Kea’s AI-Powered Solution Tackles a Critical Pain Point for Restaurants
Kea, an innovative startup, is transforming how restaurants manage phone orders—a traditionally inefficient yet vital channel—by introducing AI-powered automation. The company recently announced a $10 million Series A funding round, led by Marbruck and supported by Streamlined Ventures, Xfund, Heartland Ventures, DEEPCORE, Barrel Ventures, and AVG Funds. Notable angel investors, including Lyft’s Raj Kapoor and Panera Bread founding team member Craig Flom, also participated.
Why Phone Orders Still Matter in the Digital Age
With restaurants chronically understaffed, dedicating personnel to answer phones is often impractical. As CEO Adam Ahmad highlights, this leads to frustrating customer experiences—like being placed on hold immediately. Yet, phone orders remain crucial, especially post-pandemic, where takeout and delivery dominate revenue streams.
“Paying hefty third-party platform fees isn’t sustainable,” Ahmad explains. “Kea’s AI acts as a ‘virtual cashier,’ handling routine orders and escalating complex requests to humans—saving time and boosting profitability.”
How Kea’s AI Stands Out
Unlike clunky automated systems from banks or customer service lines, Kea’s AI specializes in restaurant-specific interactions. By focusing on a “closed domain” (e.g., pizza orders with limited menu permutations), the technology delivers seamless, context-aware conversations.
Key Benefits:
- Labor Savings: Restaurants using Kea report saving 10+ hours weekly.
- Higher Order Values: Average order sizes increased by 23%.
- Scalability: Currently live in 250+ restaurants, including Papa John’s and Primanti Brothers, with plans to expand to 1,000 locations across 37 states in 2021.
A Hands-On Demo: How It Works
During a trial, TechCrunch tested Kea’s system by placing a pizza order. The process was intuitive:
- Provide basic details (e.g., delivery address).
- Specify order items (e.g., toppings, size).
- Optional human transfer—available at any point for personalized assistance.
The Bigger Picture: Supporting Restaurants Sustainably
As the New Yorker’s Helen Rosner aptly urged, “Pick up the damn phone” to support local eateries. Kea’s solution aligns with this ethos, empowering restaurants to reclaim control over orders while reducing reliance on costly third-party platforms.
With fresh funding and rapid adoption, Kea is poised to redefine an overlooked yet critical facet of the dining industry—one phone call at a time.
