Why do restaurants give you less food when you order carryout?

Question

I ordered a soup and a sandwich from Atlanta Bread Company and also from Panera Bread. They both gave me half as much soup when I ordered carryout versus when I eat in the restaurant. It doesn't make any sense to me. Carryout should be less costly for a restaurant since staff is not required to serve the customer and no dishwashing is required. Why do you get less food when you order carryout versus dining in a restaurant?

Answer 1

That just happened to me today!  I ordered a sub sandwich from a place called Dagwood's.  The sub was half the size of eat in... and really wasn't that good. Not sure if I'll even return.

Answer 2

because it saves them money and pisses you off, but people mostly don't check their orders until they get so far away that going back is an upsetting option and thats really how they get away with it.

Answer 3

you usually wouldn;t come back and complain. so they get away with giving you small portions

Answer 4

So that you buy more. Becuase when you sit down and eat, the retuarant would be in trouble. When you are in a hurry, they give you less so you won't mind buying more.

Answer 5

because of the to go container size.

Answer 6

Because they want you to pay them up front before you see the food. That's why it's wraped so tight. They figure you can't see the food and since it's carry-out they know that you ain't gonna get up in the cold and yell at them.

Answer 7

You are so right!  Good for you for bringing it up.  I have noticed that when I order take-away, I am also shorted on the 'extras' that you get when you sit down.  For instance, bread and butter or the little complimentary appetizers.

I think the reason it happens is that when you are taking food out, there is no way for you to notice it before you get home.  It's as though they are 'getting away' with something.

Now, what can we do about it?

Answer 8

It should actually be the same amount whether you are in restaurant or taking food to-go.  Most corporate restaurants portion their food, so it is usually weighed and is the same.  It may look smaller due to the to-go container.  At the bar I work at, we serve full menu and we portion everything.

Answer 9

they get less tip if any and they won't be able to try to get you to get seconds or desert