Stop Missing Customer Inquiries After the Kitchen Closes Our Custom AI Chatbot Keeps Your Service Running 24/7
Imagine handling table reservations, allergy questions, and menu tweaks at 2 AM without lifting a finger. We build chatbots that capture every lead, boost satisfaction, and eliminate those frustrating after-hours gaps in your restaurant's customer experience.
Join 150+ food service businesses with round-the-clock support that never misses a diner
The "After-Hours Black Hole" Problem
Late-Night Reservation Requests for Prime Brunch Slots Go Unanswered, Leading to Lost Covers
Customers Ghosted on Menu or Nut Allergy Questions During Off-Peak Hours, Risking Health Complaints
Peak-Hour Overload During Dinner Rush Leaves Online Inquiries for Table Availability Piling Up
Takeout Order Mix-Ups from Delayed Responses on Customizations Like Spice Levels or Dietary Subs
Missed Post-Dinner Feedback Opportunities on Dish Quality After Closing Time
Event Catering Leads for Weekend Corporate Buffets Lost in Staffing Gaps
Our Custom-Built AI Chatbot for Your Restaurant
We've powered support for over 150 food service spots, from bustling bistros to family-owned diners, turning chaotic inquiries into seamless service.
Why Choose Us
Let's be honest, running a restaurant means juggling flames in the kitchen and flames from frustrated customers online. You're probably thinking, 'Another chatbot? We've tried those cookie-cutter ones—they don't get our vibe.' Here's the thing: we don't do templates. At AIQ Labs, we craft your chatbot from the ground up, trained on your menu, your specials, even your secret sauce recipes (without spilling them). It lives on your website, socials, and even integrates with your POS system for real-time order checks. Short and sweet: it's always on, instantly helpful, and feels like an extension of your team—not a robot intruder.
What Makes Us Different:
Unlock Round-the-Clock Wins for Your Restaurant
Never Miss a Lead, Day or Night
Picture this: a hungry customer browsing your site at midnight, ready to book a table for tomorrow's brunch rush with a party of six. Our chatbot jumps in instantly, securing that reservation before they scroll to the competitor—complete with waitlist options and special requests. Restaurants see up to 40% more bookings from after-hours traffic, turning potential misses into packed tables, higher cover counts, and happier revenue streams during slow seasons.
Boost Customer Satisfaction Without Extra Staff
During your dinner slam, when phones are ringing off the hook and the line's out the door for your signature pasta, online queries don't pile up. The AI handles allergy checks for gluten-free options, menu tweaks like vegan swaps, or 'What's the wait for outdoor seating?' in seconds, reducing frustration and encouraging repeat visits. One diner chain reported a 25% jump in positive reviews after ditching those after-hours voids, with fewer no-shows from clarified info.
Streamline Operations and Cut Response Times
No more sifting through emails at 6 AM to catch up on yesterday's inquiries about takeout pickup times or wine pairings. Our custom bot automates routine tasks like confirming takeout orders with real-time kitchen availability, suggesting pairings for your steak specials, or even upselling desserts, freeing your team for what matters—crafting killer dishes and plating perfection. Efficiency skyrockets, with some spots slashing support time by 60% while capturing every opportunity for add-on sales.
What Clients Say
"Before this, we'd lose so many weekend catering leads for our family-style taco platters because no one was around to reply on Sundays. Now the chatbot handles initial quotes, checks inventory for guac add-ons, and we've booked three extra weddings this quarter with confirmed headcounts. It's like having a night manager who never sleeps and knows our menu inside out."
Maria Gonzalez
Owner, La Cocina Familiar Mexican Eatery
"Our allergy inquiries were a nightmare—customers waiting hours for answers on shellfish during lunch rushes when the kitchen's slammed. The AIQ bot checks our menu database in real-time, flags cross-contamination risks, and even suggests safe alternatives like our grilled veggie kebabs. Response times dropped from 45 minutes to under 10 seconds, and allergy-related complaints are way down by 70%."
Raj Patel
General Manager, Spice Route Indian Bistro
"We integrated it with our POS system, so now late-night online orders for our seafood specials confirm fresh stock availability instantly and suggest sides like truffle fries. Picked up 15% more takeout revenue last month without adding staff, especially on Fridays when demand spikes. Feels custom-built for our harbor-side flow, not some off-the-shelf gimmick."
Elena Vasquez
Operations Lead, Harbor Grill Seafood House
Simple 3-Step Process
Discovery and Customization
We dive into your restaurant's world—your menu, peak hours, common questions like 'Vegan options?'—to build a chatbot that fits like a glove. No generic scripts; it's tailored to your vibe and workflow from day one.
Integration and Training
We wire it into your systems, like your reservation app or POS, and train the AI on your data. Test runs ensure it handles real scenarios, from rush-hour chaos to quiet midnight musings, all while learning your unique lingo.
Launch and Optimization
Go live with 24/7 monitoring. We tweak based on live feedback, like refining responses to seasonal specials, so it evolves with your business and keeps delighting diners around the clock.
Why We're Different
What's Included
Common Questions
How does the chatbot handle complex questions like custom orders or allergies?
Great question—restaurants deal with this daily, and generic bots often fumble. Our custom AI is trained specifically on your menu, ingredients, and past orders. For instance, if someone asks about nut-free options for a kid's meal, it cross-references your database in seconds, suggests safe swaps like fruit instead of peanut butter, and even checks availability. If it's too nuanced, like a rare substitution, it flags it for your team with the full chat log. We've seen this cut allergy-related issues by 35% for clients, keeping diners safe and satisfied without overwhelming your staff during rushes. It's all about that tailored smarts, built for your kitchen's reality.
Can it integrate with our existing restaurant software?
Absolutely, and that's where we shine. No more data silos. We connect it directly to tools like Toast, Square, or OpenTable for live updates—think pulling real-time wait times or confirming takeout slots. During setup, we map your workflow: say, syncing reservations to avoid double-bookings. One cafe owner told us it eliminated 20 hours of manual cross-checking weekly. It's deep, two-way integration, not superficial links that break. You're getting a unified system that feels like an extension of your ops, custom-coded to handle food service quirks like variable inventory.
What if the chatbot can't resolve an issue—does it just frustrate customers?
Never. We design it with smart handoffs in mind. If a query gets tricky, like a large group booking during a busy event, the bot gathers details (party size, date preferences) and pings your on-duty manager via text or Slack with the context. No starting over. It even suggests next steps, like 'I'll connect you to Sarah, our events pro.' This keeps satisfaction high—our restaurant partners report 90% resolution rates on first contact, with escalations feeling natural, not abrupt. It's like having a vigilant host who knows when to call in the chef.
How much does a custom chatbot cost for a small restaurant?
Costs vary based on your needs, but let's break it down realistically. For a cozy spot with basic menu queries and reservations, we're looking at a one-time build fee around $8,000-$12,000, plus minimal ongoing hosting (under $200/month). That's versus hiring extra staff or losing leads. We start with a free consult to scope your setup—no pressure. A family diner we built for paid itself back in three months through extra bookings. It's an investment in owning your support system, not renting a generic one that doesn't fit your flow.
Is the chatbot available on mobile and social media?
Yes, and it's crucial for food service where customers browse on phones during commutes or scroll Instagram for lunch inspo. We deploy it across channels: your site, Facebook for event promos, even WhatsApp for quick takeout confirms. It maintains context—if someone starts on IG asking about vegan tacos, they can switch to your site and pick up seamlessly. This multi-touch approach captured 25% more mobile leads for a taco truck chain. Built custom, so it adapts to your social strategy without extra hassle.
How do we train it on our specific restaurant data?
Training is straightforward and collaborative. We start by ingesting your assets: digital menus, FAQs, past customer chats, even POS logs (anonymized, of course). Then, we fine-tune the AI over a quick workshop—maybe two sessions where you walk us through scenarios like handling peak-hour complaints. It learns your tone, like casual for a pub or polished for fine dining. Post-launch, it improves from real interactions, with you reviewing logs. A bistro we worked with had it nailing specials suggestions within a week, boosting upsells by 15%. It's your data, your rules—secure and owned.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your free consultation and discover how we can transform your business with AI.