WhatsApp for restaurants and cloud kitchens

WhatsApp Business API for restaurants and cloud kitchens

Take direct orders from a WhatsApp menu, confirm table bookings, update customers while the rider is on the way and bring regulars back without aggregator commission.

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Cloud kitchens and delivery-first brandsDine-in restaurants and cafesSweet shops and bakeries taking pre-ordersCaterers and tiffin servicesRestaurant chains with several outlets

WhatsApp order from a cloud kitchen with the customer's cart, an order confirmation with total and preparation time, and a call button

How do restaurants take orders on WhatsApp?

Restaurants take WhatsApp orders by sharing their menu as a catalogue or list message. The customer adds dishes to a cart, the order reaches the kitchen through the team inbox or POS, and utility templates confirm the order, the preparation time and dispatch. Payment is taken by a link in chat or on delivery, without aggregator commission.

Updated 15 Nov 2026

Key facts: WhatsApp for restaurants and cloud kitchens

Channel: WhatsApp Business API
Best for: Menu catalogue ordering; Order confirmed and dispatched; Table reservation
Message types: Chatbot, Utility template, Marketing template
Who it suits: Cloud kitchens and delivery-first brands, Dine-in restaurants and cafes, Sweet shops and bakeries taking pre-orders, Caterers and tiffin services, Restaurant chains with several outlets
Rules: Meta-approved templates and customer opt-in; free-form replies only within 24 hours of the customer's last message
Pricing model: Meta's per-message rate by template category, plus a MsgClub platform fee. WhatsApp API pricing explained
Integration: REST API and webhooks (message.delivered, message.read, message.received) into your own software. WhatsApp API

What hurts restaurant margins

Aggregator commission on loyal customersRegulars who would happily order direct still pay through an app, and the restaurant loses a large share of every bill to commission.

Orders taken on the phone during rushCalls at 9 pm mean misheard dishes, missing addresses and a manager stuck at the counter instead of the pass.

No way to reach past customersCustomers who ordered through an aggregator are not your contacts, so a new menu or festival special reaches nobody.

Restaurant uses

Chatbot

Menu catalogue orderingThe bot sends the menu as a catalogue grouped by starters, mains and combos; the customer builds a cart and shares the delivery location.→ Direct orders without commission

Utility template

Order confirmed and dispatchedConfirms the items, bill and estimated time, then sends a dispatch message with the rider's name and a call button.→ Fewer where-is-my-food calls

Chatbot

Table reservationGuests pick date, time and party size, and get a confirmation plus a reminder 2 hours before, with a button to cancel and free the table.→ Fewer empty reserved tables

Marketing template

Festival and bulk pre-ordersDiwali sweet boxes, Christmas cakes or Iftar platters announced to opted-in customers with a pre-order button and pickup slots.→ Planned kitchen load

Utility template

Feedback after the mealA day after delivery, one tap rates the order; low ratings go straight to the manager to fix.→ Problems fixed before reviews

Marketing template

Repeat-order nudgeRegulars who opted in get a weekend special or a reorder button for their usual meal.→ More repeat orders

Restaurant templates

Copy, edit and use these as a starting point.

Order confirmedUtility

Hi {{1}}, your order {{2}} from {{3}} is confirmed. Total: ₹{{4}}. Ready in about {{5}} minutes. We will message you when it leaves the kitchen.
[Call restaurant]

Table reminderUtility

Hi {{1}}, your table for {{2}} at {{3}} is booked for today at {{4}}. Please let us know if your plans change.
[I'm coming] [Cancel booking]

Weekend specialMarketing

Hi {{1}}, this weekend at {{2}}: {{3}}. Order on WhatsApp before {{4}} to get it hot for lunch. Reply STOP to opt out.
[See menu] [Reorder my usual]

Submit each template to Meta for approval in your MsgClub panel. {{1}}, {{2}} are variables.

How does WhatsApp work for restaurants and cloud kitchens?

Customers find the numberOn the parcel sticker, the table tent, Google Business Profile or an Instagram ad that opens WhatsApp.
The menu does the sellingThe bot shares the catalogue or a list menu; the customer orders and shares location.
The kitchen gets the ticketThe order reaches your POS by webhook or appears in the team inbox for the counter to punch in.
Status goes back automaticallyYour POS calls the API on confirm and dispatch, and the feedback template follows next day.

Connect your softwareRestaurant POS or online ordering software can receive WhatsApp orders by webhook and send confirmation and dispatch templates through the MsgClub API; smaller kitchens can work from the team inbox alone. WhatsApp API · API and webhooks · Pricing

ComplianceMeta prohibits promoting or selling alcohol and tobacco on WhatsApp, so keep bar menus and drink offers off the channel. Send offers only to customers who opted in, and include an easy way to stop them.

Which other channels suit restaurants and cloud kitchens?

Use them together from one account, with shared contacts, reports and webhooks.

SMS for restaurants and cloud kitchensHow can restaurants use SMS marketing?See SMS

RCS for restaurants and cloud kitchensHow do restaurants use RCS messaging?See RCS

IVR for restaurants and cloud kitchensHow do restaurants use IVR?See IVR

Voice broadcast for restaurants and cloud kitchensShould restaurants use voice broadcast?See Voice broadcast

Missed call for restaurants and cloud kitchensHow do restaurants use a missed call number?See Missed call

AI calling for restaurants and cloud kitchensTwo-way AI agents that talk to callers in Hindi, English and other Indian languages, unlike a recorded message.See AI Voice

Compare every channel for restaurants and cloud kitchens

Questions about WhatsApp Business API for restaurants and cloud kitchens

Can I put my restaurant menu on WhatsApp?

Yes. You can upload dishes to a WhatsApp catalogue with photos and prices, or send the menu as a list message or PDF. A catalogue lets customers add items to a cart and send the order in one message, which is easier for the kitchen to read.

Does WhatsApp ordering replace Swiggy and Zomato?

Not completely. Aggregators bring new customers; WhatsApp is best for regulars who already know you. Put your number on parcels and bills so repeat customers order direct, which saves commission on those orders while aggregators keep bringing discovery.

How do restaurants take payment for WhatsApp orders?

Most send a payment link from their gateway or POS in the chat after confirming the order, or accept cash or UPI on delivery. The payment confirmation can update the order by webhook, and the kitchen starts cooking once it is paid.

Can a bar promote drinks on WhatsApp?

No. Meta's commerce and messaging policies prohibit promoting or selling alcohol and tobacco through WhatsApp Business. You can still confirm table bookings and send food menus, but happy hour offers or drink menus should not go out on the channel.

How often can I send offers to customers?

Keep it to the occasions customers care about, such as a weekend special or a festival menu, and only to opted-in contacts. Meta also limits how many marketing messages one person receives from businesses, so some sends may not be delivered if a customer is already getting many.

Can a cloud kitchen with several brands use one number?

Yes, but customers may find it confusing. Many cloud kitchens use one number per brand so the profile name and catalogue match what the customer ordered. All numbers can be handled in the same MsgClub team inbox by the same staff.