Cats Inviting themselves for Food at Our House

Not sure whether they tell each other, they come by smell, or simply spy on each other where they go, in either case, we are getting new cats coming into the house for food.

They are a bit hesitant on their first visit, a bit shy on their next visit, then demanding starting their 3rd visit if they don't find the plate filled up and in place when and where they expect it to be.