Automate Restaurant Customer Service with WhatsApp and Llama AI Chatbot

Created by

Oneclick AI Squad

Last update

Last update a day ago

Objectives

Automate replies to common customer queries on WhatsApp
Handle table booking requests with confirmation
Provide menu item details, pricing, and dietary information
Share restaurant timing, location, and service availability
Promote offers and handle promotional queries
Operate 24/7 without manual intervention
Store bookings and conversations for reporting and analytics

Workflow Summary

Step 1: Message Reception

Node: WhatsApp Trigger (Webhook or API-based)
Function: Listens for incoming customer messages.

Step 2: Intent Recognition

Node: AI Query Processor (e.g., OpenAI API)
Function: Detects customer intent (e.g., booking, menu, timing).

Step 3: Conditional Routing

Node: Switch or IF Node
Function: Routes flow based on detected intent:

General information (menu, timing, services)
Table booking

Step 4A: Respond to General Info Queries

Node: AI Response or Static Reply Node
Function: Returns relevant information (menu, timing, address, etc.).

Step 4B: Process Booking Requests

Nodes:

Collect Booking Details (via chatbot interactions)
Store Booking Info (to DB or Google Sheets)
Send Booking Confirmation (to customer)

Step 5: Context Management

Node: Set/Update Customer Data
Function: Maintains conversation state and tracks follow-up messages.

Database or Google Sheet Columns for Table Booking

Column Name	Description
reservation_id	Unique reservation identifier
guest_name	Full name of the guest
contact_number	Customer’s WhatsApp or mobile number
email	(Optional) Email address
booking_date	Reservation date (YYYY-MM-DD format)
booking_time	Reservation time (HH:MM format)
party_size	Number of guests
table_id	(Optional) Table number or identifier
special_requests	Allergies, seating preferences, etc.
status	Booking status: Confirmed / Cancelled / Pending
created_at	Timestamp when booking was made
updated_at	Timestamp when booking was last modified

Prerequisites

Verified WhatsApp Business Account with API access
n8n instance (Cloud or self-hosted)
Access to an AI service (e.g., OpenAI, Claude)
Google Sheets, Airtable, MySQL, or other DB integration

Setup Instructions

Connect WhatsApp API using webhook or third-party WhatsApp provider (e.g., 360Dialog, Twilio).
Integrate AI using HTTP Request or OpenAI node for response generation.
Create Data Store (Google Sheet, Airtable, or MySQL) with defined booking columns.
Design Workflow in n8n with intent detection, conditional logic, and response nodes.
Test End-to-End by sending different WhatsApp queries and checking logs and stored data.

Example Conversation

Customer: “Can I book a table for 2 people tomorrow at 8 PM?”
Bot: “Sure. Please provide your name and contact number to confirm the reservation for 2 people at 8:00 PM tomorrow.”
[Booking details are saved, and a confirmation is sent.]

Benefits

Fully automated customer interaction
Supports real-time table reservations
Accurate and quick responses
Scales without increasing staff effort
Operates 24/7
Centralized booking data for analytics

Analytics and Reporting

Track key performance metrics such as:

Number of bookings per day/week
Average response time
Customer satisfaction scores (via feedback node)
Popular menu items or query types
Booking conversion rates

Security and Compliance

End-to-end encrypted WhatsApp messages
Role-based access to sensitive data
Compliance with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR)
Secure API integrations and storage solutions

Conclusion

This WhatsApp chatbot serves as a reliable, AI-powered digital front desk for restaurants. Built using n8n and scalable components, it automates customer support, manages bookings, and enhances operational efficiency while offering a seamless customer experience.