Creating an AI agent for restaurants

Introduction

First, write a new name for your bot. Also, note the Quick links at the top of the page if you would like to jump to a particular section right away.

Languages

1

Bookline bots are able to speak many different languages. Choose the bot's primary language by selecting an option below Language.

2

As you can see in the photo above there are many variants of Spanish (as well as other languages) available for use. Choose the variant that is most suitable for your restaurant location.

3

Under Voice, there is a drop-down to test various voices for your bot. Hit the blue play button on right to listen to your voice options.

4

You can add a second, third, fourth etc. language by clicking 'Add language'.

5

The 'Activate language detection' toggle allows your bot to change the language based on the caller's telephone number. For example, if the user has a +34 number, the bot will automatically communicate with the caller in Spanish.

Greeting

Your bot's greeting will be your guests' first point of contact, so it's important to make a good impression.

Tip: Keep it sweet and simple. Our team has studied millions of calls and observed that simpler greetings result in better interactions with clients.

1

Select a Greeting tone of voice for your restaurant assistant based on the type first impression you would like to make.

2

We have also included Suggested greeting templates for your convenience to help you get started if you are unsure on what to say.

3

You can further customize your greeting by adding variables such as USER_NAME, VENUE_NAME or GREETING.

Please refer to the table below for more information about variable use.

Variable	Definition
USER_NAME*	Client name
VENUE_NAME	Restaurant name
GREETING	Your bot will adjust the greeting to the current time of day. For ex. "Good morning" at 9am and "Good afternoon" at 3pm.

*Please note: USER_NAME works only when the customer’s information is on file from a previous reservation.

4

Click the language tabs at the top to view your greeting in multiple languages or press the Translate button.

5

If you’re still not sure what to write, your bot will use its default automatic greeting.

6

Test your Greeting preview by hitting the blue play button. This is how your customers will experience the greeting when they call your restaurant.

Reservation Policy

Your reservation policy determines the max number of guests your bot can book before transferring the call to a live agent for group reservations.

If the request exceeds your reservation policy, you have two options:

1. Transfer the call to a Default phone (usually your restaurant main line or host stand)

1. Transfer to a Special number (this can be a dedicated line for large or group bookings)

Additional features:

The following features are only available by making a request to our support team.

Activate transfer to a special number and outside business hours the bot jumps

If a customer calls when the restaurant is closed, the bot can gather information about the group booking request and send it via Whatsapp or email.

Group requests activated

The bot can be configured to ask specific questions regarding group bookings.

Proposal Policy

When a guest requests an unavailable date or time, your restaurant’s proposal policy guides the bot to offer alternative suggestions.

You can choose which options to display first by dragging and dropping them into your preferred order.

Cross-selling

This feature offers clients alternative booking times and dates at pre-selected restaurants if their originally requested time is unavailable.

1

To activate this feature you can view our documentation here or contact customer support directly.

2

Once activated, choose a Bot Group from the drop-down menu.

3

Choose the alternative bots you would like to offer customers.

Time Policy

Your restaurant’s Time Policy informs guests how long their table will be held after the reservation time has passed, as well as the allotted dining duration.

Time for Reservation Guarantee

Set how long a table will be held for a guest after their reservation time has passed.

Table availability time (min)

Choose how much time a guest has at their table.

Group and Event Bookings

You can opt-in to receive notifications for Group and Event bookings by contacting our support team.

Group Bookings

The assistant will gather the data from the group booking request and send it to the restaurant via WhatsApp or email. The form questions can be customized according to your needs.

Event Bookings

The assistant will gather the data from the event booking request and send it to the restaurant via WhatsApp or email. The form questions can be customized according to your needs.

Transfer

This is the primary line that the bot will transfer a customer to when they want to speak with a live agent.

You can set a schedule (ex. restaurant opening hours) during which the transfer line will be active.

Special Transfer

If your restaurant has dedicated lines for deliveries or events, you can create transfer lines to direct guest inquiries.

Likewise to your default line, you can schedule when these lines are active.