I have to agree that Goodwin Hospitality are scammers. They have no respect for people, they expect you to spend 4-6 hours working on a project for them, waste your own money and your own gas to complete the project and then they refuse to pay you based on a small discrepancy in the lengthy report you were required to fill out. The reports are filed electronically and sometimes they freeze or cause problems. There are so many better companies out there that operate ethically. The pay is also, on average, much lower than other companies. So more risk... less reward. Horrible. Goodwin will just come back and say, "oh well we have quality standards that each shopper agrees to.. and blah blah blah..." But they take 10 days to review your shop, and then create a discrepancy. They give you less than 24 hours to respond / clarify and by this time, you have no clue what they're talking about. All you know is you worked your butt off to complete that report accurately, efficiently, and did everything required. Then they weasel their way out of paying you --- aka SLAVE LABOR. By the way, I'm with several other mystery shopping companies and they have EXCELLENT standards for their clients... however they NEVER, I repeat NEVER scam a person out of money for work performed for them. They would take initiative to work on a solution and ensure both client and shopper are treated fairly. GOODWIN HOSPITALITY does NOT treat their shoppers fairly. After reading several complaints about them online, I honestly think they are trying to get free work so they can provide their clients with more shoppers for less $. Very unethical. Scam alert. In fact, I'm going to be reporting them to as many authorities as I can. They simply cannot expect people to PAY their own money to WORK for them, and not reimburse them or pay them for their time. And quit with the BS about "if the client won't accept it, we can't pay you"... you don't even give the contractor a chance to look into the report, you give them no means to look back at it or correct it (if there even was an error). SCAM SCAM SCAM. read more

I have read the comments about how horrible Goodwin Hospitality is to mystery shoppers with a mixture of amusement and sadness. I do not claim to be an expert in the shopper industry; however, I am under active contract to 18 Mystery Shopper companies and I rank Goodwin Hospitality as one of the top two most responsive and responsible companies; both for the shoppers and the clients who rely on mystery shopping as a means to understand where their management focus should be to assure them of getting and keeping customers. Goodwin Hospitality expects shoppers to adhere strictly to the client guidelines of every shop. Those guidelines are shaped by the client's need to know specific performance patterns in their operations. Doing a 99% correct shop is worthless, and there is no way the client should authorize Goodwin to pay the deficient shopper for it. If a shopper complains that they spent more on a shop than they got paid, that is 100% the fault of the shopper. If a shopper complains that they did not get paid because they omitted one client request out of 40 that is 100% the fault of the shopper. Let me tell you why I rank Goodwin Hospitality so highly. First, they have very clear contracts, with precision guidelines and specific expectations, because if those are not followed, no one wins. They monitor shops closely, and have some amazing people in their organization, people like Karin C. who is a very talented scheduling administrator. If shoppers are willing to admit what they do not know, she will find a way to help them become excellent shoppers; however, bearing in mind that a continuing rule of all humanity is that you cannot teach an elephant to jump. read more

Easily the best recruiting agency I have ever dealt with. A special shout out to Angel Santiago and Marcia Recks. They were outstanding through the entire process! Throughout my years as a restaurant manager, I have used recruiters on both sides of the hiring process...job seeker and employer.  Angel and Marcia are, without a doubt, the two best recruiters I have ever worked with. They both were really "on top of things", incredibly supportive of me, paid attention to the details, were upbeat and energetic, and, most importantly, had great communication. We did run into a few delays in the process on the part of the employer that frustrated me and they could not have been more understanding of my situation and my emotions...they put on their cheerleading hats and kept my spirits up. Yes, they are working for the hiring company but, I really felt like they were completely looking out for my best interests too. As I mentioned, the communication was outstanding. Even when there was no progress to report they touched base with me. This was very important as I had previously had a very disappointing experience with another recruiting company who would go weeks without any updates on jobs I had interviewed for. And every time I reached out to them they would not know anything. The communication from Angel and Marcia was completely 100% the opposite and it made huge difference. If you want to get a job I highly recommend Goodwin Recruiting and especially Angel and Marcia. read more

There are many career recruiters in the Hospitality industry... but how do you really know if they are truly working on your behalf or theirs? are you trusting them with your future because you know they'll work in your best interest? how do you know for sure? ... How do you trust someone to put you on your next career path and be perfectly fine waiting for it? ..Well... I'll share my experiemce.. I have been working with Steven Dubrinsky and Amanda Weedman at Goodwin Recruiting for almost a month now, their attention to detail, genuine care, and proven expertise gave me the ease I needed during the interview proccess. I know that they where not rushing to put me in front of just "any opportunity", "anywhere", I know that because they shared it with me, they kept an open dialogue with me, Can you say the same about your current Hospitality recruiter? ...and because they talk to me wholeheartedly I know that they continued to look out for my future, my well being, and my reputation as a professional Direcror of Operations. They acknowledged my strengths and provided encouragement, and that makes me recognize their humbleness and truthfulness. Both exampled a coach-like demeanor mixed in with the strategic critical thinker that allowed for best decisions and congruent recruiting results. Today I want to share their professionalism, and steady hand in making the "right call" at the "right time" for me, and surely, for anybody who would give them an opportunity. read more

i have been a mystery shopper since early 2009 and have performed many mystery shops for Goodwin Hospitality since August 2012. I initially signed-up with a bunch of mystery shopping companies but in the first few years of mystery shopping I developed relationships with only a handful of companies that I felt had great shops, great schedulers, good shopping fees $$, great support systems in place, offered easy reporting that was not too time consuming, and paid on time!! Since 2009 I have have had only one company not pay (restaurantshops.com-client: sprinkles cupcakes). I've had pay issues a couple other times when I did not follow instructions, but learned real quick!! I perform an average of 20 to 40 shops a month depending on other work commitments, and can bring in an extra $300 to $950 a month. Karin, the scheduler I have worked with for almost 2 years now is one of my favorite schedulers. She's quick, friendly and supportive, which I think is so important to have that support system in place!! She'll work with my schedule and offers options. As well, they offer bonuses on some shops that need urgent attention. Needless to say, Goodwin Hospitality is one of my favorite mystery shopping companies to work with. And Karin is one of my favorite schedulers!! read more

I love working for Goodwin Hospitality. They are a legit mystery shopping company to work for and it is a great way to have fun entertainment and dining without much (if any) out of pocket expense. If you are looking for a way to supplement your going out to eat budget or entertainment budget, mystery shopping is a great way to go - especially with this company. This company is easy to work with and I appreciate being able to speak with people on the phone and communicate via email. I am not a number in their company, but a vested mystery shopper. The are effective, efficient communicators...and accessible. I have always been paid within the timeframe stated and enjoyed having Paypal linked. After my shops are submitted and funds transferred, I will receive an email from Paypal stating they are in my account. I have worked for this company for over 2 1/2 years and have done well over 45 shops. Each shop has been approved and paid with ease and timeliness. I would highly recommend working for this company (I have worked for other mystery shopping companies and have never received the personal communication). Goodwin is a step above the other companies! Highly recommend, without reservation. read more

Over the past two months, Michelle McAdoo from Goodwin Recruiting has been an incredible guide during my job search, ultimately helping me secure a wonderful job offer. From our first interaction, Michelle demonstrated an impressive understanding of my professional background and career goals. They were not only proactive in seeking out opportunities that aligned with my skills and aspirations but also provided invaluable advice throughout the entire recruitment process.Their communication was consistently clear and timely, which made navigating the job search far less stressful than it could have been. Michelle went above and beyond by preparing me for interviews, offering insights into company culture, and even giving post-interview feedback that was both constructive and encouraging. What truly sets Michelle apart is their dedication to not just filling a position but ensuring a good match for both the candidate and the employer. Their professionalism, patience, and genuine interest in my career development made all the difference. If you're in the job market, I highly recommend working with Michelle and Goodwin Recruiting. They are a testament to what excellent recruitment looks like. read more

My experience with Francesca, my recruiter at Goodwin Recruiting, was nothing short of exceptional. From start to finish, she demonstrated a level of professionalism, empathy, and industry expertise that truly sets her apart. Francesca is personable, understanding, and has a deep knowledge of the restaurant industry, which allows her to expertly place talented individuals in roles where they can thrive. Throughout the entire hiring process, she maintained open and clear communication, ensuring I felt supported every step of the way. She took the time to deeply understand the organization she connected me with, explained their business model in detail, and provided valuable insights to help me prepare for my interviews. Francesca also followed up consistently between my initial interview, second interview, and even coordinated with the business owner to draft my offer letter seamlessly. I highly recommend Goodwin Recruiting, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about Francesca. She is truly top-notch, and I would confidently recommend her to any of my professional contacts looking to transition into a new role. Thank you, Francesca, for your dedication and expertise! read more

5 Stars - Highly Recommend Mike at Goodwin Recruiting! I can't say enough great things about Mike at Goodwin Recruiting! He helped me land the perfect job within my field, at the salary I truly deserve. Mike's attention to detail, personable personality, and commitment to understanding both me as a candidate and my future employer was incredible. I've worked with many recruiters before, but Mike went above and beyond. He truly felt like family, working with me not just to find a job, but to help plan my future. The level of care and professionalism he brought to the table was unmatched. One thing that stood out was receiving a personal congratulatory email from the COO of Goodwin Recruiting when I landed the job. At first, I thought it was an automated message, but to my surprise, it was a genuinely thoughtful and personal message from him. It's clear that Goodwin is built on people who care, and that makes all the difference. If you get the chance to work with Mike, take it! And even if you don't, I can confidently say Goodwin Recruiting is top-notch all around. Huge thanks to Mike, Scott, and the whole team. And as a final note... Go EAGLES!!! Thanks again, Goodwin! read more

I have done mystery shopping for many, many years. I started with and still work with Goodwin Hospitality, although I've also worked with at least 7 other mystery shopping hospitality companies. Now I work only with Goodwin. Why? They are the most professional, they understand the needs of their clients as well as the difficulties of begin a shopper. They offer a full range of many kinds of restaurant shops including quick serve, bar audits and high end, very fine dining establishments as well as shops that are in other businesses. They pay when they say they will pay, as stated in the information on their site. They pay in an easily accessible manner, via paypal. They understand that a quick serve shop demands a shorter report and shorter narratives than a fine dining establishment. The staff at Goodwin is helpful and prompt in answering questions. They are professional yet friendly. They have requirements, which they should. They are a business! What is wonderful about Goodwin is that It is clear that they value their shoppers. I've been delighted working with them for so long. I recommend them highly. read more

I would ignore any negative reviews, as the recruiters I worked with are professional and on top of their game. You can't expect a recruiter to turn you into a marketable candidate; your resume, credentials, and experience has to do some of the work. I am management level, and I can't speak to how things are handled outside of this realm, but I was given incredible respect for my 25+ years of experience. I spent ten months spinning my wheels, submitting resumes, and competing with every other unemployed hospitality worker out there. Within ten days of working with my recruiter, Mitch, I had three interviews lined-up and within 4-5 weeks I was hired. I was given interview prep above and beyond what I expected. I never waited more than four hours for a call back or an email. They did all of the heavy lifting and negotiating on my behalf. And without any hyperbole, I nailed my dream job. All this said, I also had an open mind to relocation and was willing to move should the job require it (and it did). I recommend working with them, especially in this climate. They are amazing at what they do. read more

Oh, how I love Goodwin Hospitality! I have been mystery shopping for over 20 years and only do so for the best of the best companies. I'm so happy to have found Goodwin Hospitality and the resulting great working relationship that has been established. Their job offerings are diverse, plentiful, easy to schedule and in rare cases when I have had an unforeseen conflict they have been responsive, understanding and accommodating. My communication has always been responded to timely, even on weekends and off hours. Reports are straight forward, contact information by email and phone are provided and the instructions are easy to understand. There are no grey areas and I have never had a problem. Payment is exactly 45 days if not a few days before that via Paypal. I have been able to dine at quick service restaurants for a great lunch or snack and date lunches and dinners with my husband, family and friends. The fees are fair for what they specify as ordering requirements but even if we go over, it is well worth it to me to be able to dine at fabulous venues. Love Goodwin Hospitality! read more

Worst experience ever with a recruiter. They only care about money. I was placed at a Davis Farmland where I was told I would work with high-end consultants and a restaurant was to open soon. Neither of these things was true. I expressed my concerns, that the position was not at all what the recruiter had told me and that they did not have the resources to open the restaurant. The recruiter told me I was wrong and I had a solid career ahead of me. Then a different recruiter from Goodwin called me with a different position that was with a solid company. My recruiter told I could not apply and that Davis Farmland would not lay me off. Davis Farmland then laid me off. My recruiter then promised to find me a different position. She then forgot about me. Then after expressing my dismay with the situation I was connected to a different recruiter. He also forgot about me. I saw several positions that I was qualified for without ever being contacted. So now I have a blemish in my resume and it is clearly the fault of Goodwin Recruiting. I would not advise working with them. read more

I have worked with Goodwin Hospitality for about 6 months now, and have to say that they are one of the best mystery shopping companies that I have had the pleasure of working with. They have always paid me on time, and never had any issues whatsoever. If anyone isn't getting paid, or says that they aren't getting paid what they are supposed to it is only because they haven't taken the time to read the paperwork that Goodwin provides for each and every shop that you accept, and follow it exactly how it reads. As long as you understand that, and of course you have the choice to accept any job or not, then there is no reason for not getting paid every single dime like I have on every shop I have done for Goodwin Hospitality. I love the work, and as a full-time student in college, as well as a full time driver for Uber it is a great way to earn a little extra on the side and eat at some great restaurants. I love doing work for them, and will continue to do so as long as possible. Thank you guys for everything and can't wait for my next shop! Daniel read more

Goodwin Hospitality is the best mystery shopping company that I have worked with. I am not sure why there are people who have said that it is a scam, because believe me, these guys are totally legitimate. The have been nothing but pleasant to deal with. I usually work with Lori K. and she has been nothing but helpful. Occasionally they have contacted me by phone and have been nothing but very nice and professional. They pay you when they say they are going to pay you and let you know all the rules very clearly and what NOT do do that may cause you NOT to get paid. People can say well they did not get "paid" to do the shop but that is not true they do get paid. You may just break even for your dinner but then you got that dinner for free and if not close to it, unless you ordered the most expensive items which you normally do not have to do. I have had it sometimes where I can make about $20.00 PLUS a free meal and other times where I pay a bit, but who gets entertained for free? I consider this a GREAT deal. These guys are the BEST!!!!! read more

I've been a Mystery Shopper for Goodwin Hospitality for approximately 6 months. As a Mystery Shopper I have an obligation to fulfill my promise of completing assignments that I request and doing so on schedule and to the best of my ability. I need to follow the instructions for each assignment. If I do this consistently, I will be given more and higher paying assignments. It's that simple. I've developed a great rapport with some of the schedulers at Goodwin Hospitality and we've helped each other out on more than one occasion. There are real people behind the business name and I've always been treated with respect. Someone is always available to assist. And, most importantly for me, they always pay me according to schedule. This is a great company, one of the best in my opinion. I've been shopping for about 8 years and wish I'd found Goodwin Hospitality sooner. If you're at all interested in becoming a mystery shopper but have heard only negative things, give Goodwin Hospitality a try. They will change your point of view! read more

I submitted my resume online to a few different sights, I left my job because I worked 12 hours a day and 6 days a week. John immediately had got in touch with me and I didn't want to go back into a salary position that would burn me out. I had to think it over and decided that it may be something I could consider if I was expected to work 6 days. Also a decent salary for the experience that I have would be something to consider, so I gave myself time and John was patient to wait. I reached out a week later and John was happy to work with me. Soon enough he put together an interview with me, we went through it all on my background, and what I have done. He then submitted my resume and I was on schedule for an interview instantly. John prepared me that morning and later that afternoon, I met with the GM. The next day was made an offer, and I had asked John to factor in health insurance costs, John came back with a different offer, and we all came to an agreement. This has been a win on all sides! Thank you John! Lia P. read more

I really love being a part of goodwin hospitality. I have worked in the customer service industry for over ten years, and when i found this mystery shopping program it allowed my keen observation skills to have a real purpose. although its not a way to make much money, it is an excellent way to get free nights out on the town, and if not free, at least signicantly offset the cost of going out. I've been with them for about 6 months now, doing many shops, and have been paid via paypal for every single one. when there was a problem with my report, i was contacted quickly to resolve the issue so that i would still be getting paid on time. Although i have had issues with one or two of the employees for goodwin, with them not being very communicative, or even downright rude/lacking in customer service on an occasion, the majority of the workers are extremely friendly, accomodating, and great at their jobs. Overall, great experiences and im glad i found them :-) read more

I have been mystery shopping for Goodwin for 15 months. During that time I have found their staff to be professional, responsive and friendly. They always reply to my emails, are as flexible (as they can be) with scheduling, and are quick to show their appreciation after I complete my reports. Not only are they great to work with on a personal level, they also offer shops at locations I LOVE to go to, both as a mystery shopper and as a customer. It's been a win-win. And I have NEVER worried about a shop getting rejected or not getting paid. The staff always makes sure I'm well informed about expectations prior to the shop and any follow up questions are asked in a respectful and professional tone--not accusatory like some other companies. In 15 months, I have yet to have a shop rejected or not get paid in a timely manner. My biggest conflict is not wanting to tell everyone how great this company and the people really are--I want to keep them all to myself! read more