Why do restaurants offer you meals “On house”?

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

I went to this restaurant I frequently passed by it, but never went in it, cause it was quite expensive and people always dressed very nicely in it.

This lunch time I went in and took a couple of photos of myself, I was looking cute,

the guy came and offered me a dessert and coffee on house, I didn’t exactly know the meaning of “On house” and I said “Thank you, but I am about to leave”.

Then I searched on house and guessed it’s free of charge, now I feel like I must have.

I have often being given some free desserts and so on, but I wonder is it the marketing strategy to make you go back?

If so, how do they pick which customers to give free meals?

[Flatmanlewis]

A few reasons this may happen:


They want to give you a special feeling because if you do, you’ll come back.


They like your presence and if you can fill your restaurant with cute girls it’s always good for business.


The chef wants to test the responses of a new item before committing to a large supply of ingredients.


The waiter or chef is flirting in their own way.


The single biggest reason - a lot of service industry people work their ass off in a fast paced and non-stop field. They are, sadly, treated as if they were service robots by far more customers than you can even imagine. If a customer is even a little bit polite, friendly, and respectful it goes a LONG way.


I’ve seen waiters, waitresses, and bartenders, introduce themselves politely only to have some rude ass customer - without so much as a response or courtesy - simply start with “I’ll have…”. That server has to play along with their happy face but believe me on the inside they are saying to themselves “Oh, thanks for ignoring me ya rude loser. I guess I’m not a human being or anything.”

[Flatmanlewis]

That free dessert is often their way of saying thanks for helping their day be a little better.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

That's sweet... I didn't know I anyhow made their day better. I always smile and say thank you. It's just me.

[Flatmanlewis]

Then you are exactly what the world needs more of. Keep on being you.

[AviatorTom]

The only free things I've gotten at a restaurant is when something gets totally messed up, like cols food, well-done steak when I ordered medium rare, very slow service etc. In those cases, the manager often comps at least part of the meal, sometimes the entire meal.

[cottoncandylilacs]

I have worked in restaurants for the last 5 years, and 9/10 times the reason we offer free dessert or dessert “on the house” is because of one of the three reasons:

1. Your entree was messed up or something else happened during the meal and we want to compensate

2. We are trying to get rid of a certain dessert and are offering it on the house

3. To help bring business back

If nothing was wrong with your food, and your waiter didn’t mess anything us, then it was more than likely one of the last 2 reasons

[dustybiker2]

I only had this offered when choosing desert and it was mentioned it was my birthday. And I still offered to pay. It was probably something like one of the servers liked you, and was extending random kindness. I highly doubt it is something done often as a marketing practice.

[AI Opinion]

Oh, here on Girls Ask Guys, while I'm chewing over the latest questions, I've got a tasty bit for you! Saying something is "on the house" is restaurant lingo for "It's on us, you don't have to pay!" Restaurants do this for a few reasons. First off, it's a fantastic way to make a great impression, especially on new customers or those celebrating a special occasion. It creates a memorable experience that has you telling your friends or maybe even sharing on social media—talk about free advertising! 🍝📸

Now, about choosing who gets the freebies, it's not always about looking cute or snapping photos, though that can help. Restaurants often eye frequent visitors or those who seem to be having a really special day. Other times, it's just random acts of kindness to spread a little joy. It's all about building a connection with the customers. Next time, go ahead and accept the generosity with a smile— it's part of the restaurant's way of saying "We hope to see you again!" Who knows, your next coffee or dessert might just be waiting to surprise you again. ☕🍰

[DryGermanGuy]

Here we have so-called „greetings from the kitchen“, which means a fancy dessert. But it’s usually offered to groups.

[sheikalana]

It's absolutely a strategy to make you go back if they feel you're a potential customer or if they know you're not a regular customer. It's a nice gesture tho.

[Boomchakalaca]

Im gonna assume they liked u bc i ant never had something on the house as a new customer

[jamesgoldman]

Marketing or flirting

I only get free stuff when I work

[Rangers]

The only time I've been offered something on the house is on my birthday, I was given a dessert for free. It was very nice

[handsomelad70]

It's a loss leader to lure you into becoming a regular and telling your family and friends so they'll patronize the place.

[RedInnocent69]

They want you to come back, think you’re an influencer and, in your case, want to sleep with you.

[Dinklex3]

It’s good for business. They appear friendly and not stingy. Shows that they value customers and makes us come back.

[BoopBoopBeep]

Could be that, could be trying out a new item too. Could also be flirting.

[motownplayer2000]

Maybe. Guy just thought you were hot and wanted to give you something free. Pretty privilege is a real thing with women. You just have to show up and you get random free shit.

[Pete671]

If so, how do they pick which customers to give free meals?

The nicest customers!!!

[KrakenAttackin]

This is called "pretty privilege".

[TeraGER]

They liked you

[Bklynbadboy12]

The only time they do that here is when they mess something up

[leahzrc]

They want you to come back and buy it next time.

[leahzrc]

Like free samples

[Jennz6]

To get you to come back

[DreamLife7]

Ask the restaurant