Calso is an AI business assistant built exclusively for hospitality venues. It handles phone calls, emails, stock ordering, scheduling, marketing, and more autonomously, using your venue's context and your tone of communication.

How much does Calso cost?

One flat monthly rate with unlimited actions, all integrations, and personal onboarding included — no per-seat pricing. See current pricing at calso.com.au/pricing.

Does Calso replace my POS system?

No. Calso integrates with your existing POS and booking systems. It reads data from them and acts on your behalf — it does not replace them.

How long does Calso take to set up?

Setup typically takes 1–2 hours with a dedicated 1-on-1 onboarding session. Calso starts handling tasks within the first week.

Is my venue's data safe with Calso?

Yes. Each venue's data is completely isolated. Calso does not use your business data to train shared AI models. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest.

What hospitality venues does Calso work for?

Calso works for restaurants, cafes, bakeries, bars, wine bars, brunch spots, catering operations, and any hospitality venue with 1–50 staff.

Can Calso handle phone calls for my restaurant?

Yes. Calso makes and receives phone calls on behalf of your venue using voice AI. It can negotiate with suppliers, confirm bookings, follow up invoices, and answer customer inquiries 24/7.

Does Calso support multiple locations?

Yes. Calso supports multi-location management from a single account.

What's the SMS open rate compared to email for Australian cafes?

SMS has a 98% open rate versus email's 20-30%. For Australian venues, this means texts reach nearly all subscribers instantly, making SMS far superior for promoting specials, bookings, and events compared to traditional email marketing.

How can SMS marketing increase repeat visits to my cafe?

According to Australian hospitality research, venues using SMS saw 35% more repeat visits within 90 days. Targeted messages about specials, loyalty rewards, and exclusive offers encourage customers to return regularly, directly boosting your venue's revenue.

When should I send SMS messages to my cafe customers?

Send SMS strategically: 24 hours before busy service times, during penalty rate windows (Sundays/public holidays), and when customers are most likely to act. Timing messages around events like Melbourne Cup or ANZAC Day maximizes bookings and attendance at your venue.

Why do Australian hospitality venues ignore SMS marketing?

Most cafe owners treat SMS as outdated despite its proven effectiveness. They're unfamiliar with SMS platforms, unsure how to build subscriber lists, or don't understand its 98% open rate advantage over social media and email marketing channels.

How quickly do customers respond to SMS messages from venues?

SMS response times average under 3 minutes, significantly faster than email or social media. For Australian cafes, this means booking confirmations, table reservations, and customer inquiries are resolved almost instantly, improving operational efficiency.

Can SMS help fill tables during penalty rate shifts in Australia?

Yes. Use SMS to drive volume during high-cost shifts like Sundays and public holidays. Send targeted messages two weeks before events promoting special hours or menus. This helps offset Australia's penalty rates while filling seats during traditionally slower periods.

Why SMS Marketing Works for Cafes (And How to Start)

SMS is the fastest, most direct channel most Australian cafes ignore. With open rates above 98% and response times under 3 minutes, text messaging outperforms email, Instagram, and push notifications by a country mile. Yet most venue owners treat SMS like a relic—if they use it at all. Here's why that's costing you customers, and how to fix it.

The numbers don't lie: why SMS beats every other channel

Let's start with the hard facts. According to Twilio's 2024 research, SMS marketing achieves a 98% open rate compared to email's 20–30%. For hospitality venues in Australia, this means a text to your subscriber base reaches nearly everyone, nearly instantly.

Compare that to social media. A post to your Instagram followers? Maybe 5–8% see it without paying for ads. An email newsletter? You're lucky if 25% open it. A text? They've read it before they've finished their morning coffee.

The Messaging Company's 2023 Australian hospitality report found that venues using SMS saw a 35% increase in repeat visits within 90 days. That's not a vanity metric—that's revenue.

When SMS works best: timing and trigger points

Sending random messages at random times is how you get unsubscribes. The venues winning with SMS send messages at specific moments when customers are most likely to act.

Pre-service alerts (the obvious play)

Send a text 24 hours before a busy Friday or Saturday night: "Table for 4 at 7pm Friday? Book now—we've got 2 spots left. Reply YES or call 03 9xxx xxxx." You'll fill tables faster than a phone call, and your staff aren't tied up on the phone.

Penalty rate windows (the AU-specific angle)

Australia's penalty rates are brutal on Sundays, public holidays, and late nights. Use SMS to drive volume during these high-cost shifts. Two weeks before ANZAC Day (April 25), send: "Lunch on ANZAC Day? We're open 11am–3pm. Text BOOK to reserve." Same for Melbourne Cup Day (first Tuesday in November), Christmas Eve, and Boxing Day.

The maths is simple: if penalty rates are 50–75% higher on public holidays, you need higher covers to break even. SMS fills seats faster than any other channel.

Supplier order reminders (the hidden win)

This is where most cafes miss a trick. Use SMS to remind yourself and your team when stock is running low. Text your manager 48 hours before the weekly Bidvest or PFD order is due: "PFD order due tomorrow 2pm. Check cold room—milk, eggs, cream low?" Fewer stockouts, fewer emergency orders, fewer supplier fees. Calso automates this entirely, but if you're doing it manually, SMS is faster than Slack or email.

The counter-intuitive tactic: SMS for feedback, not just sales

Here's what most venues don't try: use SMS to ask for feedback in real time, not days later.

Instead of a generic email survey no one reads, text a customer 2 hours after they leave: "How was your brekkie? 👍 or 👎 Reply to let us know." The response rate is 15–20%, versus 2–3% for email surveys.

Better yet, use the replies to catch problems early. A customer texts back "👎 coffee was cold," and you've got a chance to respond same day: "Sorry to hear that, mate. Come back this week—we'll make it right. What's your name?" That's a loyalty win, not a lost customer.

This also feeds your review-response strategy. When someone leaves a 4-star Google review, a quick SMS follow-up asking what went wrong often uncovers a fixable issue—and a 5-star update.

How to build your SMS list without being creepy

The biggest blocker: most cafes don't have an SMS list. You can't text people who haven't opted in (and you shouldn't—it's against ACMA regulations and will tank your reputation).

Here's how to build one organically:

At the register. Train your team: "Text MENU to 0412 xxx xxx to get weekly specials." Make it effortless. Offer a small incentive: "Text COFFEE for a free coffee on your next visit." You'll sign up 5–8 customers per shift.
On your website. Add a sticky banner: "Get exclusive SMS offers. Text OFFERS to [number]." Keep it above the fold.
On your loyalty card. If you're still using a punch card, print: "Prefer texts? Text LOYALTY to [number]." Collect phone numbers from your existing base.
QR code in-venue. Print a poster near the exit: "Text us your number for Friday night specials." Scan rate is 8–12% if the offer is clear.

Within 30 days, you'll have 200–400 opted-in subscribers. Within 90 days, 800–1,200. That's a direct line to repeat customers.

Message templates for Australian venues

Here are five templates you can adapt right now:

1. Weekly special (Monday) "This week's special: Smashed avo on sourdough, $16. Tues–Fri 7am–11am. Reply BOOK for a table."

2. Last-minute covers (Friday 4pm) "Friday 6pm table for 2 just freed up. Fancy it? Call 03 9xxx xxxx or reply YES."

3. Slow-shift incentive (Tuesday 11am) "Lunch special today: Any burger + fries + beer, $28. Open till 2pm. Come in?"

4. Event tie-in (Melbourne Cup week) "Melbourne Cup lunch—book your table now. We're open 12–5pm Tues Nov 5. BBQ, bubbles, prizes. Text RESERVE."

5. Feedback request (post-visit) "Thanks for lunch! How was it? Reply with a 👍 or let us know what we can improve."

The compliance bit (keep it simple)

Australia's ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) requires:

Opt-in only. Never text someone who hasn't explicitly asked for it.
Clear unsubscribe. Every message should say "Reply STOP to unsubscribe."
Identify yourself. Your first message should say who you are: "Msg from [Cafe Name]."
No spam. Don't send more than 2–3 messages per week, or you'll get unsubscribed fast.
Business hours. Avoid texts before 8am or after 9pm (unless it's a booking confirmation they requested).

That's it. Keep it clean, and you won't have issues.

Where Calso fits in

Managing SMS lists, scheduling messages, and tracking opens takes time—time you don't have. Calso's operations platform integrates SMS campaigns with your supplier ordering, customer data, and demand forecasting, so you're not juggling three different tools. You can segment your list (e.g., "breakfast regulars," "Friday night diners"), schedule messages around your peak times, and see which campaigns drive covers. It's one less thing to think about.

Want early access?

If you're serious about SMS and want to automate the rest of your ops—ordering, reviews, demand forecasting—Calso's invite-only founding-venue program is open. Limited spots in each city, and founding venues get direct access to the team. Join the waitlist at calso.com.au/join before your competitor does.

Why SMS Marketing Works for Cafes (And How to Start)