
How Dirty Bird Chicken N' Waffles Went From Skeptic to Superfan with Certus AI
Raul Parker wasn't sure he could trust AI with his restaurant and food trucks. One week in, he left a five-star review — and started referring other restaurants.
15 MIN READ
Mar 7, 2026
90%
Call handle rate — consistent, every service
11 hrs/week
Saved by staff no longer answering phones
24/7
Calls answered even when the restaurant is closed

Key Results
90%
Call handle rate — consistent, every service
11 hrs/week
Saved by staff no longer answering phones
24/7
Calls answered even when the restaurant is closed
"I am truly blown away and wish I would have done this much sooner. I have already recommended Certus to several other restaurants."
Raul Parker · Owner, Dirty Bird Chicken N' Waffles · Niagara Falls, NY
Before Certus AI
Between 10 and 20% of calls at Dirty Bird were going unanswered before Certus. With phone orders accounting for up to half of total revenue, that wasn't just a staffing inconvenience — it was a direct hit to the top line.
The front-of-house staff handling calls weren't trained salespeople. They weren't upselling. On busy nights, customers complained they couldn't get through, that orders were taken wrong, or that whoever answered sounded rushed and distracted. Staff were stretched between the floor and the phone — doing neither well.
Raul also runs food trucks alongside the restaurant, which means catering and food truck enquiries were landing on the same overloaded phone line. Requests slipped through. No one was capturing them consistently.
With Certus AI
Raul went live with Certus and within a week, the phones were handled. Every call answered. Orders taken accurately. Catering and food truck enquiries routed and logged. Staff fully back on the floor.
"My guys are lazy. If it's one less thing they gotta do, they're all in."
His staff's reaction was immediate enthusiasm — one less thing to worry about meant more focus on cooking, cleaning, and taking care of the people inside the restaurant. And the customers? They adjusted quickly too.
"It was a little weird at first, but it was easy. He answers their questions accurately and gives them a pickup time. If they want to place their order, they're gonna talk to the AI. He's not difficult."
Customer feedback reported by Raul Parker
One detail that stood out: Certus recognises repeat callers and addresses them by name. For a neighbourhood spot like Dirty Bird, that level of personalisation isn't something a 17-year-old on a busy Friday is going to deliver consistently — but the AI does it every time.
"Some people can't even tell that he is not a real person. I am amazed at how accurate, personable and adaptive Certus' AI technology actually is."
Raul Parker · Owner, Dirty Bird Chicken N' Waffles · Trustpilot Review
Within a week of going live, Raul had no complaints — only a list of improvements he wanted to make it even better. The phones were handled. The staff were back on the floor. And he was already telling other restaurant owners about it.
You're probably losing $500–$1,000 a day to missed phone calls. Most restaurant owners are.
Certus AI answers every call, takes every order, and sounds so real your customers won't know the difference. It never calls in sick. It never has a bad day. It works during your busiest rush and at 2am when someone wants to know if you're open tomorrow.
No contracts. No setup fees. Running in your restaurant within 48 hours.
- 100% Call Capture — Every call answered, no exceptions
- 24/7 Availability — Takes orders even when you're closed
- Instant Order Taking — No hold times, no mistakes
- POS Integration — Orders sync automatically
90%
Call handle rate — consistent, every service
11 hrs/week
Saved by staff no longer answering phones
24/7
Calls answered even when the restaurant is closed
