AI for Restaurants:

Personalized service has long been a focus of the restaurant industry. Sometimes it can be as simple as remembering a customer’s name and favorite dish. Or, it might involve customizing offers based on a customer’s preferences.

When a restaurant achieves a high level of customer service, it builds a positive brand reputation, leads to a loyal customer base for repeat business and typically results in an increase in revenue per service. With staffing shortages, though, providing that five-star service isn’t always easy.

To combat this lack of adequate staffing, artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be adopted by restaurants for a variety of functions. AI technologies are becoming transformative tools in the restaurant industry, enabling predictive insights and improving operational efficiency. These functions include answering calls, taking reservations, maintaining waitlists, tracking inventory and food preparation. Even with these technology advances, many restaurants are finding that automation doesn’t have to replace that connection — it can enhance it.

Enter AI voice agents and interactive voice response systems (IVRS). These tools are changing how restaurants handle reservations, manage takeout orders, answer customer questions and even run loyalty programs. AI tools are also practical solutions for independent restaurants to enhance operations and address staffing challenges. With the right setup, they can improve efficiency, reduce labor costs and elevate the guest experience without losing that human touch.

An AI voice agent is a virtual assistant powered by artificial intelligence that can understand, process and respond to spoken language. Using advanced speech recognition and natural language processing (NLP), it can accurately interpret what callers say and respond appropriately. It’s a technology solution that serves as a highly capable, 24/7 team member who never needs a break. The AI voice agent can manage phone calls and support both inbound and outbound communication.

In a restaurant setting, an AI voice agent can take phone orders and send them directly to the kitchen or point-of-sale (POS) system, eliminating the risk of miscommunication between customers and staff. It can answer frequently asked questions about menus, hours and location, allowing your team to focus on the guests in front of them rather than the phone. The agent can also handle calls efficiently, including qualifying leads and booking appointments.

An AI voice agent also can handle reservation bookings and confirmations without human intervention. Even during peak hours, it can manage call overflow, meaning no customer is left waiting endlessly on hold. According to research from the National Restaurant Association, off-premise customers say they not only value speed of service and shorter wait times, but also the availability of tech-enabled ordering and payment options that allow them to complete transactions quickly and efficiently, including through their phones.

One of the biggest advantages of voice agents lies in their conversational ability. They don’t rely on stiff, pre-recorded messages but instead can adapt in real time to the caller’s needs, offering responses that feel natural and personal. AI voice agents can engage in real conversations that feel authentic to customers.

An interactive voice response system (IVRS) is the basis of many AI-driven phone experiences. Modern IVR software powers these systems, enabling automation and self-service options. An IVR system is an automated telephony solution that enables efficient call handling and customer self-service.

IVR technology is commonly implemented within contact centers to streamline support. Previously, IVRS used rigid menu structures where customers pressed numbers to navigate options. Traditional systems often relied on prerecorded messages to guide callers. Although functional, these somewhat archaic systems often left callers frustrated.

Modern AI-powered IVRS operates differently. Callers no longer need to “press 1 for reservations” or “2 for takeout.” They can simply state what they want, and the system understands and responds instantly. For restaurants, this means calls can be automatically routed to the right department, whether it’s catering inquiries, reservations or general information.

IVR solutions are now used across industries to automate customer service and improve efficiency. They improve call flow and use call routing to direct callers to the appropriate department or representative, efficiently manage inbound calls and reduce wait times.

An updated IVRS can also provide real-time updates to customers, such as letting them know their table will be ready shortly or sharing the day’s specials without a staff member ever having to pick up the phone. Modern IVR systems can handle concurrent calls, scaling to meet high demand.

When paired with an AI voice agent, IVRS transforms from a basic routing tool into a personalized, efficient and guest-friendly experience. You can also create custom call flows or voices to enhance personalization.

The restaurant industry is under constant pressure, from labor shortages and rising wages to unpredictable demand and growing customer expectations. AI for restaurants offers a way to meet these challenges without foregoing service quality. The key benefits of adopting AI include improved efficiency, reduced labor costs and an enhanced customer experience.

An increasing number of restaurants are adopting AI voice and interactive systems for:

1. A Labor Shortage Solution

Staffing issues aren’t going away anytime soon. An AI voice agent can handle repetitive customer calls, and AI-driven phone agents can automate phone interactions to support staff during labor shortages, leaving your team free to focus on higher-value tasks.

2. 24/7 Availability

Restaurants can only operate so many hours a day, but customers might want to place an order or make a reservation outside of your business hours. An AI system ensures no opportunity is lost.

3. Consistent, Error-Free Service

AI voice agents never forget to upsell, always confirm orders and can read menu details perfectly. The result is no misheard specials or forgotten modifiers.

4. Data and Insights

Every interaction can be logged and analyzed, giving you valuable data on call volume, customer preferences and frequently asked questions while highlighting the importance of managing and securing customer data in compliance with industry standards. You can utilize that data to modify your menu, customize offers and bolster personalized service.

Restaurant patrons come from all walks of life and speak various languages. That’s why multilingual support is a game-changer for AI voice agents in the restaurant industry. By equipping your IVR systems with AI voice agents that can communicate in multiple languages, you ensure that every guest feels welcome and understood, no matter their native tongue.

These advanced voice agents can seamlessly route calls to the appropriate representative or provide self-service options in the caller’s preferred language. Whether you’re handling multiple calls at once or offering self-service for common requests, multilingual AI voice agents deliver efficient service without sacrificing quality. Plus, you can customize your AI voice agents to maintain consistent quality and branding across all customer interactions, ensuring that every guest enjoys a top-tier restaurant experience.

Imagine your fine dining restaurant is slammed on a Friday night. The phones won’t stop ringing, but every staff member is already busy with in-person diners.

Instead of missing calls (and potential orders), your AI voice agent answers:

“Thank you for calling Bella’s Bistro. Would you like to place an order, make a reservation or hear today’s specials?”

The caller says they’d like to order. The AI agent takes the order, confirms it, sends it to your POS and even processes payment (if your system allows). The customer gets exactly what they want without waiting on hold, and your staff stays focused on in-house service. After the call, the AI voice agent can automatically send follow-ups via SMS to confirm orders or reservations, streamlining your workflow and enhancing the guest experience.

If you’re considering adding an AI voice agent or interactive voice response system, here’s how to make it a success:

1. Choose a Restaurant-Specific Solution

AI for restaurants is different from AI for call centers or retail. When choosing a solution, prioritize providers that offer advanced voice artificial intelligence capabilities tailored for restaurants, as voice AI can handle menu complexity, order modifications and reservation integrations efficiently.

2. Integrate With Your Existing Tools

Your AI system should connect seamlessly to your POS, reservation platform and online ordering system. The less manual work, the better.

3. Train Your AI Agent

While AI systems come with built-in capabilities, customizing responses for your restaurant makes interactions more personal.

4. Test and Optimize

Start with a soft launch, monitor call logs and adjust scripts or AI training data to improve responses over time.

To truly understand the impact of AI voice agents in your restaurant, it’s important to track the right metrics. Start by monitoring call volume and wait times because these numbers reveal how well your voice agents are handling customer demand and whether guests are getting the prompt service they expect.

Customer satisfaction is another key metric. AI voice agents can help you gather feedback and insights from every interaction, allowing you to fine-tune your service.

Keep an eye on call abandonment rates and the quality of customer interactions. By integrating your AI voice agent with CRM systems, you can track preferences and personalize future service, turning every call into an opportunity to build loyalty. With the right analytics in place, you’ll be able to optimize your AI voice agents for maximum efficiency and customer satisfaction, driving growth and setting your restaurant apart from the competition.

The future of AI in the restaurant industry is bright, with rapid advancements in NLU, machine learning and IVR technology paving the way for even more sophisticated customer interactions. As AI voice agents become more capable, restaurants will benefit from greater efficiency, higher customer satisfaction and increased revenue. The rise of virtual assistants and intelligent automation means that restaurants can offer personalized, engaging experiences across every touchpoint.

Looking ahead, AI voice agents will integrate with emerging technologies like chatbots and messaging platforms, enabling true omnichannel customer service. This evolution will empower restaurants to deliver seamless, consistent interactions, whether a guest is calling, texting or chatting online. As the industry continues to innovate, AI voice agents will be at the forefront, helping restaurants provide exceptional service, foster loyalty and stay ahead in a competitive market.

When it comes to implementing AI voice agents and interactive voice response systems in the restaurant industry, Revmo is the leader. Our restaurant-specific platform is designed for hospitality, not just generic customer service.

With Revmo AI, restaurants get 24/7 AI voice agents that handle orders, reservations and FAQs. Our solution offers seamless integration with popular POS and reservation platforms and customizable, brand-specific voice personalities. Plus, it’s a scalable platform that grows with your business.

Whether you’re a single-location café or a multi-unit chain, our AI technology delivers the efficiency you need without losing the level of hospitality your guests expect. Revmo AI is ready to answer your calls — schedule a demo to learn how!