Picture this: You are planning a birthday celebration and reach out to six of the finest restaurants in New York City. These are thriving establishments with strong reputations, yet only two respond to your inquiry. For Alex Sambvani, CEO and Founder of Slang AI, this experience revealed a hidden crisis costing the restaurant industry millions of dollars every day.

Sambvani’s journey from aspiring chef inspired by his grandmother’s cooking, through Wall Street, to data science at Spotify, positioned him to tackle one of hospitality’s most expensive problems. His grandmother, whom he describes as “an absolute beast in the kitchen,” instilled a love for hospitality that would later drive his entrepreneurial vision. In this episode of Lead with AI podcast, Dr. Tamara Nall explores how Slang AI has processed over 20 million calls across 49 states, ensuring restaurants never lose revenue to unanswered phones, busy signals, or overworked staff.

The Hidden Cost of Missed Calls  

Restaurants face a communication gap that diners notice but few operators quantify. When Sambvani contacted six New York restaurants for a private event, the four that did not respond didn’t just lose a birthday party—they potentially lost a client worth tens of thousands of dollars. Each missed interaction could represent a $10,000 private event or a corporate booking from a major company.

This issue extends beyond high-end restaurants. With tight margins, rising costs, and intense competition, unanswered calls can drive customers straight to competitors. First impressions matter. A missed call signals a lack of readiness to serve, often permanently.

Staffing shortages exacerbate the problem. Teams already stretched across in-person service, kitchen operations, and administrative tasks treat phone calls as interruptions rather than opportunities. Missed calls, mismanaged information, and frustrated customers create a cycle where poor communication costs revenue, which then restricts hiring, worsening the problem further.

Building Intelligence from 20 Million Conversations  

Slang AI differentiates itself from typical chatbots through the depth of its training data. Over five years, it has analyzed more than 20 million real restaurant calls covering reservation requests, private dining arrangements, dietary inquiries, and last-minute cancellations.

Operating across 49 states, the system has learned to navigate every accent, phrasing style, and regional communication nuance. It also understands unique policies and procedures of thousands of restaurants, from independent bistros to large multi-location groups.

This training data reflects genuine interactions—not scripted scenarios. Slang AI handles simple requests, multi-part questions, and complaints with responses that feel natural and helpful, rather than robotic.

The Launch That Validated the Concept  

Five years ago, launching the first client carried high stakes. ChatGPT had not yet popularized AI interactions, and public perception was uncertain. Sambvani and his team monitored every call, worried that callers might hang up or be frustrated by AI.

The first calls proved the system worked. Reservations were booked accurately, questions were answered, and revenue opportunities were captured that would have otherwise been lost. The success confirmed that AI could manage the complex, varied nature of restaurant customer service.

How COVID Accelerated Adoption  

The pandemic created an unexpected catalyst for Slang AI. With dining rooms closed and protocols changing constantly, restaurants faced an operational crisis. Many operators who resisted technology adopted it out of necessity.

Restaurants needed instant, reliable communication about masking, capacity, safety, and reservation policies. Slang AI provided consistent, up-to-date messaging across thousands of calls, enabling restaurants to manage crises and protect revenue.

The pandemic also transformed customer expectations. Diners became comfortable with QR menus, contact less payment, and digital reservations, making AI phone service feel natural. The crisis revealed which operators could adapt and survive, leaving a more technology-forward industry primed for innovation.

The Future of AI Agents in Hospitality  

Sambvani envisions AI agents handling every aspect of hospitality. Beyond reservations, AI could optimize revenue, manage loyalty programs, collect feedback, and support catering inquiries. Specialized AI agents could work together, handing off interactions seamlessly to deliver expert attention on every call.

Key advantages include:

• 24/7 Availability for reservations

• Instant Updates on menu, hours, and policies

• Intelligent Revenue Capture by suggesting alternatives

• Multilingual Support for diverse customers

• Consistent Service across all interactions

• Data Insights for operational improvements

AI in hospitality will enhance human service, not replace it, allowing restaurants to focus on what they do best: creating memorable experiences.

Lessons from Building During Crisis  

Launching Slang AI during the pandemic taught lessons for entrepreneurs navigating uncertainty. While fundraising and adoption were challenging, the crisis accelerated decisions and opened doors that might have remained closed.

Customers became more accepting of AI-mediated interactions, and surviving restaurants recognized the value of tools that boost efficiency, communication, and revenue. This environment enabled Slang AI to scale quickly and prove its worth.

Experiencing AI-Powered Hospitality  

Restaurants of all sizes can explore Slang AI through demonstrations on their website at slang.ai. The platform supports independent restaurants as well as large groups like Texas de Brazil, Front Burner Society, Quality Italian, Don Angie, and Catch Hospitality.

For diners, interactions with Slang AI are likely more frequent than realized. AI captures lost revenue opportunities, improves efficiency, and enables smaller teams to deliver exceptional service, helping restaurants thrive in a highly competitive industry.

For more insights into AI transforming hospitality and business, subscribe to the Lead with AI podcast, where we explore innovations with the leaders shaping the future of technology and artificial intelligence.

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Email: Tamara@LeadwithAIPodcast.com

Follow Dr. Tamara Nall:

LinkedIn: @TamaraNall
Website: TamaraNall.com
Email: Tamara@LeadwithAIPodcast.com

Follow Alex Sambvani:

Website: AlexSambvani.com
LinkedIn: @AlexSambvani
Medium: Sambvani.Medium.com
Website: Slang.AI
LinkedIn (Slang AI):   @Slang-AI
Twitter/X: @Slang_AI