The ROI of Deflecting Calls & Why Voice AI for Restaurants is Way to Go
- Patty Melt
- Sep 29
- 3 min read
Why Call Deflection Matters for Restaurants
Every missed call is a missed opportunity. In restaurants, the phone rings constantly with takeout orders, reservation requests, and customer questions. But when staff are busy serving guests or preparing food, calls often go unanswered.
Call deflection…the process of routing incoming calls to an automated, intelligent system—solves this problem. With Voice AI for restaurants, restaurants can capture revenue, reduce labor strain, and deliver better guest experiences.
The Hidden Cost of Missed Calls
Restaurants underestimate how much unanswered calls cost:
Lost Revenue – Studies show up to 30% of restaurant phone calls result in orders. A missed call can equal $20–$50 in lost sales.
Labor Inefficiency – Staff pulled from the line to answer phones lose focus on in-person guests.
Customer Frustration – Busy signals and voicemails push guests to competitors.
When you add it up, missed calls can easily cost thousands of dollars per month per location.
How Call Deflection Works with Voice AI
Instead of ringing endlessly, calls are seamlessly deflected to a Voice AI assistant that:
Answers immediately 24/7.
Takes orders accurately and integrates them into your POS.
Handles FAQs like hours, location, or menu availability.
Upsells automatically, suggesting sides, drinks, or promotions.
This ensures every call is answered while freeing staff to focus on guests in the restaurant.
Voice AI for Restaurants: The ROI Breakdown
The financial impact of call deflection with Voice AI comes from three main areas:
Revenue Capture
Example: If a restaurant misses 20 calls per day, and each averages $25, that’s $500 in lost revenue daily—or $15,000 monthly. Voice AI captures these orders.
Labor Savings
Voice AI reduces staff time spent answering repetitive calls. Instead of hiring an extra $15/hour employee, automation handles the load.
Upsell Growth
Voice AI consistently suggests add-ons—drinks, desserts, or family packs—that human staff may forget. Restaurants typically see a 10–20% increase in average ticket size.
Improved Guest Experience
Guests never wait on hold, ensuring loyalty and repeat business.
Together, these benefits generate a clear, measurable ROI that often pays for itself in weeks.
Case Example: The Numbers in Action
A mid-size restaurant averages 400 calls per week. Before Voice AI:
20% of calls (80 calls) went unanswered.
At $30 per order, that’s $2,400 lost weekly—$124,800 annually.
With Voice AI deflecting those calls:
$124K in revenue is captured.
Add a 15% upsell boost → $18,720 more revenue.
Plus, $15K saved annually in labor.
Total ROI: ~$158,000 per year, per location.
Why Restaurants Need to Act Now
Labor shortages, rising wages, and customer expectations aren’t going away. Competitors that embrace automation gain efficiency, profitability, and guest loyalty. The restaurants that adopt call deflection now will capture the revenue their peers are still losing.
Conclusion: Call Deflection Delivers ROI
The phone remains a critical channel for restaurants, but missed calls drain profits. Deflecting calls to Voice AI transforms phones from a liability into an ROI engine. By capturing revenue, reducing labor costs, and improving guest experience, Voice AI proves that call deflection is not just a cost saver—it’s a growth driver.
Ready to boost your ROI with Voice AI? Schedule a demo with HeyTARA
Frequently Asked Questions About Call Deflection ROI
What is call deflection in restaurants?
Call deflection is the process of automatically routing incoming phone calls to a Voice AI system that can handle orders, answer FAQs, and provide information without needing staff intervention.
How does call deflection save money?
By reducing the number of calls staff must answer, restaurants save on labor costs and avoid hiring extra employees just to manage phones.
Will customers trust an AI phone system?
Yes. Voice AI systems are designed to sound natural and professional. Guests experience faster service and fewer busy signals, which improves satisfaction.
Does call deflection increase revenue?
Absolutely. By capturing missed calls and offering consistent upsells, Voice AI ensures restaurants never lose an order and often see higher average ticket sizes.
How quickly can restaurants see ROI?
Most restaurants begin seeing a return on investment within weeks, as captured orders and reduced labor costs quickly outweigh the system’s expense.
What if customers want to speak to a real person?
Good Voice AI systems allow for call routing—meaning guests can still be transferred to staff when necessary, ensuring flexibility and personal touch.
