The Hidden Costs of Manual Phone Orders: Why Restaurants Are Switching to a Restaurant Voice Bot

The Problem with Manual Phone Orders in Restaurants

Every restaurant relies on incoming phone orders for takeout and delivery, but handling these calls manually comes with hidden costs that many operators don’t fully account for. Staff members spend valuable time answering phones, often getting pulled away from in-person customers or food preparation. Long wait times and missed calls can frustrate customers, leading to lost revenue and negative reviews.

Restaurants that still manage phone orders manually may think they’re saving money by avoiding automation, but the reality is quite the opposite. With advancements in restaurant voice AI technology, restaurants are finding that automated voice ordering solutions not only reduce labor costs but also increase revenue by handling more orders efficiently.

In this article, we’ll break down the hidden costs of manual phone orders and explore why voice ordering for restaurants is the smarter, more profitable choice.

The True Cost of Manual Phone Orders

1. Labor Costs: Paying Employees to Answer Calls

When a staff member answers a phone order, they’re not helping dine-in customers, preparing food, or managing restaurant operations. Consider this:

• If an employee earning $15/hour spends 3 hours a day on the phone taking orders, that’s $1,350 per month in labor costs just for answering calls.

• During peak hours, pulling staff away from other duties to take phone orders can slow down service, increasing wait times for in-person customers.

• Restaurants with high call volumes often require a dedicated staff member just for handling phone orders, increasing payroll expenses.

2. Missed Calls and Lost Revenue

Studies show that up to 30% of calls to restaurants go unanswered during busy hours. If each missed call represents a potential $20 order, missing just 10 calls per day means losing $6,000 in revenue per month.

For restaurants that rely heavily on takeout and delivery, missing these orders means missing a huge opportunity for growth. With an AI-powered restaurant ordering bot, restaurants can eliminate this issue, ensuring every call is answered and every potential order is captured.

3. Order Errors and Customer Frustration

Manual phone orders introduce human error. Misheard orders, miswritten tickets, and miscommunications can lead to incorrect orders, refunds, and unhappy customers. A single order mistake can cost a restaurant an average of $5 to $10 per occurrence.

A voice AI for restaurants eliminates these issues by processing orders with high accuracy, confirming details, and even offering upsell suggestions automatically. By providing order confirmations via text or voice, customers can review their order before it is processed, ensuring a smooth experience.

4. Limited Ordering Hours

Restaurants that rely solely on human staff for phone orders are limited by their hours of operation. If a restaurant closes at 10 PM, customers who want to place an order late at night or early in the morning are out of luck. Voice ordering for restaurants offers a 24/7 solution, allowing customers to place orders at any time, even outside of business hours. These orders can be scheduled for pickup or delivery when the restaurant reopens, creating an additional revenue stream.

How a Restaurant Voice Bot Can Solve These Problems

1. Automating Phone Orders with 24/7 Availability

Unlike human employees, a restaurant voice bot can take orders 24/7 without needing breaks. This means late-night customers, weekend rushes, and holiday demand are all handled without staffing concerns. Restaurants that offer 24-hour takeout service can significantly increase their revenue by capturing orders at all hours.

2. Reducing Labor Costs

By handling routine phone orders, voice AI allows restaurants to reallocate staff to higher-value tasks, improving efficiency and reducing payroll costs. Instead of paying employees to answer calls, restaurants can focus on improving the in-store experience and kitchen operations.

• Restaurants that save on labor costs can reinvest in food quality, customer service, and marketing efforts.

• With fewer employees required for order-taking, staff members can focus on food preparation, reducing wait times and improving overall service.

3. Increasing Revenue with Upselling

Unlike a distracted employee, an AI-powered voice ordering system never forgets to upsell. It can suggest add-ons like drinks, appetizers, or desserts, increasing the average order value.

For example, if just 20% of customers accept a $3 upsell on their order, a restaurant processing 100 takeout orders daily would see an additional $1,800 in revenue per month—all without extra labor costs.

4. Improving Customer Experience and Order Accuracy

Customers get frustrated when they’re put on hold or asked to repeat their order multiple times. Voice AI solutions ensure a smooth, frustration-free ordering experience by quickly processing orders, confirming details, and sending order confirmations via text.

• Restaurants that improve order accuracy reduce food waste and refunds, increasing overall profitability.

• Customers enjoy a seamless ordering experience, leading to higher satisfaction and repeat business.

The ROI of Implementing Voice AI in Restaurants

Let’s look at the numbers:

• Reduction in missed calls: A restaurant receiving 50 calls per day with a 30% call abandonment rate is missing 15 potential orders daily. A voice ordering bot ensures zero missed calls, capturing this lost revenue.

• Labor savings: A restaurant that spends $1,350 per month on labor for phone orders can redirect those wages toward better service and food quality.

• Increased order value: If upselling adds just $1.50 per order, a restaurant processing 2,000 orders per month gains an additional $3,000 in revenue.

When you add these factors together, the return on investment (ROI) of a voice AI for restaurants becomes undeniable.

Why Restaurants Are Making the Switch to Voice Ordering

More and more restaurants are realizing the benefits of voice AI technology. From fast-food chains to local pizzerias, voice ordering for restaurants is revolutionizing how takeout and delivery calls are handled. By reducing labor costs, increasing order accuracy, and ensuring every call is answered, voice AI is helping restaurants stay competitive in an increasingly digital world.

If you’re still relying on manual phone orders, it might be time to consider an AI-powered solution. Not only will you save time and money, but you’ll also provide a better experience for your customers.

Try HeyTARA and Automate Your Phone Orders Today

HeyTARA is designed to help restaurants streamline phone orders with AI-powered automation. Stop losing revenue to missed calls, high labor costs, and inefficient manual orders.

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