Ep 4. F for Effort

In Mystery Diners season 1 episode 4, entitled "F for Effort," restaurant owner Susan suspects that her staff is slacking off and not giving their best efforts during the lunch rush. She contacts the Mystery Diners team to investigate and finds out that her suspicions were correct.

During the initial investigation, the Mystery Diners team sets up hidden cameras throughout the restaurant to observe the staff in action. They find that the waitstaff is neglecting their duties, the kitchen staff is slacking off, and the bartenders are giving away free drinks to their friends.

With this information in hand, the Mystery Diners team devises a plan to catch the staff in the act. They send in an undercover Mystery Diner disguised as a customer to observe the staff and report back on their behavior.

As the day progresses, the Mystery Diner witnesses the waitstaff sitting around, ignoring their customers, and not refilling their drinks. The kitchen staff is seen joking around and not paying attention to orders, resulting in long wait times for customers.

When the Mystery Diner orders a drink from the bartender, they are surprised to receive a free shot of tequila. The Mystery Diner then strikes up a conversation with the bartender and quickly learns that he has been giving away free drinks to his friends and not charging them for their drinks.

After the Mystery Diner reports back to the restaurant owner, Susan confronts her staff and tells them that the Mystery Diners team has been observing them. She lays down the law and tells them that if they do not shape up, they will be fired.

In the end, the staff shapes up and the restaurant becomes more efficient and profitable. The Mystery Diners team leaves satisfied that they were able to help another restaurant owner improve their business and catch the dishonest employees who were not giving their best efforts.