The New York Police Department reports that "chewers & screwers"- diners that run up big restaurant and bar bills and then take off without paying- have hit businesses 20% more times this past year than the one before. What's most interesting is that the dine and dashers aren't just from the young and dumb crowd anymore. Older customers are showing up to order large meals only to excuse themselves for a quick cigarette, never to be heard from again. Some customers leave cell phones behind as collateral that turn out to be stolen. There are even customers bringing their children into restaurants to eat and then use them as an excuse to take off before paying the bill.
Have you had any dine and dashers run out on their bill in your restaurant?