Best Order-Taking AI Agents for Restaurants (2026 Guide)

Running a restaurant in 2026 is no longer just about great food; it’s about speed, precision, and meeting customers exactly where they are. If you’ve ever lost a sale because a phone line was busy or a DM went unanswered for an hour, you already know the problem. The solution isn't hiring more staff you can't find—it's deploying order-taking AI agents. These digital assistants never sleep, never get tired, and never forget to upsell a drink.

In this guide, we’ll break down the top AI solutions revolutionizing hospitality this year. Whether you need a voice bot for your drive-thru or a smart chatbot for social media, we’ve got you covered. Speaking of social media, if you want to start automating orders immediately without a heavy tech overhaul, check out our free Instagram DM automation tool. It’s the easiest way to turn casual scrollers into paying customers right now.

Categories of Order-Taking AI Agents

Not all AI agents are created equal. In 2026, the market has segmented into three distinct categories, each solving a specific operational bottleneck.

Voice-Based Drive-Thru Bots

Drive-thru efficiency is the holy grail for QSRs. Voice AI drive-thru systems use advanced natural language processing (NLP) to understand complex orders, including accents and background noise. Unlike the clunky systems of the early 2020s, today's agents can handle "Can I get a burger with no pickles, actually make that extra pickles?" without breaking a sweat. They integrate directly with your Kitchen Display System (KDS), firing orders to the line instantly.

Chatbot and Messaging Bots

This category has seen explosive growth. Customers in 2026 prefer messaging over calling. Chatbot order systems live on platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and your website. They guide users through a visual menu, handle modifications, and process payments within the chat. This is where tools like ButterScotch AI shine, turning social conversations into revenue. For restaurants using ghost kitchens, this is critical. You can learn more about optimizing this setup in our guide on Best Practices for Ghost Kitchens using Instagram Automation.

Kiosks and Voice Assistants

Self-service kiosks have evolved from silent touchscreens to interactive restaurant AI assistants. These kiosks now feature voice activation, allowing customers to speak their order rather than tapping through endless sub-menus. They often serve as a "digital waiter," suggesting pairings and remembering repeat customers' favorites to increase ticket size.

Top AI Order-Taking Vendors

With so many options, it’s hard to know who to trust. Here are three of the leading vendors dominating the market in 2026.

SoundHound AI – Overview and Features

SoundHound continues to be a titan in the voice AI drive-thru space. Their "Dynamic Interaction" technology allows for real-time, conversational ordering that feels incredibly human. They are a top choice for enterprise chains looking for robust API integrations and multilingual support. Their system doesn't just take orders; it learns menu items dynamically, meaning you don't have to retrain the bot every time you add a seasonal special.

ConverseNow – Overview

ConverseNow specializes in AI order-taking bots for both phone and drive-thru channels. Their virtual assistants, often named "George" or "Becky," are designed to sound indistinguishable from human staff. They excel at upselling—consistently asking "Would you like fries with that?" on every single call, a consistency human staff often struggle to maintain during rush hour. This can significantly boost average check size.

Kea.ai – Overview

For pizza chains and restaurants with high phone volume, Kea.ai is a powerhouse. It focuses specifically on phone order automation, triangulating the best time to upsell and when to hand off to a human if the conversation gets too complex. It’s a "human-in-the-loop" system, ensuring that while the AI handles 90% of the work, a human agent can step in remotely if the bot gets stuck, ensuring zero lost orders.

How to Choose the Right AI Agent

Selecting the right automated ordering agents depends on your specific pain points. Are you drowning in missed phone calls, or are you losing DM orders?

Integration & Ease of Use

Your AI agent must "talk" to your existing tech stack. If it doesn't sync with your POS, you're just creating more work. Look for solutions that offer seamless integration. For example, if you are using social automation, you might wonder How to Sync Instagram DMs with Your Kitchen POS. The best tools, like our automated Instagram DM tool, are designed to bridge the gap between marketing and operations without requiring a degree in computer science.

Cost & Support

Cost structures vary wildly. Some vendors charge a flat monthly fee, while others take a percentage of every order processed. For smaller establishments, starting with a low-risk, high-reward channel like DM automation is often the smartest move. You can implement strategies like The "Free Appetizer" Funnel to test the waters before investing in expensive drive-thru hardware. Also, consider the support level—24/7 support is non-negotiable when your technology is customer-facing.

Pro Tip: Don't just automate order taking; automate the upsell. Read our guide on Burger Joint Automation: Upselling Sides & Drinks in DMs to see how simple script tweaks can increase revenue by 15-20%.

Industry Data & Trends

The shift towards automation is backed by hard data. According to the National Restaurant Association's 2025 State of the Industry report, 74% of operators report that technology is being used to augment labor rather than replace it, helping to fill the gap during staffing shortages. Furthermore, a Deloitte Future of Restaurants report highlights that 60% of restaurant executives cite "enhancing customer experience" as their primary goal for AI investment, proving that restaurant technology 2026 is about service quality, not just cost-cutting.

For a deeper dive into setting up these systems, check out our Instagram Chatbot for Restaurants: The 2026 Setup Guide and our review of The 7 Best Instagram DM Automation Tools.

Conclusion

The era of order-taking AI agents is here, and it's reshaping the hospitality landscape. By adopting these tools, you aren't replacing the human touch; you are freeing your humans to do what they do best—hospitality—while the bots handle the transactional busywork. Whether you choose a voice bot for your phones or a DM automation tool for your social media, the key is to start now.

Ready to take the first step? Try our Instagram automation solution today and watch your order volume grow while your stress levels drop.