For as long as there have been quick-service restaurants, there have been people trying to steal from them.
In sit-down locations, this can involve simply leaving the restaurant before the bill has been paid. This is frequently called a “dine and dash,” and numerous stories of such behavior have sparked internet discussion in the past. For example, one user shared a story about a party of 12 walking out on a $600 tab; another server stated that, after a customer walked out on a bill, they were made to pay the bill themselves.