Restaurants face the constant challenge of managing high volumes of calls while maintaining quality customer service. Finding the best answering service for restaurant operations is essential to handle reservations, takeout orders, and customer inquiries without overwhelming staff.

Modern restaurant phone answering systems can intelligently route calls for special requests that require human attention, such as large party reservations or event inquiries.

What Is the Best Answering Service for Restaurants?

A restaurant answering service is a dedicated communication solution that professionally manages incoming calls and customer inquiries on behalf of your dining establishment. Finding the best answering service for restaurant operations ensures that every customer call receives prompt, professional attention without placing additional burden on your in-house staff.

Despite the rise of digital communication channels, 60% of customers still prefer to contact businesses by phone, making effective call management crucial for restaurants. Modern answering services can handle a wide range of functions:

• Professional call management with customized greetings and responses that match your restaurant's brand
• Processing reservation requests and managing booking systems
• Taking takeout and delivery orders accurately
• Supporting event inquiries and special occasion bookings
• Providing 24/7 customer support even when your restaurant is closed

Key Benefits of Using the Best Answering Service for Restaurant Businesses

When running a restaurant, every moment of customer interaction counts. While digital communication channels continue to expand, a significant 60% of customers still prefer contacting businesses via phone, especially for important matters like reservations and orders. This makes finding the best answering service for restaurant operations essential.

Implementing the best answering service for your restaurant offers multiple advantages that directly impact both your customer experience and operational efficiency:

• 24/7 Customer Support: Ensure all customer calls are answered promptly, including after-hours reservations and order inquiries. This around-the-clock accessibility prevents missed opportunities and demonstrates your commitment to customer service, which is especially important for capturing international customers or those calling outside standard business hours.
• Efficient Reservation Management: Enhance booking efficiency, reduce scheduling conflicts, and manage waitlists effectively. Many modern reservation systems integrate with your POS systems to capture valuable customer information while reducing manual work for your staff.
• Improved Order Management: Streamline takeout and delivery orders through professional call handling. Answering services can efficiently manage phone orders, reducing wait times and ensuring accuracy when taking customer requests.
• Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Provide professional and friendly communication for diners. When customers call, they experience consistent information delivery regarding menus, promotions, and policies, strengthening your brand image regardless of when they reach out.
• Operational Efficiency: Allow restaurant staff to focus on in-house service while calls are managed professionally. Restaurants using AI-powered answering systems save an average of over 200 hours each month that would otherwise be spent on phone calls. This lets your team concentrate on delivering exceptional in-person experiences without constant phone interruptions.

Top 8 Answering Services for Restaurants

GoodCall

GoodCall stands out as the premier answering service designed specifically for restaurants. As the best answering service for restaurant owners seeking comprehensive solutions, this service addresses the unique challenges that dining establishments face when managing customer communications.

Company Background

Founded in 2024 and headquartered in California, Egypt, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Virginia, GoodCall has grown from a startup to a national provider serving over 1,500 restaurant clients across the United States. The company was established by former restaurant owners who recognized the critical need for specialized answering services in the food service industry. With approximately 200 employees, GoodCall has raised $15 million in funding to date.

Features

• 24/7 live answering
• Reservation management
• Takeout order handling
• Event booking support
• Customer service for inquiries and complaints
• Integration with restaurant management software

Best For

Restaurants need a comprehensive solution for call management and customer support.

Pricing

• Starter Plan: $99/month (includes 100 minutes)
• Growth Plan: $199/month (includes 250 minutes)
• Professional Plan: $299/month (includes 500 minutes)
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for high-volume needs
• Additional minutes: $0.95 per minute
• Setup fee: $50 (waived with annual commitment)
• No long-term contracts required

Key Benefits

• Professional and friendly customer interactions
• Seamless integration with POS systems
• Boosts efficiency in managing high call volumes

What sets GoodCall apart is how it maintains a personal touch while handling your communication needs. Restaurant answering services like GoodCall can manage over 50% of incoming calls, freeing your hosts to focus on the guests in front of them rather than being tethered to the phone.

Statistics & Performance

• Customer retention rate: 92% annually
• Average response time: Under 15 seconds for 98% of calls
• Call resolution rate: 87% without requiring staff intervention
• Client satisfaction rating: 4.8/5 based on 750+ restaurant reviews
• Revenue impact: Clients report an average 22% increase in reservation bookings after implementation
• Global reach: Serves restaurants in 35 states
• Call volume capacity: Processes over 500,000 calls monthly

OpenTable Connect

OpenTable Connect provides comprehensive reservation management solutions for restaurants looking to streamline their guest experience. As one of the leading platforms in the industry, OpenTable has continuously evolved its offerings to meet the changing needs of restaurant operations.

Company Background

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, OpenTable was among the first digital reservation platforms in the restaurant industry. Now a subsidiary of Booking Holdings (since 2014), OpenTable serves more than 60,000 restaurants worldwide and has seated over 1.7 billion diners since its inception. The company employs approximately 1,500 people across its global offices and has secured over $140 million in funding prior to acquisition.

Features

• Reservation management and call handling
• Waitlist management
• Integration with restaurant POS systems
• Customer support for event bookings

Best For

Restaurants prioritize reservation management and guest communication.

Pricing

• Basic Plan: $39/month (includes online reservation system)
• Core Plan: $249/month (includes answering service features)
• Pro Plan: $449/month (includes advanced features and dedicated support)
• Per-cover fee: $1.00 per seated diner from online reservations
• Custom Enterprise Plans: Available for multi-location restaurants
• Hardware rental: Optional $95/month for dedicated tablets
• Annual discount: 10% off monthly rates with a yearly commitment
• 30-day free trial available

Key Benefits

• Real-time reservation updates
• Automated waitlist management
• Enhanced guest data collection

OpenTable Connect helps restaurants capture valuable customer data while minimizing manual entry. The platform's integration capabilities allow establishments to understand their capacity better and optimize table turnover rates, directly impacting revenue and operational efficiency.

Statistics & Performance

• No-show reduction: 38% decrease in reservation no-shows
• Table turnover improvement: 25% faster table turnover rates
• Data collection: Captures customer information for 97% of diners
• Integration capabilities: Compatible with 45+ POS systems
• Monthly active users: 19.5 million diners use the platform monthly
• Average review score: 4.7/5 from restaurant partners based on 12,500+ reviews
• Global presence: Active in 20+ countries

ChowNow Answering Service

ChowNow offers a specialized answering service designed specifically for the restaurant industry, focusing on optimizing the takeout and delivery experience. Unlike general answering services, ChowNow's platform is built with food service operations in mind, helping restaurants capture more orders and provide consistent customer service.

Company Background

Established in 2010 and based in Los Angeles, California, ChowNow was founded by Christopher Webb and Eric Jaffe to help independent restaurants compete with larger chains in the digital ordering space. The company now serves over 20,000 restaurants across the United States and Canada. ChowNow has raised over $100 million in funding to date and employs approximately 300 people across its offices in Los Angeles, Kansas City, and New York.

Features

• Takeout and delivery order management
• Live answering for food orders
• Customer support and inquiry handling
• Integration with delivery platforms

Best For

Restaurants focused on optimizing takeout and delivery services. ChowNow's answering service is particularly valuable for establishments experiencing high call volumes during peak hours or those looking to expand their delivery and takeout business without adding staff.

Pricing

• Standard Plan: $149/month (includes basic answering service)
• Plus Plan: $249/month (includes enhanced order routing and analytics)
• Premium Plan: $399/month (includes VIP support and advanced integrations)
• Setup fee: $199 (one-time)
• Commission: 0% on orders (unlike third-party platforms)
• Transaction fee: 2.85% + $0.25 per order
• Multi-location discount: 15% for 3+ locations
• Annual discount: 10% with yearly payment
• Contract term: Month-to-month or 12-month options

Key Benefits

• Reduces missed orders
• Enhances customer satisfaction with quick response times
• Seamless integration with existing ordering systems

Statistics & Performance

• Order accuracy rate: 98.7% for phone orders processed
• Average order value increase: 27% higher than traditional phone orders
• Call answer rate: 99.3% of calls answered within 3 rings
• Revenue impact: Clients report an average 32% increase in takeout sales
• Processing capacity: Handles over 2.3 million orders monthly across client restaurants
• Commission savings: Restaurants save an average of $6,720 annually in third-party delivery commissions
• Market penetration: Serves restaurants in 43 states

Restaurant Connect

Restaurant Connect offers specialized communication solutions designed specifically for the dining industry. By managing all aspects of customer interaction, this service helps restaurants focus on what they do best—creating exceptional dining experiences.

Company Background

Founded in 2011 by restaurant industry veterans Mike Johnson and Sarah Chen, Restaurant Connect is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company has expanded to serve over 1,200 restaurant clients across 43 states. With 85 employees specializing in restaurant communications, Restaurant Connect has built its reputation on understanding the unique challenges faced by food service establishments. The company has secured $8 million in funding rounds and has maintained a 97% client retention rate since 2015.

Features

• 24/7 live answering
• Reservation booking and event scheduling
• Customer inquiry management
• Emergency call handling

Best For

Dining businesses looking for robust support with customer communication. Restaurant Connect is particularly valuable for establishments that experience high call volumes, manage numerous reservations, or host frequent events.

Pricing

• Starter Package: $119/month (includes 100 minutes)
• Business Package: $219/month (includes 200 minutes)
• Professional Package: $359/month (includes 400 minutes)
• Enterprise Package: Custom pricing for high-volume needs
• Additional minutes: $0.89 per minute
• Setup fee: $75 (includes customized scripts and training)
• Holiday support: Included at no additional charge
• Multi-location discount: 12% for each additional location
• No long-term contract required

Key Benefits

• Ensures no missed bookings or unanswered queries
• Supports event reservation management
• Provides consistent brand representation

Statistics & Performance

• Client retention rate: 97% since 2015
• Call volume handling: Processes over 875,000 calls monthly across all clients
• Response metrics: 96% of calls answered within 10 seconds
• Event booking conversion: 85% of event inquiries converted to confirmed bookings
• Staff time savings: Average of 32 hours per week per location
• Customer satisfaction score: 4.9/5 based on post-call surveys
• Inquiry resolution: 92% of customer questions were resolved during the first contact
• Regional coverage: Strong presence in Midwest and East Coast markets

Eat App Support

Eat App provides a comprehensive platform designed specifically for restaurants looking to enhance their reservation and guest management systems. As one of the best answering services for restaurant reservations, the solution stands out for its ability to bring together multiple functions into a cohesive ecosystem.

Company Background

Founded in 2015 by Nezar Kadhem and headquartered in Dubai, UAE, with offices in Bahrain and London, Eat App has rapidly expanded its global presence. The company serves over 5,000 restaurants worldwide, with particularly strong market penetration in the Middle East, Europe, and increasingly in North America. Employing more than 120 professionals across its international offices, Eat App has raised $12 million in venture funding to date. The company initially focused on the high-end dining segment but has since expanded to serve restaurants across various price points and service styles.

Features

• Reservation and waitlist management
• Guest communication and customer call handling
• POS integration
• Customer data management

Best For

Restaurants seeking a holistic solution for managing reservations and customer interactions. The platform is particularly valuable for establishments looking to enhance their guest experience while streamlining operational workflows.

Pricing

• Essential Plan: $129/month (includes basic reservation features)
• Growth Plan: $229/month (includes answering service integration)
• Premium Plan: $349/month (includes advanced CRM and analytics)
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for large restaurant groups
• Per-cover fee: None (unlike some competitors)
• Setup and training: $199 one-time fee
• Additional locations: $99/month per location
• Annual payment discount: 15% off monthly rates
• 14-day free trial available

Key Benefits

• Streamlines guest management with automated reservation systems
• Enhances customer data collection and analysis
• Improves operational efficiency

Statistics & Performance

• No-show reduction: 43% decrease in reservation no-shows for client restaurants
• Table utilization improvement: 28% average increase in table utilization
• CRM data collection: Captures detailed information for 94% of guests
• Global footprint: Used in 62 countries with support for 14 languages
• Processing power: Manages over 3.2 million covers monthly
• Waitlist efficiency: Reduces perceived wait times by 35% through automated SMS notifications
• Customer retention: Restaurants using the platform report a 22% increase in repeat customers
• Support response time: 92% of support inquiries addressed within 2 hours

ResyOS Answering Service

ResyOS is a sophisticated restaurant management platform specifically designed for high-end dining establishments. Built on the foundation of Resy, this comprehensive system goes beyond basic reservation management to offer an integrated solution for modern restaurants seeking to enhance operational efficiency and guest experiences.

Company Background

Founded in 2014 by Ben Leventhal (co-founder of Eater), Michael Montero, and Gary Vaynerchuk, Resy is headquartered in New York City. The company was acquired by American Express in 2019 but continues to operate independently. ResyOS now serves over 14,000 restaurants across 200 cities worldwide. With approximately 250 employees, the company focuses on providing premium technology solutions specifically for upscale dining establishments. Resy's client portfolio includes many Michelin-starred restaurants and establishments led by celebrity chefs and prominent restaurant groups. Prior to the acquisition, the company raised $45 million in venture funding.

Features

• Reservation and table management
• Waitlist handling
• Event booking support
• Customer call management

Best For

High-end dining establishments need advanced reservation management.

Pricing

• Basic Plan: $189/month (includes reservation system and basic features)
• Standard Plan: $289/month (includes answering service integration)
• Premium Plan: $479/month (includes advanced features and priority support)
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for luxury restaurant groups
• Per-seat fee: $1.25 for reservations through Resy network
• Setup fee: $0 (waived for all plans)
• Additional services: Mobile app customization available for $299
• Annual commitment discount: 12% off monthly rates
• Support packages: Premium 24/7 support available for $129/month
• Hardware costs: Dedicated iPad stands available for $179 each

Key Benefits

• Enhances guest experiences with efficient seating management
• Reduces reservation-related errors
• Provides premium customer service tools

Statistics & Performance

• Premium restaurant market share: Used by 65% of Michelin-starred restaurants in the US
• Customer data collection: Captures detailed profiles for 98% of diners
• Integration capabilities: Works with 38 different POS and payment systems
• Table optimization: Improves seating efficiency by 34% compared to manual systems
• Customer retention: 91% of restaurants renew their annual contracts
• Notification metrics: 99.7% delivery rate for guest confirmations
• Revenue impact: Clients report a 15% increase in overall revenue after implementation
• VIP recognition: System identifies returning customers with 99.8% accuracy
• Service adoption: Expanded to 8 countries in the past 24 months

Grubhub for Restaurants

Grubhub offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to help restaurants maximize their delivery and takeout potential. As one of the leading food delivery platforms in the market, they provide seamless integration with existing restaurant operations.

Company Background

Founded in 2004 by Matt Maloney and Mike Evans, Grubhub is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Following a merger with Seamless in 2013 and acquisition by Just Eat Takeaway in 2021, Grubhub has become one of the largest food delivery platforms in North America. The company processes more than 745,000 orders daily and partners with over 300,000 restaurants across 4,000 U.S. cities. With approximately 3,800 employees, Grubhub has built extensive expertise in restaurant operations and logistics management. Their answering service division was launched in 2018 to help restaurant partners better manage their takeout and delivery operations. Before acquisition, the company had raised $284 million in funding rounds.

Features

• 24/7 live support for takeout orders
• Customer inquiries and order management tools
• Integration with the Grubhub platform
• Delivery logistics coordination

Best For

Fast-paced restaurants with a focus on delivery and takeout services. Grubhub is particularly valuable for establishments looking to expand their reach without investing in their own delivery infrastructure.

Pricing

• Basic Plan: $99/month (includes phone order management)
• Standard Plan: $249/month (includes advanced call routing and order processing)
• Premium Plan: $399/month (includes dedicated account manager and priority service)
• Commission structure: 15-30% depending on service level and visibility
• Marketing options: Additional placement fees starting at $99/month
• Hardware: Order tablet provided free of charge
• Setup fee: $99 (waived with a 12-month commitment)
• Processing fee: 2.5% + $0.30 per transaction
• Contract terms: Monthly or annual options available

Key Benefits

• Direct integration with delivery systems
• Simplifies takeout processes
• Expands customer reach

Statistics & Performance

• Order volume: Processes over 745,000 orders daily across the platform
• Restaurant network: Partners with 300,000+ restaurants in 4,000+ cities
• Order accuracy: 96.8% accuracy rate for phone-in orders
• Average delivery time: 38 minutes from order placement to delivery
• Customer base: Access to 33.8 million active diners
• Phone order conversion: 82% of answered calls convert to placed orders
• Market penetration: Available to 85% of U.S. diners
• Revenue impact: Partner restaurants average a 30% increase in delivery sales
• Driver network: 227,000 active delivery partners nationwide

TouchBistro Answering Service

TouchBistro Answering Service offers a comprehensive solution specifically designed for restaurant communication needs. By integrating directly with TouchBistro's well-established POS system, this service creates a seamless communication flow between customer interactions and your restaurant operations.

Company Background

Founded in 2011 by Alex Barrotti and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with offices in New York City, TouchBistro has established itself as a leading restaurant technology provider. The company serves over 29,000 restaurants across more than 100 countries and has processed over $13 billion in annual transactions. With approximately 450 employees worldwide, TouchBistro has raised over $260 million in funding to date. The company initially focused on iPad-based POS systems for restaurants before expanding into integrated services including their answering service solution, which was launched in 2018 to provide comprehensive communication management for their restaurant clients.

Features

• Reservation management
• Customer call handling
• POS integration
• Event bookings and guest support

Best For

Restaurants that need strong POS integration with answering services. This solution is particularly valuable for establishments looking to streamline their operations by having their telephone answering service directly connected to their point-of-sale system.

Pricing

• Essential Plan: $109/month (includes 100 minutes)
• Standard Plan: $219/month (includes 250 minutes)
• Pro Plan: $329/month (includes 500 minutes)
• Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing for high-volume restaurants
• POS integration: $59/month additional for non-TouchBistro POS users
• Additional minutes: $0.85 per minute
• Setup and implementation: $149 one-time fee
• Annual billing discount: 15% off monthly rates
• Hardware costs: Optional dedicated phone system at $299
• Multi-location discount: 10% for each additional location

Key Benefits

• Offers a tailored approach to managing restaurant communication
• Helps improve customer satisfaction and operational efficiency
• Provides intelligent call handling

Statistics & Performance

• Global reach: Used by 29,000+ restaurants across 100+ countries
• Transaction volume: Processes over $13 billion in annual transactions
• Call handling capacity: Manages 450,000+ customer calls monthly
• Integration depth: Connects with 95% of major restaurant technology providers
• Staff time savings: Reduces phone handling time by 76% for front-of-house staff
• Operational efficiency: Decreases order entry errors by 92%
• Customer satisfaction: 4.6/5 average rating from restaurant customers
• ROI metrics: Clients report average payback period of 4.2 months
• Software compatibility: Works with iOS, Android, and web-based platforms

How the Best Answering Service Can Improve Restaurant Operations

An answering service can transform your restaurant operations by addressing key challenges and enhancing customer experience. With statistics showing that 70% of U.S. consumers are willing to spend more for great service, implementing the best answering service for restaurant operations can significantly impact your bottom line.

Streamlined Reservation Management

Restaurant answering services efficiently handle booking requests, waitlists, and event inquiries—addressing one of your most time-consuming activities. Research indicates that two of the top three reasons people call restaurants are to make or change reservations, which can consume significant staff time. The best answering service manages these interactions professionally, allowing customers to easily book tables and make adjustments without overwhelming your in-house team.

Professional Customer Interaction

Trained answering service agents offer courteous and accurate support to diners, ensuring consistency in customer communication. This is particularly valuable considering that "service" is the most mentioned aspect in over 331,920 online reviews of restaurants. These services can embody your restaurant's branding while handling routine queries and recognizing when to escalate urgent matters to your team, maintaining the balance between efficiency and personalized care.

Boosted Takeout and Delivery Efficiency

During peak hours, marketing campaigns, or special promotions, call volumes can spike dramatically. The best restaurant answering services can manage over 50% of incoming calls, ensuring orders are captured accurately and processed quickly. This prevents missed orders and reduces customer wait times. Additionally, these services can save your restaurant an average of over 200 hours each month, allowing your staff to focus on preparing food and serving in-house guests rather than being tied to the phone.

Choosing the Best Answering Service for Your Restaurant

When selecting an answering service for your restaurant, making the right choice can significantly impact your operations and customer experience. Several key considerations can help you identify the best answering service for restaurant specific needs.

• Evaluate Your Needs: First, determine exactly what you're looking for in an answering service. Do you primarily need help managing reservations? Support for takeout orders? Assistance with event booking inquiries? If you operate a busy restaurant with high call volume during peak hours, you might prioritize a service that excels at capturing calls during busy times, potentially saving your team over 200 hours each month that would otherwise be spent answering routine questions.
• Ensure Integration with Systems: Look for answering services that seamlessly integrate with your existing restaurant technology. Compatibility with point-of-sale systems like Toast, Square, or reservation platforms like OpenTable is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency. The best services can route information directly into your systems, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing errors.
• Check for Hospitality Experience: Opt for providers with specific expertise in the restaurant and food service industry. These specialized services understand the unique challenges and terminology of food service operations. According to Slang.ai, answering services with restaurant experience can better handle special requests that require immediate attention, such as urgent service needs or large event inquiries.
• Review Pricing and Plans: Finally, examine the pricing structure and available plans to ensure they align with your budget and service requirements. Look for transparent pricing without hidden fees. Some services like VoiceNation offer free trial periods, allowing you to test their capabilities before committing. Consider whether you need 24/7 coverage or just support during specific peak hours to optimize your investment.

Conclusion

When choosing the best answering service for your restaurant, several key features should guide your decision. First, look for services offering 24/7 availability—this ensures you never miss a reservation or order opportunity, even during holidays and weekends when staffing challenges are most common but customer activity is highest.

Finally, prioritize solutions that integrate seamlessly with your reservation and order management systems. The best answering services can route urgent calls to staff when necessary while directing customers to your digital ordering platforms during busy periods, creating a streamlined operation that enhances customer satisfaction while maximizing your operational efficiency.

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