In today’s highly competitive restaurant industry, every missed call and every slow response can translate into lost revenue and dissatisfied customers. According to the National Restaurant Association, U.S. restaurants are projected to reach nearly $997 billion in sales in 2023, yet up to 20% of that revenue can be lost due to inadequate call handling and missed orders during peak hours.[^1]
With labor shortages making it increasingly difficult to staff phone lines, restaurant owners are searching for ways to maintain a high level of customer service without burdening their front-of-house staff. Enter the AI phone assistant—a revolutionary solution that handles calls 24/7, eliminates hold times, and frees up your human staff to focus on in-person customer experiences.
Running a restaurant means juggling multiple priorities—taking customer orders, seating guests, cleaning tables, and more. Taking phone orders is often at the bottom of the priority list during rush hours. However, missing just one call per day can add up to a considerable loss in annual revenue.
• Lost Direct Revenue: Missed takeout or catering orders can have an immediate financial impact. Research shows that the average takeout order is around $33 per ticket.[^2] Missing one call daily could mean losing up to $12,000 per year.
• Reduced Customer Loyalty: According to a Harvard Business Review study, a poor customer experience can reduce brand loyalty by up to 74%. Many customers who cannot get through on the phone once will hesitate to call back.
• Negative Word-of-Mouth: Customers who struggle to reach you often vent their frustrations to friends or online review platforms, impacting future business.
An AI phone assistant—like the one offered by Loman.ai—is an automated voice system powered by advanced speech recognition and natural language processing (NLP). When a customer calls, the AI agent greets them, understands their request, and processes the order or routes the call to the correct department (like reservations, catering, or customer support).
1. 24/7 Availability: No more missing calls outside business hours.
2. Instant Response: Eliminate hold times that can frustrate customers.
3. Consistent Experience: Every caller gets the same quality of service, every time.
4. Seamless Integration: Integrate with your existing point-of-sale (POS) or reservation system.
By automating routine phone tasks, your staff can focus on what they do best—providing exceptional in-house dining experiences.
Labor is often the largest single expense for restaurants, accounting for up to 30%–35% of total operating costs, according to RestaurantOwner.com. When you delegate phone handling to an AI assistant, you significantly reduce the human hours required for call management.
• Reduced Staffing Needs: If your restaurant handles an average of 100 calls per day, that could easily require at least 1–2 part-time employees. With an AI phone agent, you can redeploy those hours elsewhere.
• Lower Turnover Costs: The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes the restaurant industry has one of the highest turnover rates in the U.S.—over 70% in some segments. Training new front-of-house staff to handle phones can cost up to $2,000 per employee, including recruitment and training expenses.[^3]
• Fewer Overtime Hours: Busy seasons often mean additional staffing or overtime costs. An AI solution scales automatically with call volume.
By implementing an AI phone assistant, restaurants can save anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000 annually on labor costs, depending on call volume and staffing levels.[^4]
Beyond saving on labor, an AI phone agent actively increases revenue by capturing more orders and upselling consistently.
1. No More Missed Calls: Studies suggest that up to 25% of customers don’t call back if their initial call goes unanswered.[^5] With an AI phone assistant, you ensure you never miss an incoming call—even during peak dining hours.
2. Upselling Consistency: Human staff can forget to suggest additional menu items during busy shifts. An AI agent never forgets, consistently offering appetizers, desserts, or specials.
3. Faster Table Turnover: Automated reservation systems and clear communication reduce wait times and confusion, increasing the number of dining parties you can serve daily.
Overall, restaurants can see a 5%–15% increase in top-line revenue with an AI phone assistant by capturing more orders, delivering better customer service, and driving repeat business.[^6]
1. $997 Billion Market: The National Restaurant Association projects U.S. restaurant sales could reach $997 billion in 2023.[^1]
2. $12,000 Lost Annually per Missed Daily Call: Missing one call per day can result in thousands of dollars of lost revenue annually.[^2]
3. 70%+ Restaurant Turnover Rate: High turnover equals high training costs that can be reduced by AI automation.[^3]
4. $15,000–$50,000 in Annual Labor Savings: AI phone agents reduce the need for full-time call staff.[^4]
5. 25% of Customers Won’t Call Back: Missed calls often lead to lost customers.[^5]
6. 5%–15% Increase in Sales: Automated upselling and consistent service can boost revenues significantly.[^6]
Wondering exactly how much your restaurant could save in labor costs and how much revenue you could recapture by implementing an AI phone assistant?
<iframe style="width: 100%;" height="800" src="https://loman.created.app" title="Restaurant Savings Calculator for Loman AI" frameBorder="0"></iframe>
Embed your ROI calculator here in your Webflow page. Be sure to include all relevant inputs—like average call volume, average order size, and current labor rates—to get a precise estimate of your ROI.
Case Studies: Restaurants Already Winning with AI
1. Quick-Serve Pizzeria Boosts Takeout Sales by 12%
A popular pizzeria in Chicago used to miss around 5 calls daily during the lunch rush. After implementing Loman.ai’s AI phone assistant, they reported:
• Zero missed calls during peak hours.
• A 12% lift in takeout sales, credited to AI-led upselling of side orders and desserts.
2. Fine-Dining Bistro Saves $40,000 on Labor
A busy bistro in New York struggled with high turnover among host staff. By offloading reservation calls to an AI agent:
• They cut 30 host hours per week.
• Saved over $40,000 annually in wages, benefits, and training.
Conclusion: Why Now Is the Time to Invest in an AI Phone Assistant
The restaurant industry is facing tighter margins and higher customer expectations than ever before. Automating your phone lines with an AI phone assistant is not just a “nice-to-have”—it’s a strategic necessity to stay competitive in a crowded market.
• Reduce labor expenses and combat staffing shortages.
• Never miss a call, ensuring you capture every possible revenue opportunity.
• Improve customer satisfaction through instant, consistent service.
• Scale easily with call volume—no more staffing headaches.
With undeniable ROI in both savings and revenue gains, there has never been a better time to explore an AI phone agent solution. Use our ROI Calculator to see what your restaurant could save, and take the first step toward modernizing your operations.
[^1]: National Restaurant Association. 2023 Restaurant Industry Factbook
[^2]: Restaurant Industry Trends – The Impact of Phone Orders
[^3]: Bureau of Labor Statistics – Employee Turnover by Industry
[^4]: Internal data from various AI phone assistant case studies across small and mid-sized restaurants (2022–2023).
[^5]: Harvard Business Review – The Value of Customer Experience
[^6]: Data aggregated from multiple restaurant pilot programs with AI phone technology, 2023.
Ready to streamline your phone operations?
Visit Loman.ai to learn more and start reclaiming your lost revenue today!
Enter your information in the form to receive a call from Loman and place an order like a customer would!
