ChowNow

ChowNow is a U.S.-based technology company that provides online ordering systems tailored specifically for independent restaurants. Founded with the mission to help local eateries compete in an increasingly digital and delivery-driven world, ChowNow offers a unique alternative to traditional third-party food delivery platforms. Rather than acting as a middleman that charges high commissions, ChowNow empowers restaurants to take control of their digital ordering experience through branded, commission-free solutions. At its core, ChowNow is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform that enables restaurants to accept orders directly through their own websites, mobile apps, and even social media channels. This direct-to-consumer model allows restaurants to retain ownership of their customer data, build brand loyalty, and avoid the steep fees—often 20–30% per order—charged by competitors like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash. ChowNow’s subscription-based pricing model provides a more predictable and sustainable financial structure for restaurants, making it especially appealing to small and mid-sized businesses. The platform supports both pickup and delivery services, with delivery fulfilled either by the restaurant’s own staff or through third-party logistics partners. ChowNow integrates seamlessly with a restaurant’s existing digital presence, offering tools for marketing automation, customer relationship management (CRM), and analytics. These features help restaurants not only process orders but also grow their customer base and improve retention. ChowNow’s customer base includes over 9,000 restaurants across the United States and Canada. These range from single-location diners to multi-unit establishments, all of which benefit from the platform’s emphasis on brand control and customer engagement. The company has also invested in fraud prevention technologies, partnering with Sift to reduce chargeback rates by 99% and save over $1 million in losses. This focus on security and operational efficiency has allowed ChowNow to expand into high-risk markets like New York, Miami, and Chicago without compromising service quality.

ChowNow’s most significant competitive advantage lies in its commission-free, subscription-based model, which starkly contrasts with the commission-heavy structures of major food delivery platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. While those platforms often charge restaurants up to 30% per order, ChowNow offers a flat monthly fee, allowing restaurants to retain more of their revenue and plan their finances with greater predictability. Another key differentiator is brand ownership and customer data control. ChowNow enables restaurants to build and maintain their own branded ordering platforms, whether on their websites, mobile apps, or social media pages. This direct-to-consumer approach not only strengthens brand loyalty but also gives restaurants access to valuable customer insights—something that’s typically withheld by third-party aggregators. ChowNow also excels in integration and user experience. Its tools are designed to seamlessly plug into a restaurant’s existing digital ecosystem, offering features like automated marketing campaigns, loyalty programs, and CRM systems. These tools help restaurants not just process orders, but actively grow their customer base and improve retention.

• Small Businesses (1-99)
• Mid Market (100-500)
• Enterprise (500+)