Never 86 a Favorite Again, Serve Every Guest with Confidence

Nothing tanks the mood in a restaurant faster than telling a hungry guest, “Sorry, we’ve 86’d your favorite dish.” Whether it’s your signature salmon special or that popular seasonal dessert, stockouts can derail even the smoothest service. They don’t just cost you a single sale; they chip away at guest trust, online reviews, and long-term loyalty.

If you’re running a busy restaurant, you already know the stakes. Every order that comes in, every item that gets prepped, and every menu update needs to be in perfect sync. And yet, most restaurants still rely on manual processes that make it all too easy for mistakes to slip through.

Today, there’s a smarter way to keep your kitchen stocked and your guests satisfied. Takeorder AI combines real-time inventory awareness with human-like voice ordering to help you prevent stockouts before they happen and keep guests delighted every time they call.

The True Cost of 86ing a Menu Item

Stockouts, often called “86s,” don’t just inconvenience your diners. They can quietly drain revenue, demoralize staff, and harm your reputation.

Consider these hidden costs:

• Lost Revenue: When a popular dish is unavailable, you’re not only losing the sale of that item, but you’re potentially losing appetizers, drinks, and desserts that would have come with it.
  
• Negative Guest Experience: A guest who hears “we’re out” feels disappointed. When it happens repeatedly, it can damage your credibility and lead to negative reviews.
  
• Operational Chaos: Staff members have to relay information about shortages over and over, often while juggling other tasks. This constant back-and-forth slows service and increases the chance of more errors.
  

A Harvard Business Review study found that stockouts can reduce sales by up to 10% per shift, a massive impact in today’s tight-margin restaurant world.

Why Traditional Inventory Systems Fall Short

Many restaurants still rely on outdated or manual inventory practices:

• Spreadsheets are updated once a day
  
• Handwritten 86 lists taped to kitchen doors
  
• Verbal updates passed from cooks to servers to hosts
  

These methods simply can’t keep up with modern ordering channels, especially when you have phone orders, online orders, delivery apps, and in-house diners all competing for inventory in real-time.

And when your ordering system isn’t connected to your inventory? That’s when guests hear, “I’m sorry, we’re out of that,” after they’ve already placed their order.

The Takeorder AI Advantage: Real-Time Menu Awareness

Takeorder AI solves this problem by seamlessly integrating with your existing point-of-sale and inventory systems. The result? Every time a guest calls, your voice assistant knows exactly what’s available, right down to the last portion.

Here’s how it works:

• Automatic Menu Updates: As soon as an item runs low or is sold out, Takeorder AI updates your voice ordering script in real-time.
  
• Dynamic Call Handling: Instead of just saying “We’re out,” Takeorder AI can recommend popular alternatives, keeping the order (and revenue) on track.
  
• Zero Manual Input Required: Your staff doesn’t have to pause service to relay shortages to your phone system or update a list.
  

This means guests never have to second-guess whether the menu is accurate. They get the right information every time they call.

Learn more about Takeorder AI, the intelligent voice assistant designed for modern restaurants.

Integrated Inventory Insights: Always in Sync

Takeorder AI doesn’t just read inventory data; it helps you manage it proactively. By integrating with your kitchen display and POS systems, it tracks:

• Real-Time Portion Counts: No more guesswork about how many plates of your special are left.
  
• Depletion Tracking: As orders come in, your system automatically subtracts quantities.
  
• Prep Levels: Visibility into what’s ready to serve and what’s still in prep, so you can set accurate expectations.
  

This level of precision ensures that the moment an item hits zero, it’s marked unavailable across every channel. You’ll never oversell a dish or have to call a guest back to break the bad news.

Voice AI That Guides Guests, Not Just Records Orders

What makes Takeorder AI different is its natural, conversational approach to ordering. When an item is sold out, the voice assistant doesn’t simply stop the order. It suggests appealing alternatives and helps guests make the next best choice.

Example conversation:

Guest: I’d like to order the chicken tikka masala.

Takeorder AI: I’m so sorry, we’ve sold out of the chicken tikka masala for today. May I recommend our butter chicken instead? It has similar spices and comes with basmati rice.

This friendly guidance keeps the experience positive and makes guests feel taken care of, not brushed off.

Explore our detailed solutions to see how Takeorder AI can elevate your service.

Streamlining Operations Across Locations

If you operate multiple locations or ghost kitchens, the complexity of tracking inventory grows exponentially. One location might have plenty of an item, while another is running low.

Takeorder AI helps multi-unit operators by:

• Centralizing Menu Updates: Changes to availability automatically sync across all phone lines.
  
• Reducing “Phantom Availability”: Prevents one location from accidentally taking orders for items only stocked elsewhere.
  
• Maintaining Consistency: Guests experience the same level of service and accuracy no matter which branch they call.
  

This consistency isn’t just operationally efficient, it’s a powerful way to build brand trust.

The Impact on Guest Satisfaction and Revenue

Preventing stockouts has an immediate and lasting impact on your bottom line. When guests hear an accurate menu and get the dishes they want, they’re more likely to return and recommend your restaurant to others.

Key benefits of eliminating stockouts with Takeorder AI:

• Always-accurate menus, no matter how busy the shift
  
• More upsells by suggesting alternatives and complements.
  
• Fewer refunds and cancellations
  
• Higher guest satisfaction scores
  
• Positive online reviews that drive new business
  
• Less stress on your team
  

In a world where diners have countless options, ensuring that every interaction feels smooth and professional is critical to loyalty and growth.

Future-Proof Your Restaurant

The industry is evolving fast, and guests expect technology that feels seamless. With Takeorder AI, you’re not just preventing stockouts, you’re future-proofing your operations with a flexible solution that grows with your business.

Whether you’re expanding to new locations, introducing seasonal specials, or managing surges in demand, Takeorder AI keeps your menu accurate and your guests happy, every single day.

Conclusion: No More 86s

In the restaurant business, consistency is everything. Guests want to know that when they crave your signature dish, it will be there and that ordering it will be simple and frustration-free.

Takeorder AI empowers you to deliver that promise. No more crossed-out menus. No more hurried apologies. Just a steady, reliable service that helps your team shine and your guests come back for more.

Ready to say goodbye to 86s forever? Book your free demo today and discover how Takeorder AI can transform your restaurant.