Revamped AI System for Effortless Restaurant Phone Orders with Customization Options

AI startup Kea has joined forces with CBS NorthStar, a leader in restaurant technology solutions, to revolutionize the dining experience with cutting-edge voice AI technologies. Kea has introduced a groundbreaking service referred to as a “cashier in the cloud,” an AI-driven customer service representative proficient in managing customer interactions and orders via phone.

This innovative AI technology will seamlessly integrate into CBS NorthStar's Point of Sale (POS) systems, significantly enhancing restaurant operations. Jeremy Julian, CBS NorthStar’s Chief Revenue Officer, emphasized the transformative potential of voice AI, stating, “With decades of experience in pioneering restaurant technology solutions that optimize operations, we recognize the immense potential of voice AI to drive operational efficiency and enhance customer service. This partnership with Kea underscores our commitment to propel the restaurant industry forward into the era of AI.”

Utilizing AI-powered voice technologies, restaurants can automate customer order management, allowing staff to concentrate on cooking and other essential tasks. While notable chains like McDonald’s have recently scaled back on AI-driven voice ordering systems in their drive-thrus, CBS NorthStar is confident that the integration of Kea’s technology will provide restaurants with unparalleled flexibility to customize their systems according to their specific needs.

Kea’s sophisticated technology employs a blend of automated speech recognition and natural language understanding to accurately take customer orders and transmit them directly to the kitchen through the restaurant’s POS system. Importantly, human operators can still intervene as needed to ensure the success of each order.

Since its inception in 2017, Kea has successfully handled over 1 million calls for hundreds of restaurant clients. Thanks to its collaboration with CBS NorthStar, Kea’s advanced solutions will now be accessible to more than 10,000 restaurant operators. One notable early adopter, California Fish Grill—a popular seafood chain in the Greater Los Angeles area—has experienced the benefits of the integrated technology in recent months. Patrick Waiyawaytar, Vice President of Information Technology at California Fish Grill, remarked, “I can attest that these technologies are effective for our large-scale operations and will continue to help us grow.”

With a total funding of $29.6 million, Kea aims to streamline customer service through the power of conversational AI, having already digitized phone ordering for ten major restaurant chains. As the dining industry continues to evolve, partnerships like this one between Kea and CBS NorthStar are key to embracing innovative technology that enhances efficiency, elevates customer service, and supports business growth.