How to take phone orders with Square: 3 ways
Key takeaways
- Manual POS entry is free but ties up a staff member for every call.
- Payment links avoid reading card numbers over the phone.
- An AI agent automates the whole flow but needs careful menu setup.
Option 1: Enter the order on the Square POS
- Answer the call and open a new ticket on Square POS.
- Add items and modifiers as the caller orders.
- Add the customer's name and pickup time to the ticket.
- Take payment at pickup, or send a payment request (see option 2).
This is the simplest setup, but someone has to be free to answer and type, which is exactly what's hard during a rush.
Option 2: Take the order, then text a Square payment link
Square lets sellers create payment links that customers open on their phone to pay by card or wallet. Instead of collecting card details out loud, staff text the link and fire the order once it's paid.
Check Square's current help pages for the exact steps on your plan and device, since menus and names change over time.
Option 3: Use an AI phone ordering agent connected to Square
An AI phone ordering agent such as AYO for Restaurants answers the call, takes the order from your Square menu, texts the Square payment link and sends the paid order to your kitchen. Your staff only steps in when a caller asks for a person or something unusual comes up.
Comparison
| POS entry | Pay link by staff | AI agent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staff time per call | Full call | Full call | Only on hand-off |
| Card numbers over the phone | Sometimes | No | No |
| Works during a rush | Hard | Hard | Yes |
| Extra cost | None | None | Monthly fee |
Tips for any method
- Keep your Square menu clean: clear item names, sizes and modifier groups.
- Set realistic pickup times for busy hours.
- Confirm the order back to the caller before payment.
Frequently asked questions
Can Square take phone orders?
Yes. Staff can enter phone orders on the Square POS, and Square payment links let callers pay on their own phone.
Should I take card numbers over the phone?
It's better not to. A payment link lets the customer enter card details directly with Square.
What's the fastest way to handle phone orders on Square during a rush?
An AI phone ordering agent connected to your Square menu can answer and take orders while your team keeps cooking.
Want every call answered? AYO takes phone orders from your Square menu and texts a secure pay link. See how AYO works.
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