CBS NorthStar Partners with kea to Digitally Transform Phone Ordering with Voice AI

In a strategic move to optimize restaurant operations with cutting-edge Voice AI technology, kea – the Cashier in the Cloud – has announced an alliance with CBS NorthStar, a leader in technology solutions for restaurant management. By pairing kea’s Voice AI with CBS NorthStar’s Point-of-Sale (POS) software, the companies aim to streamline restaurant operations and advance digital transformation to the phone channel.

Despite the proliferation of mobile ordering, many customers still prefer calling restaurants to place to-go orders. Since 2022, kea’s Voice AI has successfully answered over one million calls for hundreds of restaurants nationwide. With kea’s partnership with CBS NorthStar, over 10,000 restaurant operators can now benefit from kea’s automated phone ordering system.

“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,” remarked Jeremy Julian, Chief Revenue Officer of CBS NorthStar. “This partnership with kea underscores our commitment to propel the restaurant industry forward into the era of AI.”

Utilizing Automated Speech Recognition (ASR) and Natural Language Understanding (NLU) technologies, kea accurately captures orders and transfers them directly to the kitchen through the POS system. The AI also features a live customer service representative, or “human-in-the-loop,” who can intervene as needed to ensure order success. By digitizing the phone channel, kea frees up hundreds of hours each month for restaurant staff, allowing them to focus on serving in-house guests.

As part of this alliance, CBS NorthStar will promote kea’s Voice AI as an optional enhancement to its POS solutions, giving restaurants the flexibility to customize their technology stack according to their specific needs and preferences. California Fish Grill, one of the joint customers of CBS NorthStar and kea, has already reaped the benefits of this integrated technology over the past several months.

For kea, the partnership with CBS Northstar represents the startup’s potential to integrate with POS technologies, opening the door for kea to enter more restaurants. Restaurants eager to digitize their phone channels and boost revenue with the innovative technologies from CBS NorthStar and kea are encouraged to book a demo at https://kea.ai.

About CBS NorthStar

At CBS NorthStar, we’re not just about software; we’re about redefining service in the hospitality industry. Our innovative platform transforms how restaurants and hospitality businesses operate, increasing operational efficiency, boosting revenue, and enriching the guest experience. Tailored to meet the unique needs of the industry, our solutions are designed to make a tangible difference in your business. With over 20 years dedicated to innovation in hospitality technology, we pride ourselves on understanding the challenges our customers face and crafting enduring solutions. Our commitment to excellence and passion for service drive us to deliver cutting-edge technology and exceptional support every day. #FindyourNorthStar Visit us at http://www.cbsnorthstar.com to discover how we can help elevate your business.

About kea

kea is on a mission to empower restaurant chains by enhancing customer service, streamlining operations, and boosting revenue through human-centered conversational AI. CEO Adam Ahmad founded “The Cashier in the Cloud” in 2017, and the company has since digitized phone ordering for hundreds of restaurants nationwide. kea uses machine learning to customize, upsell, confirm, and process orders through a PCI-compliant system. The technology features a “human-in-the-loop” to ensure a smooth ordering process. The company has served over 1,000,000 guests and has raised $29.6M from VCs including Marbruck, Xfund, Streamlined Ventures, Deepcore, Heartland Ventures, and Morningside Ventures.

Contact Information

Gabriela Lund

Communications Manager

kea

gabriela@kea.ai