If your restaurant or café still relies on a phone to take orders, chances are you're missing out on revenue without even realising it. In fact, one in three calls to hospitality venues go unanswered — and 70% of those are revenue-related. That’s money walking out the door.
In this article, we’ll break down the 5 most common mistakes venues make when it comes to phone orders — and how smart tools like Otto can help fix them.
It’s peak lunch. The line’s out the door. The kitchen’s slammed. And the phone rings… again.
When service is in full swing, it’s almost impossible for staff to juggle dine-in customers and phone calls. But every missed call is a missed opportunity especially when 70% of those calls are for takeaway, bookings or catering.
Fix it: Use an AI phone agent like Otto to handle orders, answer questions, and send details straight to the kitchen.
When staff are stressed or understaffed, phone calls become a distraction. Answering mid-shift can lead to rushed interactions, wrong orders, or poor service in-venue.
Fix it: Automate call handling so your team can stay focused on face-to-face service without interruptions.
How to handle restaurant calls after hours?
34% of restaurant calls happen outside of regular trading hours. That’s customers trying to place orders, check if you’re open, or confirm a booking — all while your venue is closed.
Fix it: Otto answers 24/7, even when you’re closed. It handles enquiries, bookings, and FAQs while you sleep.
A missed call is one thing — but no follow-up means a missed opportunity. Without a system to track or respond to unanswered calls, venues lose potential repeat business and loyalty.
Fix it: Otto flags every call and can send follow-up texts to customers with links, confirmations or messages.
Search intent: "Can restaurants take multiple calls at once?"
Most venues can only answer one call at a time — especially when the phone is just sitting on the counter. But what happens when three customers call at once?
Fix it: Otto can answer up to 10 calls at once. It never gives a busy signal and never puts callers on hold.
Otto is Australia’s first AI Phone Agent for hospitality. Built by the team behind HungryHungry and OrderMate, Otto handles calls, takes orders, confirms bookings, and sends messages to both customers and venues.
No missed calls. No lost revenue. No extra staff needed.
Q: How does Otto work with my kitchen?
A: Otto sends confirmed orders or messages to your kitchen printer — just like a normal docket.
Q: Can Otto take bookings?
A: Yes. Otto can make, change, or cancel bookings and even flag dietary needs.
Q: Does Otto work when we’re closed?
A: Absolutely. Otto is on 24/7, so you never miss a call.
Q: What’s the setup like?
A: Plug-and-play. No apps. No integrations. Your venue gets a printer and a dedicated number.
Ready to stop missing calls? Start using Otto.
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