How long does it take to get an AI system live?

Typically 2–4 weeks from your first demo to going live, built around your existing tools — no migration required.

What happens if the AI can't answer a customer's question?

It's built to know its limits — if something needs a real person, it flags it and hands off to you instead of guessing.

Do I need to change my phone number or the tools I already use?

No. It's set up around what you already use — your existing phone number, calendar, and software — so there's nothing to migrate or relearn.

How much does it cost?

It depends on what you need — see the Pricing page for current tiers, or book a free demo and we'll go through what fits your business.

Does the AI take bookings over the phone, or just online?

Both. It answers calls directly during service, and can work through your website or booking widget too — the booking gets captured the same way either way.

What happens if a table cancels last minute?

The automatic reminder catches most cancellations early enough to try re-booking the table, instead of it just sitting empty for the night.

Does it handle function and event enquiries too?

Yes. It asks for the date, headcount, and budget upfront, then sends it to you as a briefed, ready-to-quote lead instead of a back-and-forth over messages.

Will it replace my front-of-house staff?

No — it's built to take the phone off their hands during service, not replace them. Anything that genuinely needs a person still gets routed to one.

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How Restaurants Are Using AI to Stop Losing Tables to No-Shows

Published 31 August 2026 · 4 min read

Every restaurant loses revenue two ways: the call that rings out during a busy service, and the table that gets held for someone who never turns up. Neither is a staffing problem — it's a timing problem. Here's how AI is closing both gaps.

The call you didn't answer went somewhere else

During a full dinner service, nobody's free to grab the phone — and a caller who doesn't get through usually doesn't call back. They book the place next door that did answer. That's a table lost before it was ever on the books.

24/7 AI reservation answering

An AI system answers every call, day or night — during a full service exactly the same as 3pm on a quiet Tuesday. It checks the time's actually free, takes the booking, and confirms it straight away, without pulling anyone off the floor.

Cutting no-shows with automatic reminders

A held table with no reminder is a coin flip. An automatic reminder goes out before every booking, with a one-tap way to confirm or cancel. If someone's not coming, you find out early enough to actually re-book the table — instead of writing it off for the night.

Function and event enquiries, qualified upfront

Group bookings usually mean chasing details over a few messages — date, headcount, budget, dietary needs. AI asks the right questions upfront and sends the enquiry through to you already qualified and ready to quote.

Freeing up the floor

Opening hours, dietary questions, parking, menu queries — these get answered automatically instead of pulling staff off tables to answer the phone. For venues that take phone orders, the same system captures the order accurately and confirms it back, even during a noisy rush.

Turning a good night into a review

After a booking, the customer gets an automatic prompt to leave a Google review while the visit's still fresh — no one on the floor has to remember to ask.

Is it worth it?

One re-booked no-show or one after-hours reservation that didn't slip through usually covers the monthly cost on its own. ARS plans for a system like this start at $150/month with a $990 one-off setup, with no per-call charge and no lock-in — and typically go live in 2–4 weeks.

See how it works for restaurants

A dedicated breakdown of reservation answering, no-show reminders, and function enquiries — built specifically for restaurants and cafes.

Restaurants & Cafes Book a free demo