How Restaurants Can Automate Phone Orders with AI Voicebots

Introduction: The Problem with Traditional Phone Orders

Restaurants in the US still receive a large share of orders by phone — especially pizzerias, takeout spots, and local diners. But handling these calls manually causes problems:

• Staff are pulled away from in-store customers

• Long hold times lead to abandoned calls

• Mistakes in taking orders cause lost revenue

• Peak-hour call volume overwhelms staff capacity

This is where AI voicebots come in. They can answer calls 24/7, take customer orders in natural language, and instantly send them to your POS system (like Square).

What Is an AI Voicebot for Phone Orders?

An AI voicebot is an automated system that answers phone calls, speaks naturally with customers, and collects order details — just like a human employee would.

Example conversation:
Customer: “Hi, I’d like two cheeseburgers, fries, and a large Sprite.”
Voicebot: “Sure, two cheeseburgers, fries, and a large Sprite. Would you like to add a dessert today?”

Once confirmed, the order is sent directly to your POS system, where it prints in the kitchen like any normal order.

Step-by-Step: How to Automate Your Restaurant’s Phone Orders

Step 1 — Choose an AI Voicebot Platform

Select a platform that supports:

• POS integration (Square, Toast, Clover)

• Accurate speech recognition

• Upselling and special requests

• Multi-location scaling

• Easy setup (OAuth login instead of complex API keys)

💡 Tip: If you use Square POS, a solution like SpeakLouder AI lets you just create an account, sign in, and connect via OAuth.

Step 2 — Connect Your POS System

Most modern AI voicebots connect to your POS in minutes.
For example with Square:

1. Log in to your AI voicebot dashboard

2. Click “Connect to Square”

3. Approve access via OAuth

4. Your menu items automatically sync into the voicebot

Step 3 — Configure Your Menu and Rules

Customize the voicebot’s behavior:

• Add synonyms (“soda” = “Coke, Pepsi”)

• Enable upselling (“Would you like fries with that?”)

• Set business hours and auto-closing messages

Step 4 — Test and Launch

Run test calls to verify:

• Accurate order capture

• Correct POS syncing

• Smooth conversation flow

Once confirmed, go live and route your restaurant phone number to the voicebot.

Benefits of AI Phone Order Automation

✅ 24/7 Availability
Handle calls after hours or during rush periods.

✅ Reduced Labor Costs
Free staff from repetitive phone tasks so they can serve dine-in guests.

✅ Faster Service
No more hold times or missed calls.

✅ Fewer Errors
Orders go directly from customer to POS with no manual entry.

✅ Higher Sales
Voicebots can upsell automatically on every order.

Real-World Example

A local burger shop in Texas used to miss 20–30 phone calls daily during lunch rush. After adding an AI voicebot integrated with Square:

• 90% of calls were answered automatically

• Average order size rose by 15% from upsells

• Staff saved 25+ hours per week on phones

FAQ: Automating Phone Orders

1. How fast can setup be done?
With solutions like SpeakLouder, it can take less than an hour to be live.

2. Does it work with accents or background noise?
Yes — modern NLP handles accents, slang, and noisy environments.

3. Can customers pay by phone?
Yes — if supported by your POS, the voicebot can process payments securely.

4. Is it expensive?
Typical pricing is $200–$500/month per location depending on call volume.

5. Will it replace staff?
No — it handles repetitive calls, freeing staff for better guest service.

Conclusion: AI Voicebots Are the Future of Phone Orders

In 2025, manual phone ordering is quickly becoming obsolete. With AI voicebots, restaurants can:

• Answer 100% of calls

• Take accurate orders 24/7

• Eliminate phone-related labor costs

Whether you run a small pizzeria or a busy multi-location brand, automating phone orders is one of the fastest ways to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.