PALO ALTO, Calif., Aug. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — VoicePlug AI, a leading provider of enterprise-grade Voice AI ordering solutions for restaurants, today announced that Ray Villaman, a 30-year restaurateur and technology entrepreneur, has joined its Board of Directors. In this role, he will guide enterprise growth and strengthen strategic partnerships.
Villaman has opened more than 150 restaurants and held leadership roles at Bennigan’s, California Pizza Kitchen, and Boston Market. As President of Tahoe Restaurant Group, he built award-winning, people-first businesses. He has also co-founded and advised several restaurant-technology ventures, bringing both operator and technologist perspectives.
Over the past two years as an Advisory Board Member, Villaman observed VoicePlug’s in-store results while leading his team in testing multiple AI ordering solutions. Tahoe Restaurant Group ultimately selected VoicePlug AI for its accuracy, reliability, and seamless integration with restaurant operations.
“We tested a range of AI solutions in real-world conditions, and VoicePlug AI consistently delivered the best results — fast, accurate, and guest-friendly,” said Villaman. “That’s why our managers chose it, and why I’m joining to help scale this across the industry.”
Why VoicePlug AI Stands Out for Operators
Villaman highlighted VoicePlug’s operator-first approach and proprietary “Restaurant Domain Language Model” as differentiators. Clients report 100% answered calls, improved staff productivity, labor savings, and higher revenue in the first month. Other providers, he noted, remained unproven or in early development stages.
Strategic Leadership for Scale
As a board member, Villaman will help expand enterprise relationships, guide the product roadmap, and ensure VoicePlug continues solving real operator challenges.
“Ray has built restaurants at scale and founded technology companies,” said Jay Ruparel, CEO of VoicePlug AI. “His decision to join our Board reflects the trust operators place in VoicePlug.”
About VoicePlug AI
VoicePlug AI provides enterprise-ready Voice AI solutions that improve speed, accuracy, and guest satisfaction across drive-thru, phone, and kiosk channels. Its platform integrates with major POS systems and workflows, delivering natural ordering at scale. Learn more at www.voiceplug.ai.
About Ray Villaman
Ray Villaman is a veteran restaurateur and technology entrepreneur with over 150 restaurant openings and senior roles at major brands. As President of Tahoe Restaurant Group, he has led award-winning businesses and advanced restaurant technology.
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SOURCE VoicePlug AI
