Hospitality technology developer OhWaiter has joined Toast Partner Ecosystem to help restaurants use its text-to-order platform.

The platform brings new ordering and customer engagement functionalities. The technology can engage with customers through text and help them create and close an order through Toast’s point-of-sale (POS) system.

It can be beneficial in hospitality locations with hard-to-reach areas such as guest rooms, golf courses and pools and can help minimise the need for staff in such locations.

OhWaiter can be a useful takeout tool that allows customers to order directly from their phones, helping them avoid long lines or waiting periods. It can also take orders via text messages.

OhWaiter has developed an AI-based text-to-order feature for restaurants that seek to drive engagement with customers.

Once activated, it can save a location’s phone number and text to order again anytime without scanning.

The system can recognise each customer, determine if they are on or off the premises and handle multiple aspects of their order. 

OhWaiter chief operating officer and co-founder AJ Vernet stated: “AI-infused text-to-order channels are becoming a cost-effective way to connect directly with your customers and take their orders. OhWaiter acts like a perfect waiter every time, upselling items when appropriate.

“OhWaiter has no limit on the number of orders it can process simultaneously. We eliminate any unnecessary wait times or staffing challenges an operator will have while saving them money on commission since the customer is already acquired.”

Toast business development senior director Keith Corbin stated: “We are thrilled to welcome OhWaiter to the Toast Partner Ecosystem, and to offer Toast customers the ability to provide their guests order via text functionality with OhWaiter.

“By partnering with OhWaiter, customers can now unlock another way to drive guest visits, both repeat and new, by meeting them where they are.”

In early December 2023, Toast’s POS system was selected by fast casual and quick-service restaurant group Craveworthy Brands for 50 additional locations, bringing the total number of Craveworthy sites covered by Toast to 93.