9 min read

Best AI Phone Ordering for Pizza Restaurants: How Strad Pizza Conquered Phone Chaos

Adam Ahmad | CEO & Founder
Adam Ahmad | Ceo & Founder

Founder & CEO @ Kea.ai | Forbes 30u30

If you've ever worked in a restaurant during rush hour, you know that feeling. The line of customers wraps around the corner, orders are flying in, and then... the phone rings. And rings. And rings again.

This is exactly what was happening at Strad Pizza in Scottsdale, Arizona, before they partnered with us at Kea AI. Their story perfectly captures why so many pizza shops are turning to the number one AI phone ordering solution to scale their operations without sacrificing quality.

Speaking of incredible pizza, let me paint you a picture of what Strad is serving up:

Crispy, golden crust that crunches like pure perfection. Rich, tangy tomato sauce that hits differently. 100% Mozzarella cheese melted to absolute greatness. And those toppings? Stacked to the max for an explosion of flavor.

This isn't just pizza. It's a full-send experience. One slice? You're grabbing three... at least.

When you're making food this good, the last thing you want is to compromise the experience because you can't handle the volume of orders coming in.

Take a look at what they had to say below! Then keep scrolling to drool over some of their incredible pies.

Kea meets with James, Freddy, and Scott, owners of Strad Pizza to walk through why they switched to Kea AI to take their phone calls.

The Friday Night Chaos Every Pizza Shop Knows

Picture this: It's 7 PM on a Friday in Scottsdale. Strad Pizza is absolutely packed. Their pie makers are cranking out orders, the slice-masters are working at full speed, and there's a line of hungry customers wrapped around the corner.

Then the phone starts ringing.

"We'd be slammed and then you've got a line backed up here around the corner and you're stoppin' to take a phone call. It's one of the most frustrating things, right?"

That's straight from the Strad team, and if you run a pizza shop, you're probably nodding your head right now. Every phone call during rush hour means someone has to stop what they're doing, wash their hands, pick up the phone, take the order, input it into the system, and then get back to their station.

Meanwhile, the in-person customers are waiting. The kitchen is backing up. And more calls keep coming in.

Why Phone Orders Still Matter (Even in 2025)

Here's something that might surprise you: despite all the apps and online ordering platforms, phone orders still make up over 60% of restaurant sales for many pizza restaurants. According to PMQ Pizza Magazine, 47% percent of pizza restaurants report that over 60 percent of their restaurant sales were made via phone-in orders.

People call because:

  • They have questions about the menu.
  • They want to customize their order.
  • They're driving and can't use an app.
  • They simply prefer talking to someone.

Ignoring phone orders means leaving serious money on the table. But answering them during peak hours creates operational chaos. Restaurants miss 43% of their phone calls, which costs the average venue up to $292,000 annually in lost business.

The Solution That Changed Everything for Strad

When Strad Pizza implemented Kea AI's phone ordering system, they solved their biggest operational headache overnight. Now when customers call, they get instant service from our AI that:

  • Answers immediately (no more missed calls)
  • Takes orders with +99% accuracy
  • Handles complex customizations
  • Integrates directly with their POS system
  • Takes payment for each so easy grab & go for guests.
  • Never needs a break during rush hour

The result? Their team can focus on what they do best: making incredible pizza.

This image shows a promotional popup from Strad Pizza's website featuring a man holding an open pizza box with a pepperoni pizza inside. The box and man's cap both display the Strad Pizza logo. The popup emphasizes the convenience of ordering by phone or text without needing an app, highlighting that their AI system handles orders quickly. The contact number 480-602-7577 is prominently displayed for customers to try the service. The background subtly shows elements of the website's menu offerings and branding.

Strad Pizza showcasing their dedicated Kea AI phone number to take phone calls and texts from customers.

Take an article break to look at some incredible pizza:

This image features a large pepperoni and sausage pizza, sliced into several pieces. Surrounding the pizza are detailed descriptions and icons highlighting the quality and characteristics of its ingredients. The left side lists hand-stretched dough, ripe tomatoes, and 100% mozzarella cheese, emphasizing their texture and flavor. The right side features seasoned sausage, smoky pepperoni, and olive oil, describing their savory and spicy qualities. The image serves as an informative visual for marketing or educational purposes, showcasing the craftsmanship and premium ingredients used in the pizza.This image showcases a menu from Strad Pizza presenting four different types of pizzas and four complementary items. The pizzas include Cheese (classic and gooey), Pepperoni (bold and zesty), Veggie (fresh vegetables on crispy crust), and Meat Lover (protein-packed with sausage and pepperoni). Accompanying the pizzas are savory and sweet knots: Cheesy Garlic Truffle Knots, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Knots, Nutella Stuffed Knots, alongside a beverage option IBC Root Beer Soda. Each item is described with appealing and descriptive text highlighting flavors and textures, intended for customer engagement and menu presentation.

The Numbers That Matter

Since implementing Kea AI, pizza shops typically see:

  • Zero missed phone calls during rush hours
  • 15-20% increase in phone order revenue according to industry data
  • Happier staff who can focus on food quality
  • Better customer experience both in-store and over the phone

For a busy shop like Strad that's "bumpin'" every Friday and Saturday night, these improvements translate directly to the bottom line.

Kea AI SMS Report Summary for Dough Boys Call Activity

Daily SMS reports show exactly how many calls Kea AI handled and revenue saved from missed calls. We now include upsell revenue. We meet operators where they are at!

Why This Matters for Your Pizza Shop

Every pizza shop faces the same challenge Strad did. You want to grow, but growth brings complexity. More orders mean more chaos during peak hours. More chaos means compromised quality or customer service.

AI phone ordering breaks this cycle. It lets you handle unlimited phone orders without adding staff or sacrificing quality. Your team stays focused, your customers get served faster, and you capture every potential order.

Nearly half of restaurants either use AI in their operations or plan to adopt it in the near future. This adoption has seen year-over-year growth of 7 percentage points.

The Bottom Line

Strad Pizza's success story isn't unique. It's happening at pizza shops across the country who've realized that AI phone ordering isn't about replacing human interaction. It's about enhancing your operation so your human team can deliver the experience your customers deserve.

When you're slammed on a Friday night with a line around the corner, you need every advantage you can get. For Strad and hundreds of other pizza shops, Kea AI has become that advantage.

Because at the end of the day, you got into the pizza business to make great pizza, not to juggle phone calls during dinner rush.

If you're ready to see how Kea AI's revolutionary restaurant revenue system can transform your pizza shop like it did for Strad, or want to learn more about how to measure the true ROI of voice AI, we're here to help.

FAQ

Q: How does Kea AI's phone ordering system work?

A: Kea AI uses advanced generative AI to answer calls, understand orders, handle customizations, and input everything directly into your POS system. It's the most accurate voice AI in the industry, designed specifically for restaurants. Learn more about our 5-minute deployment process that gets you up and running faster than any competitor.

Q: Will customers know they're talking to AI?

A: Kea AI provides natural, conversational interactions that feel seamless. Customers get their orders taken quickly and accurately, which is what matters most. With our 60+ premium voices, you can choose the perfect voice that matches your brand personality.

Q: How quickly can Kea AI be implemented?

A: Most pizza shops are up and running with Kea AI within days. You can easily integrate with your POS system and customizes the AI to your specific menu. Unlike competitors that take weeks, our under 5-minute deployment is industry-leading.

Q: What makes Kea AI the best choice for pizza restaurants?

A: Kea AI is the number one AI phone ordering solution because we specialize in restaurants. Our system achieves over 99% order accuracy, integrates with all major POS systems, and is built by people who understand the restaurant industry. Check out our 10 must-have features for 2025 that set us apart from the competition.

Q: Can Kea AI handle high-volume periods like Friday night rush?

A: Absolutely. Kea AI can handle unlimited simultaneous calls, making it perfect for peak hours. As Strad Pizza discovered, it completely eliminates the stress of phone orders during busy periods. Our system is designed to adapt to any restaurant menu, no matter how complex.

Q: What kind of ROI can I expect?

A: Pizza shops using Kea AI typically see a 15-20% increase in phone order revenue by never missing calls and providing instant service. According to industry data, QSRs achieve 700%+ ROI by generating $3,000 to $18,000 in additional monthly revenue per location. The system pays for itself quickly through increased sales and operational efficiency. Learn more about measuring voice AI ROI with our complete framework.