A Wetherspoons insider has warned customers to stay away from ordering some of the more popular items on the menu.
For many, Wetherspoons is reliable, cheap and easy, but the ex-employee claims that they can overcharge in sneaky ways.
Robert, who he worked at Wetherspoons while he was a student in Bristol, got to know the menu pretty well after being there for two years.
He realised that some things didn't quite add up and that items could cost more than they need to.
The ex-staff member says that both the premium burgers and pitchers - two very popular items - are actually a waste of money and he claims you can get the same thing for less.
Robert told the Sun : “Premium burgers cost more - but usually the only difference is cheese, bacon and sauce. Go for a classic and add on the toppings.”
Robert said he used to add bacon to a classic burger to keep his costs down when eating at the chain. This costs around £1.05 - which would mean you would be paying £6.20 with a soft drink, or £7.50 with booze.
When it comes to pitchers, he said: “Customers think you can’t go wrong with a pitcher, and used to rave about how great they were. But if you just drink normal spirits instead, you’d end up saving money and drinking the same amount of alcohol.”
Although prices vary between branches, pitchers usually cost around £6.99 with each jug containing only two double shots in it.
So if there are two of you are sharing, you’d be better off ordering a double shot and mixer instead, which will cost around £3.20 each - a saving of 59p.
Sophia Nasif, who used to work there full time, explained that when she poured someone a spirit and mixer, she used to offer them a “double” before offering a “single”.
This apparently tempts those buying drinks into opting for the double - and the trick has been backed by psychologists who specialise in consumer behaviour. Sophia said on Channel 5’s Wetherspoons: How Do They Do It?: “You say the word double so it sticks in their head first.”
She added: “It worked most of the time because most of the time people would go ‘do you know, why not? I’ll have a double then’.”
Psychologist Kate Nightingale added: “You are going for the easiest, fastest solution, that’s how your brain is designed. If you are asking them, double first makes it so much easier for the brain to quickly choose that first option.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
