How Kemal keeps Tabor Pizzeria running smoothly, even on the busiest nights

Kemal, one of the owners of Tabor Pizzeria, has been part of the business since high school. His family established the pizzeria in 1986, and over the years, he has seen it grow into a staple in the neighborhood. Tabor Pizzeria serves a diverse community, including families, students, and local businesses, making efficient operations essential to success.

The challenge: managing orders in a busy pizzeria

Running a pizzeria means being prepared for anything. On a busy Friday night, the phones start ringing, customers walk in, and orders flood in unpredictably. "It’s just unknown. It could start slow, and then suddenly, the phones are ringing, and orders are coming through," Kemal explains.

Phone orders have always been a major part of the business, but the traditional method of managing calls became overwhelming. With multiple phone lines, staff members were constantly juggling incoming calls while handling walk-in customers. "We don’t like to make our customers wait," Kemal says. "But when the phone is ringing, someone’s on hold, and people are coming in, it gets tough."

The struggle of answering phones

Before using Slice’s phone ordering service, Kemal relied on his team to manage calls. "We had at least two staff on the phones, sometimes three, because phone orders took time — taking credit card numbers, addresses, and making sure everything was correct." Staff had to be highly knowledgeable about the menu to prevent mistakes. "If they don’t know what we have or get an order wrong, we have to call the customer back. That takes time and could lead to cancellations."

With employees juggling multiple tasks at once — answering phones, taking orders, retrieving items from storage — mistakes were bound to happen. During peak hours, pressure increased, making it harder to ensure accuracy. "When you’re in the weeds, you just want it done right the first time," he adds.

The solution: Slice’s phone ordering service

As the business evolved, Kemal realized that staff shortages and changing customer behaviors required a better approach. That’s when Slice’s phone ordering service stepped in. "It came at the perfect time. We were short on workers, and Slice seamlessly transitioned into handling our phone orders."

Now, Slice’s trained phone team answers customer calls, ensuring consistent and professional service. Orders come through directly to the register and kitchen printer, eliminating errors from handwritten notes. "We couldn’t be happier. The consistency is amazing, and my staff doesn’t have to stress about answering phones while handling everything else."

The unexpected benefits

Beyond reducing the stress on his staff, Kemal has noticed several unexpected benefits from Slice’s phone ordering service:

1. Larger Orders: Since the Slice team isn’t working in a hectic restaurant environment, they have more time to upsell, helping customers explore more menu options.

2. Fewer Mistakes: Orders are clear, verified, and accurately entered into the system. "Because they repeat the order back, customers confirm everything, and it’s always right."

3. More Efficient Staff: Without worrying about answering phones, in-store staff can focus on preparing food and serving customers. "Everything comes in formatted correctly, so my team can work faster."

4. Reliability: If an employee calls out, there’s no need to scramble for coverage — phone orders are always taken care of. "You never have to worry about whether the phone is being answered."

A seamless partnership

Kemal sees Slice as more than just a service provider; they are a true partner in Tabor Pizzeria’s growth. "Slice came in at the right time and evolved with us. During COVID, online ordering became essential, and Slice helped us transition smoothly."

For pizzeria owners on the fence, Kemal’s advice is simple: "You have to try it. It’s like having a great employee who always shows up, does the job right, and makes sure customers are happy."

With Slice’s phone ordering service, Kemal no longer has to worry about managing calls, ensuring accuracy, or training staff on phone etiquette. Instead, he can focus on what he does best — serving great pizza to a thriving community.

Our phone ordering service is now available through the all-in-one Slice Family Membership. You can learn more about the Phone solution on our website here.