Short answer: These 4 tools answer restaurant calls with AI and take phone orders, so staff can stay with the guests in front of them. Each one links to a real case study.
Last updated: · 4 tools · How we pick
About this list
When the lunch or dinner rush hits, the phone keeps ringing and staff can’t always get to it. The 4 tools on this list answer restaurant calls with AI and take phone orders, so fewer callers end up at voicemail.
Each one links to a real case study. Certus AI says a deli added $30K+ a month from calls that used to go unanswered. Maple says a Detroit pizzeria brought in $138,000 a year in phone orders. A Texas pizza shop owner says he would be losing over $200,000 a year without Loman. These numbers come from the tool makers’ own case studies, so treat them as the maker’s claim.
Will it work with your POS? Here is only what each source says. Certus sends orders to your POS and kitchen and lists Toast, Square, Clover, Skytab and Aloha NCR. The Maple pizzeria story says orders go into Toast or Clover, and the Maple bagel shop story says orders go into the shop’s Clover register. Loman’s setup asks you to share your menu and POS, but the source doesn’t list which ones.
Two listings use Maple, from two different case studies. Want the full story? Read about Baci Trattoria, East Norwich Bagels and Midland Pizza Co..
The tools
Answers every call, even when your whole team is busy. Takes the order from your menu. Sends the order to your POS and kitchen, like a counter order.
Restaurants; delisCheck siteEasy
Maple AI Phone Orders
~21 hrs/wkAnswers every call and takes the full order, toppings and all. Sends the order into Toast or Clover so it prints in the kitchen. Takes payment before pickup and answers 'what's the wait?'.
~21hrs/wk savedRestaurants; pizzeriasFrom $85/mo, billed yearlyEasy
Answers every call, even before you open. Takes phone orders so staff can stay with guests. Shows call volume so you can plan store hours.
Restaurants; pizzeriasCheck siteEasy
Maple
12 hrs/wkAnswers phone calls and takes pickup, delivery and call-ahead orders, then sends them into the shop's register (Clover).
12hrs/wk savedBagel shop$350/moEasy
Compare them side by side
| Tool | What it does | Who it’s for | Cost (from maker) | Setup | Time saved | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certus AI Restaurant Phone Orders | Answers every call, even when your whole team is busy. | Restaurants; delis | Check site (no price in the case study; the owner says there was no contract) | Easy | Maker hasn't shared this. Our estimate: ~1–3 hrs/wk | Source for Certus AI Restaurant Phone Orders |
| Maple AI Phone Orders | Answers every call and takes the full order, toppings and all. | Restaurants; pizzerias | Maple Voice $85/mo yearly ($150 monthly, answering and FAQs only); Maple Pro $220/mo yearly ($350 monthly, adds ordering). Check site | Easy | ~21 hrs/wk | Source for Maple AI Phone Orders |
| Loman AI Restaurant Phone Answering | Answers every call, even before you open. | Restaurants; pizzerias | Check site (the case study says the shop pays $300/month) | Easy | Maker hasn't shared this. Our estimate: ~1–3 hrs/wk | Source for Loman AI Restaurant Phone Answering |
| Maple | Answers phone calls and takes pickup, delivery and call-ahead orders, then sends them into the shop's register (Clover). | Bagel shop | Maple Pro $350/mo | Easy | 12 hrs/wk (maker's claim) | Source for Maple |
Costs and hours come from each tool’s own source. “Our estimate” is our guess from similar tools, not a measured number. The directory is free to search; prices come from each maker and change often.
Questions people ask
How do I use AI for a restaurant's phone orders?
Pick a tool, give it your menu and hours, connect it to your POS if it can, and forward your phone line to it. Then listen to the first calls and fix any menu mix-ups. The steps for each tool are on its own page.
How much does AI phone ordering cost?
Of the 4 tools here, 2 show a price and 2 don't show a clear price in our listing. See the Cost column for each one. Prices come from each maker and change often, so check the maker's site before you buy.
Does it work with Toast, Square or Clover?
Certus lists Toast, Square, Clover, Skytab and Aloha NCR. Maple's stories mention Toast and Clover. Loman's source doesn't list which POS systems it works with, so ask the maker.
How does BusyWorkBots pick these?
Every listing links to a real source, a case study, a builder's post, or the maker's page. Numbers from the company selling the tool are labeled as a maker or vendor claim. We don't test every tool.
