and whatever else we wanted with our meal all on the same ticket and we would only be in reimbursed for the bowl or the plate. That goes for the previous mystery shopping company and for the current one. But there was a special promotion at Panda on March 1st through the 14th. You could get a plate an appetizer and a drink for 14 bucks, the special promotion also included a $5 gift card to be used on a future purchase.

The plate which you are allowed to order, is not completely covered by the reimbursement. Never has been. So I don't see any reason why it would be against the rules for us to buy this plate bundle, which is what they called it, for the 14 bucks and get our $10 reimbursement. And I am not going to use the $5 gift cards on Mystery Shop purchases, so I don't see how I broke any rules.

@purpleicee wrote:

It also does not make sense because the PE online order shops have a directive regarding the approved labels that must be on the bags and drinks, showing a photograph of same in the guidelines. Why tell about an approved drink label and include a photograph when you are not to order a drink?

Side note: Did anyone notice the PE drive-thru type just went down in payment by .50 cents?

Yeah, I noticed that too.

Just as an aside, I have noticed that at one PE location, they have their employment advertisement (aka help wanted) signs all over the place inside the store. But the one I saw in far west Texas took the cake; they had their hiring message airbrushed on the exterior glass of the store--just like their hours of operation.
It sort of gives you a glimpse (in my opinion anyway) as to how the company is managed and possibly why they have such trouble retaining a staff .

@metro25782 wrote:

@purpleicee wrote:

It also does not make sense because the PE online order shops have a directive regarding the approved labels that must be on the bags and drinks, showing a photograph of same in the guidelines. Why tell about an approved drink label and include a photograph when you are not to order a drink?

Side note: Did anyone notice the PE drive-thru type just went down in payment by .50 cents?

Yeah, I noticed that too.

Just as an aside, I have noticed that at one PE location, they have their employment advertisement (aka help wanted) signs all over the place inside the store. But the one I saw in far west Texas took the cake; they had their hiring message airbrushed on the exterior glass of the store--just like their hours of operation.
It sort of gives you a glimpse (in my opinion anyway) as to how the company is managed and possibly why they have such trouble retaining a staff .

I was in a 'moms' group many years ago and met a woman whose husband was a district or maybe regional manager (can't remember its been about 10 years) for PE. He made DAMN good money! They pay upper mgt. very well. We always thought it was ironic because he was actually from China (his parents still lived there and they would go back to visit) but PE is DEFINITELY not authentic Chinese food.

.... and no, there is no conflict of interest... my friend & her husband divorced and she moved a few hours away to be closer to family & we didn't stay in contact.

@Morledzep wrote:

Up until this year, and I really think that the rules only changed after March 1st. We were always allowed to get a bowl or a plate and whatever else we wanted with our meal all on the same ticket and we would only be in reimbursed for the bowl or the plate. That goes for the previous mystery shopping company and for the current one. But there was a special promotion at Panda on March 1st through the 14th. You could get a plate an appetizer and a drink for 14 bucks, the special promotion also included a $5 gift card to be used on a future purchase.

The plate which you are allowed to order, is not completely covered by the reimbursement. Never has been. So I don't see any reason why it would be against the rules for us to buy this plate bundle, which is what they called it, for the 14 bucks and get our $10 reimbursement. And I am not going to use the $5 gift cards on Mystery Shop purchases, so I don't see how I broke any rules.

Several months ago I got the Panda Bowl.. After taxes it was like $ 8.20 . This was when we were the approve expense was $ 8.00 . I was .20 cents over no big deal.

Now since we are allow $ 10 I can get the plate (If I wanted to) and I will be like .60 cents over (or something like that). But the bowl always fills me up


I also noticed that the D/T has gone down .50..

ETA: I have only done either Dine In or Drive Through PE shops

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/25/2023 01:04PM by Isaiah4031a.

I rarely order a drink when I'm doing my own thing. I don't like pop, or the coffee they have in Fast food restaurants. I eat my meal and drink my own water once I leave.

When I am at PE I order the requirements. Meanwhile husband is photoing the hours printed on the door. He then joins the line, studiously ignoring me, and orders everything else. Now that you tipped me off I'll let him request the cup for my water. As i tell the workers--I'm very particular about what I drink and I like plain water.

@joanna81 Exactly right. The % of people that dine in and don't order a drink has to be very low. Why not just go in to PE wearing a shirt in large letters reading Hi I am the Mystery Shopper.

What is the point of not being able to buy a drink? PE's cost is less than 20¢ on a small fountain drink. This just goes to to the MSC needing to raise the reimbursement.

This week I've noticed signs at fast food and casual places reading no outside food or drink. I can't imagine PE is okay with you bringing in your own beverage.

@luckygirl0100 wrote:

@metro25782 wrote:

@purpleicee wrote:

It also does not make sense because the PE online order shops have a directive regarding the approved labels that must be on the bags and drinks, showing a photograph of same in the guidelines. Why tell about an approved drink label and include a photograph when you are not to order a drink?

Side note: Did anyone notice the PE drive-thru type just went down in payment by .50 cents?

Yeah, I noticed that too.

Just as an aside, I have noticed that at one PE location, they have their employment advertisement (aka help wanted) signs all over the place inside the store. But the one I saw in far west Texas took the cake; they had their hiring message airbrushed on the exterior glass of the store--just like their hours of operation.
It sort of gives you a glimpse (in my opinion anyway) as to how the company is managed and possibly why they have such trouble retaining a staff .

I was in a 'moms' group many years ago and met a woman whose husband was a district or maybe regional manager (can't remember its been about 10 years) for PE. He made DAMN good money! They pay upper mgt. very well. We always thought it was ironic because he was actually from China (his parents still lived there and they would go back to visit) but PE is DEFINITELY not authentic Chinese food.

.... and no, there is no conflict of interest... my friend & her husband divorced and she moved a few hours away to be closer to family & we didn't stay in contact.

Well, I'll put it to you this way. The starting wage at Panda Express is more than what we start people out where I work. And I work in a business where you are dealing with people who may have committed multiple felonies a few hours before you meet them.

So I'm not decrying the wages.

Today I did one. But I walked in with my Brümate container of water to have with my meal. While many restaurants let you have a cup of water and usually it can be dispensed from the fountain drink bar, they neglect to change filters timely or run the sanitizing rinse through the hoses. I seem to always get the awful tasting water. I complained at many places about this and once at a Starbucks because they "triple filter," so I was particularly annoyed. The employee knew me and trusted my complaint and went to check the filter. I was still near the front counter where the employees go back and forth behind the counter. They came out with a dirty filter and showed it to me! They said they were surprised it had not been changed since it was part of their routine maintenance. Whenever I go to that location they never charge me for my drink.

@heywave

What research have you done to arrive at this conclusion? "The % of people that dine in and don't order a drink has to be very low. " Also, what is "very low" percentage? Is that single digits (under 10%)?

I think it really depends on the place. From my experience, McDonalds seems to have a high percentage of people ordering drinks. However, at In n Out, there is not as high of a percentage getting drinks. Quite a few people get water. Same with Chipotle not getting as many drinks other than water.

I would agree that it is strange to get NOTHING. Most people not wanting to drink soda or not willing to spend extra $ to have soda....would at least ask for water.

@hbbigdaddy The only research I have is my experience from going out to eat over the years and people watching. As a Dine In customer, I can't remember a time when I went to McDonald's or a nice high end restaurant or anything in between that someone did not have a beverage unless someone is eating a soft ice cream cone and that would count as a pass for a beverage. I am not counting someone that just sat down and is waiting for someone to take/deliver their drink order. Someone not having a beverage would stand out to me. I would say the % of dine in customers not consuming any beverage with their food has to be in the single digits. We don't have In N Out here. I've been to Chipotle once and they didn't have guac so I walked out and never went back.

I was surprised to see an industry article stating that beverage ordering was down to 70%. That seems low to me and I wonder if ordering water counts in their calculations. I am also curious if pick up and drive thru drink ordering is part of the equation. If I am on a route and swing into a drive thru, I avoid buying a beverage since I probably have a "free" one from doing shops earlier in the day. If I am home and use a fast food drive thru, I usually pass on the drink too since I have drinks at home and don't want to pay extra.

There are exceptions of course, like I can get a free order of large fries if I spend a $1 on a drink, then it is worth it to me and I buy a drink.

I have seen signs at eateries that say no outside food or drink. That makes sense to me. It would be odd to bring your own drink to a restaurant.

Not getting any beverage, including water, would be a red flag

I'm trying to cut down on my disposable plastic consumption and regularly bring my own water bottle into fast food and fast casual places. Starting to bring my own lidded hot cup into coffee places too.

To not consume a beverage with a meal is very 'different' then the norm.
I understand not drinking soda, but not to get a beverage at all (even water) is weird.
I GUESS that less then 3% of people bring their own drink on a regular basis. This GUESS is from spending a lot of time in restaurants.

There is a PE in my town, but I've never, ever seen a shop for it, and I'm signed up with the MSC. I see PE shops all over the place except here. I understand that PEs are all corporate-owned and not franchises, so I don't get why this location is apparently never shopped. Or maybe there's a shopper who gets first crack at them before they can be posted?

And I think it's weird to not order a beverage with a meal, even if it's water. That's what I usually do, since the price of drinks in most restaurants is ridiculous; when the three of us order soda or iced tea, it adds at least $10 to our bill. I'd rather spend that on an appetizer for the table.

Fun to be 3% of the population. I've never felt like I stand out. ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

@BirdyC

Are you sure they are all corporate owned? It does not appear they call them "franchises", but there is a section on their website that mentions "licensing" and seems like they allow this to be done.

[www.pandaexpress.com]

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

@BirdyC

Are you sure they are all corporate owned? It does not appear they call them "franchises", but there is a section on their website that mentions "licensing" and seems like they allow this to be done.

[www.pandaexpress.com]

I'm not 100% sure, but somebody on here said that at one time, and when I googled it, I found that franchises are not an option for PE. I didn't see anything about licensing, so maybe that's something like a franchise?

I never order a drink at a restaurant aside from tap water unless at a higher end dinner where I have wine. This is in line with how I eat at home, mostly tap water with meals. When the sign says not to bring in your own drinks I think they are referring to the type of drinks you pay for. If you ask for water be careful to ask for a cup for water or similar as in many cases they will sell you a small bottle of water at a huge mark up for them.
I have never, ever felt they thought I was a mystery shopper. I started bringing sippy cups full of milk when my kids were toddlers and continued that practice thru their childhood. Most of the places we went to eat at, usually spicy foreign non chain non American cuisine, did not have milk on the menu. Nowadays there are many "health conscious" people in my city that never drink sodas anymore and also many restaurants who do not sell an alternative.
In fact the other day I was at an upscale fast food place and was chatting with one of the managers, She was telling me about how many times they clear a table where the people asked for 4 water cups and she sees remnants of soda in them. This is what they do not want. That is a family who will stand out to them. Not the people who do not order a soda at all and just drink tap water.