When your restaurant's phone rings during the dinner rush, that ringing represents either another happy customer - or lost revenue.

While most voice AI platforms like SoundHound promise to solve this problem across multiple channels, many independent restaurants discover they need something more focused: A solution built specifically for mastering the phone channel of a restaurant - the channel still drives significant revenue for most establishments.

TLDR

Certus AI is as the superior alternative to SoundHound for independent restaurants and small chains by focusing exclusively on perfecting phone operations rather than spreading across drive-thrus, kiosks, and in-car ordering.

While SoundHound offers powerful omnichannel capabilities ideal for large QSR chains, Certus delivers deeper phone-specific features like direct payment processing, intelligent upselling, and reservation management. All of this is resulting in documented revenue increases of $400,000+ annually for average restaurants. The key difference: Certus takes complete orders during the call itself, while many SoundHound implementations deflect callers to online ordering links.

Understanding the Voice AI Landscape for Restaurants

The restaurant voice AI market has exploded, with platforms ranging from broad enterprise solutions to specialized tools. SoundHound, a publicly-traded company represents the enterprise approach. They offer voice AI across drive-thrus, mobile apps, in-car systems, and phones.

Certus AI takes a different approach: laser-focused expertise on the single channel that matters most to independent restaurants: The phone line. This focus allows for deeper functionality where it counts, turning what could be a simple answering service into a revenue-generating AI phone agent for restaurants.

Why the best Voice AI for Restaurants depends on your needs

The Enterprise approach: SoundHound's Omnichannel Strategy

SoundHound brings the following credentials to the table:

• Public company listed on Nasdaq (SOUN)

• Deployments across 10,000+ locations

• Partnerships with major chains like Red Lobster, White Castle, and Five Guys

• Integration with Toast, Square, Oracle, and Olo

• Voice AI for drive-thrus, SMS, mobile apps, and even in-car ordering

For large QSR chains needing to automate multiple customer touchpoints, this breadth might make sense. Their platform can handle everything from drive-thru lanes to text-based ordering.

The focused approach: Certus AI's Phone Automation

Certus AI deliberately narrows its scope to perfect one thing:

• 100% focus on restaurant phone automation

• Direct order processing without redirects

• Built-in payment processing over the phone

• Reservation and event management

• Complaint handling and customer service

• Documented average revenue increase of 6-figures annually

This specialization means every feature is optimized for the unique challenges of phone ordering, from handling background noise to managing complex modifications.

The Difference: How Orders get processed

Here's where the philosophical divide becomes practical.

Both platforms can technically take phone orders, but their implementations are different.

Common SoundHound deployments

While SoundHound's Smart Ordering product can process full phone orders through POS integration, many restaurants use it primarily for:

• Answering frequently asked questions

• Reducing hold times

• Deflecting callers to online ordering via SMS links

• Basic call routing to staff

This "deflection" approach makes sense for high-volume chains wanting to move customers to lower-cost channels. But for independent restaurants, it creates problems:

• Customer frustration: People calling expect to place orders by phone, not receive text links

• Lost sales: Many customers ignore SMS links or call competitors instead

• Missed upselling: No opportunity for conversational recommendations

• Broken experience: The interaction feels impersonal and disconnected

Certus AI's Direct Approach

Certus handles the entire transaction during the phone call:

• Takes the complete order verbally

• Processes payment securely over the phone

• Suggests complementary items based on the order

• Sends everything directly to your POS

• Confirms the order before hanging up

The result? Customers get what they expected when they called: A smooth ordering experience. And whether that happened with a person on the other side or through an AI phone ordering system doesn't matter to them.

Feature Comparison of Certus AI vs Soundhound AI

POS and System Integration

SoundHound:

• Integrates with Square, Toast, Oracle, and Olo

• Strong ecosystem for enterprise deployments

• Focus on throughput and operational efficiency

Certus AI:

• 45+ POS integrations including Toast, Square, Clover

• Direct integration with UberEats, DoorDash

• Emphasis on revenue capture and order accuracy

• One-system approach for orders, payments, and reservations

Voice AI Language Support and Customer Experience

Both platforms handle multiple languages, but their approaches differ:

SoundHound leverages its global voice AI technology across industries, though specific language options aren't prominently featured in restaurant deployments.

Certus AI explicitly supports English, Spanish, French and more, with each language optimized for restaurant-specific vocabulary and ordering patterns.

Upselling and Revenue Optimization with a Restaurant Voice AI

This is where specialized focus on restaurants shows its value:

SoundHound mentions "suggestive selling" capabilities, primarily measured through increased throughput and reduced labor costs at enterprise scale.

Certus AI publishes specific revenue metrics from actual restaurants:

• Average $400,000 annual revenue recovery

• $5,400 monthly increase from upselling alone

• 3X increase in delivery revenue

• 300% higher average order values in some cases

The difference? Certus is built from the ground up to maximize phone channel revenue with an AI phone agent for restaurants, not just to handle call volume for any business.

The best Alternative to SoundHound AI for independent Restaurants

Several factors make Certus AI particularly compelling for independent restaurants and small chains:

1. Voice AI Implementation Speed and Simplicity

• SoundHound: Enterprise deployment process suited for chains

• Certus: 3-day setup requiring just 45 minutes of your time

2. Support Model

• SoundHound: Enterprise support for large accounts

• Certus: Direct access to the AI team, white-glove service for every restaurant

3. Revenue Focus vs. Efficiency Focus

• SoundHound: Emphasizes throughput, labor reduction, operational metrics

• Certus: Emphasizes revenue recovery, order value increase, missed call elimination

4. Channel Philosophy

• SoundHound: Omnichannel automation across all touchpoints

• Certus: Deep expertise in the phone channel that drives most independent restaurant orders

Real-World Impact: What Restaurant Owners experience

The metrics tell the story.

Restaurants using Certus report:

• 45% decrease in time spent answering phones

• $9,051 average monthly savings from operational improvements

• Never missing an order during peak hours

• Complete elimination of after-hours missed calls

These are measured results from actual restaurant implementations. 🤝

How Modern Voice AI Fits Your Restaurant Tech Stack

Understanding how AI for restaurants integrates with your existing systems is crucial. As we've explored in our guide to restaurant management software vs restaurant voice AI, these technologies should complement, not complicate, your operations.

While SoundHound's platform is good for connecting multiple ordering channels for enterprise chains, Certus AI's approach ensures your voicebot seamlessly handles the complete phone experience, from initial greeting through payment processing.

The complete Automated Phone Solution

What makes Certus AI better than other Voicebot Providers

Automating phone operations for restaurants involve more than just taking orders:

• Reservations: Automatically books tables and manages modifications

• Events: Handles group bookings and special event inquiries

• Complaints: Manages customer concerns with consistent professionalism

• Deliveries: Coordinates with DoorDash, UberEats, and other platforms

• Payments: Processes secure card payments directly during the call

This comprehensive approach means one AI agent handles everything, rather than deflecting complex requests back to staff.

Choosing between Soundhound and Certus AI

Consider these factors when evaluating different voice AI platforms:

Choose SoundHound if you:

• Run a large QSR chain with multiple locations

• Need drive-thru and kiosk automation

• Want to integrate in-car ordering systems

• Prioritize moving customers to digital channels

• Have enterprise IT resources for implementation

Choose Certus AI if you:

• Want to maximize revenue from phone orders

• Need a solution operational within days, not weeks

• Prefer complete phone order processing without redirects

• Value detailed revenue metrics and ROI tracking

• Want dedicated support without enterprise price tags

The Investment Perspective: ROI and Value

When evaluating alternatives, consider the total value delivered:

Revenue Recovery

Certus AI's focus on capturing every call translates directly to recovered revenue. With documented cases showing $400,000+ annual increases, the ROI becomes clear quickly.

Operational Savings

Beyond revenue, consider the operational impact:

• Staff freed from phone duty during rush periods

• Consistent service quality 24/7

• Reduced training needs for phone operations

• Elimination of order errors from misheard details

Learning from others when if comes to Migration

Interestingly, many Certus AI customers previously used other voice AI solutions. As we discussed in our analysis of the Best Alternative to Slang, restaurants consistently cite the same reasons for switching:

• Frustration with call deflection instead of order completion

• Lost revenue from customers who won't follow SMS links

• Need for deeper phone-specific features

• Desire for measurable revenue impact, not just cost reduction

Implementation: Get started with focused Restaurant Voice AI

Certus AI's implementation process reflects its focused approach:

1. Day 1: Complete a simple onboarding form with your menu and preferences

2. Day 2: Meet with a Certus engineer for customization

3. Days 3-5: AI training and testing on your specific menu

4. Go Live: Forward your calls - no hardware, no complexity

Compare this to enterprise platforms requiring IT resources, lengthy deployments, and complex change management processes.

The Future of Restaurant Voice AI

As restaurant order automation evolves, we're seeing a clear split:

• Enterprise platforms expanding horizontally across every possible touchpoint

• Specialized solutions going deeper into specific channels

For independent restaurants, it's a great advantage making use of exceptional AI where it matters most. And for most restaurants, that's still the phone.

The Verdict: Best Voice AI for Restaurants

SoundHound represents impressive technology and scale, perfect for large chains needing omnichannel automation. But for independent restaurants and small chains where phone orders drive significant revenue, Certus AI's specialized approach delivers superior results.

The best alternative to SoundHound is about delivering depth where it counts. By focusing exclusively on perfecting phone operations, Certus AI turns what could be a cost center into a revenue driver. And that makes Certus the best Voice AI for restaurants, cafes and delis.

Transform Your Phone Operations Today

Ready to stop losing revenue to missed calls and incomplete orders?

Discover why restaurants are choosing Certus AI and convince yourself.

Book a demo today and see how you can have your dedicated AI phone agent operational in just 3 days. Your customers are calling. Make sure you're capturing every opportunity with the voice AI solution built specifically for your needs.