Customers across the North East could save cash by avoiding two items on the Wetherspoon menu, according to an ex-employee.
Robert worked at the pub chain for two years while he was at university in Bristol. He has urged customers to be smarter after realising that they could be spending more than they need to, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The former staff member said choosing a classic burger with toppings can be cheaper than a premium burger and that ordering two double spirits and mixer costs less than a pitcher.
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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. The extra topping costs around £1.05, taking the total cost to £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. He said that if there are two people sharing, they are 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 at Weatherpoon 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.
Ex-employee 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 said: "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."
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