In the era of Google and online reservation platforms, you might wonder why anyone still calls a restaurant. However, many customers still make phone calls to restaurants, especially for last-minute bookings, to inquire about the menu or to ask about patio seating. To address this, a growing number of restaurants are now using AI voice restaurant hosts to answer customer calls.
These AI voice hosts can answer generic questions about the restaurant, such as dress code, cuisine, and seating arrangements. They can also assist with making, altering, or canceling a reservation. Some platforms can even direct the caller to an actual human if needed. Each platform offers subscription tiers that unlock additional features, and some can speak multiple languages.
Restaurant owners are finding that AI voice hosts can be a valuable asset in managing customer calls. For example, Matt Ho, the owner of Bodega SF, says that the phones used to ring constantly during service, with customers asking basic questions that could be found on the website. By using an AI voice host, Ho has been able to reduce the number of calls and free up staff to focus on other tasks.
While AI voice hosts have the potential to revolutionize the way restaurants manage customer calls, there are also challenges to consider. For example, some AI hosts can struggle with latency, and may not be able to answer complex or off-script questions. Additionally, some restaurant owners are concerned that using an AI host could negatively impact the customer experience.
Key Players in the AI Restaurant Host Market
Several companies are now offering AI voice host services to restaurants, including Maitre-D AI, Newo, RestoHost, and Slang. These companies are working to improve the capabilities of their AI hosts and to integrate them with existing restaurant systems.
Conclusion
AI restaurant hosts are a growing trend in the hospitality industry, and have the potential to revolutionize the way restaurants manage customer calls. While there are challenges to consider, many restaurant owners are finding that AI voice hosts can be a valuable asset in managing customer calls and improving the overall customer experience.