The Zenchef Call AI is an intelligent voice system that answers your restaurant’s incoming calls when your team cannot pick up.
It handles reservation requests, records them directly in your Zenchef booking list, and ensures callers always reach someone — even during busy service hours or outside opening times.
Table of Contents
Key Things to Know
How the Call AI Helps You
What the Call AI Does / Does Not Do yet
Setup and Customisation
FAQ
1.Key Things to Know
The Call AI answers calls automatically and takes reservations based on your Zenchef availability.
Each booking is added to your reservation list and automatically confirmed to the guest by SMS.
The assistant operates 24/7.
It helps reduce missed calls and frees staff during peak times.
The Call AI progressively improves based on the information you add in your back office.
While powerful, this feature still has clear limitations and is not a replacement for human judgment in complex cases.
2.How the Call AI Helps You
The Problem
Restaurants regularly miss calls during service, deliveries, preparation, or staff breaks.
The impact is well known:
lost reservations,
disruption to service flow,
negative customer perception (“no one answers”).
A missed call often means a missed cover and lost revenue.
The Solution
The Call AI:
answers incoming calls immediately,
processes reservation requests using your live Zenchef availability,
sends a confirmation SMS,
stores all interactions in your back office.
The Main Benefits
Continuous availability: callers always reach an assistant.
Reduced interruptions for staff during busy periods.
Higher chance of converting reservation attempts into confirmed covers.
Consistent and professional customer interaction.
Cost-effective when call volume is significant enough to justify automation.
3. What the Call AI Does / Does Not Do Yet
What the Call AI Does
| Capability | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Answers incoming calls automatically | The AI picks up first and can transfer to the restaurant if needed. | Minimises missed calls. |
| Takes reservations | Confirms date, time, and party size based on real-time Zenchef availability. | Streamlined booking flow. |
| Sends automatic SMS confirmations | Guests receive clear details of their reservation. | Reduced errors and misunderstandings. |
| Syncs with the Zenchef booking list | Bookings are added directly to the back office. | No double entry. |
| Provides call transcripts and summaries | All available in the Zencall space. | Easy follow-up and quality control. |
| Suggests alternative time slots | Offers nearby time slots or transfers the call. | Better conversion of booking attempts. |
| Transfers complex cases | Calls are transferred when the AI cannot address the request. | Smooth customer experience. |
| Operates 24/7 | Works outside business hours. | Continuous service. |
| Learns from your inputs | You can add responses to frequent questions. | Gradual improvement over time. |
What the Call AI Does Not Do (Yet)
| Limitation | Impact |
|---|---|
| Modify or cancel existing bookings | Call transferred to staff. |
| Add card hold or deposit to a reservation | Reservation is created with “To manage” status. |
| Handle experience-based bookings | AI cannot process availability for experiences. |
| Address guests by name | No caller identification. |
| Take takeaway/food orders | Call transferred to the restaurant. |
| Customise assistant voice | Only default voice available. |
| Manage Instagram/Facebook messages | Voice-only system; no text channel integration. |
| Continue working after minute-pack exhaustion | Assistant stops when quota is used. |
| Highlight recurring customer questions | Not yet available. |
4. Setup and Customisation
Activation
The Call AI is added to your Zenchef subscription as an optional service.
You receive a dedicated phone number once activated.
Call Forwarding Setup
You will be assisted by a Zenchef advisor for the setup , but for information, here are the setup steps:
Configure call forwarding with your telecom provider to the dedicated AI number.
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Choose the forwarding method:
immediate forwarding,
forwarding when busy,
forwarding after no answer.
Any time-based routing rules must also be managed directly with your provider.
Reservation Handling
The AI uses your Zenchef availability rules.
Bookings appear instantly in your reservation list. .
An automatic SMS is sent with the reservation details.
Call Analysis
The Zencall area provides:
full call transcripts,
a summarised version of each conversation.
(Accessible even if you do not use the Zencall product.)
Customisation
You can provide answers to frequent questions in your back office.
The AI immediately incorporates these into its behaviour.
You can also view unhandled questions to refine the assistant’s knowledge.
5 – FAQ
Can I limit the Call AI to specific hours?
Technically yes, but only through your telecom provider’s routing rules.
The Zenchef number itself is always active.
What happens if a requested time slot is full?
The Call AI suggests alternative options based on your availability or offers to transfer the call.
Can the Call AI modify or cancel bookings?
No. These requests are transferred to staff.
Does it handle experience-based bookings?
Not currently.
What happens when the minute pack runs out?
The assistant stops receiving calls until the quota is renewed.
Can I customise the voice?
Not at this stage.
Can the Call AI send booking confirmation by email instead of text ?
No, this is not possible yet.
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