Why Voice AI Matters for Restaurants
In the restaurant industry, every missed call is lost revenue. Whether it's a takeout order during dinner rush or a reservation request after hours, customers who can't get through simply call the next restaurant on their list.
The Problem: Missed Calls Cost Money
Industry research shows that up to 75% of business voicemails go unanswered. In restaurants, this translates directly to lost orders and empty tables.
"High voicemail abandonment rates mean customers don't wait—they move on to competitors." — Destination CRM
During peak hours, staff are already overwhelmed serving in-house guests. Phone calls go to voicemail or receive rushed, incomplete service.
The Solution: AI Phone Agents
AI voice agents answer every call in under 1 second, take orders accurately, book reservations, answer menu questions, and hand off complex requests to staff—all while your team focuses on guests.
Real-World Results
Major restaurant chains are already proving the value:
Wendy's is expanding AI ordering to 500-600 drive-thru locations, demonstrating that voice AI scales at the enterprise level. (Business Insider)
Red Lobster rolled out phone-ordering AI across all locations nationwide to capture every call and reduce wait times. (SoundHound AI)
What Voice AI Does for Restaurants
1. Takes Takeout & Delivery Orders
- Captures complete orders accurately
- Integrates with POS systems (Toast, Square, Clover)
- Remembers previous orders for regulars
- Suggests upsells (drinks, sides, desserts)
2. Books Reservations
- Checks availability in real-time
- Syncs with reservation systems
- Sends confirmation texts/emails
- Handles modifications and cancellations
3. Answers Common Questions
- Hours of operation
- Menu items and pricing
- Dietary restrictions and ingredients
- Directions and parking
4. Handles Peak Times
- Never puts callers on hold
- Answers multiple calls simultaneously
- Maintains quality during rushes
- Frees staff to focus on in-house guests
The Technology: How It Works
Modern AI voice agents feature barge-in technology, meaning callers can interrupt naturally—just like talking to a human. If a customer says "wait, actually..." mid-sentence, the agent adjusts in real-time.
When requests exceed the agent's capabilities, it performs a warm handoff to staff, passing full context so the caller never repeats themselves.
Compliance & Security
For restaurants taking orders with payment over the phone:
- PCI DSS compliance: DTMF masking ensures card numbers never appear in recordings
- GDPR/UK GDPR: Customer data handled according to UK regulations
- Data minimization: Only collect what's needed for the order
ROI: What to Expect
Based on industry deployments:
- Capture rate: 95%+ of inbound calls answered (vs. 50-60% with staff-only)
- Order accuracy: 98%+ (AI doesn't mishear or forget items)
- Upsell rate: 15-25% higher with consistent AI prompts
- Payback period: Typically 3-6 months for independent restaurants
Getting Started
New Odyssey's managed AI voice agents integrate with your existing:
- POS systems (Toast, Square, Clover, Aloha, etc.)
- Phone systems (any SIP/PSTN provider)
- Reservation platforms (OpenTable, Resy, etc.)
Implementation takes 2-4 weeks, with continuous tuning to optimize for your menu, peak times, and customer preferences.
Next Steps
Ready to stop missing calls and start capturing revenue?
Book a 15-minute demo to see a live agent handle restaurant orders, or explore our pricing options.
About New Odyssey: We build and run AI voice agents for restaurants, clinics, and service businesses. Every call answered. Every opportunity captured.