Websites using Chownow

Okay, let s break down ChowNow, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care details.

ChowNow Overview

ChowNow is a technology platform that provides online ordering systems for restaurants. They focus on helping independent restaurants compete with larger chains and third-party delivery apps (like DoorDash or Uber Eats) by offering a direct-to-consumer approach. Their main features include:

• Branded Online Ordering: Restaurants get a custom-branded website and app (if desired) for taking orders directly from customers.
• Commission-Free Ordering: Unlike third-party apps that charge hefty commissions, ChowNow typically operates on a subscription model.
• Direct Customer Relationships: Restaurants own their customer data and can build direct relationships with their clientele.
• Marketing Tools: ChowNow offers built-in marketing tools, such as email marketing, loyalty programs, and social media integration.
• Delivery Integration: While they don t handle delivery logistics directly, they integrate with various third-party delivery services, allowing restaurants to offer delivery options.
• Point of Sale (POS) Integrations: ChowNow integrates with many popular POS systems for seamless order management.

Key Benefits for Restaurants:

• Lower Costs: Avoids the high commissions charged by third-party delivery apps.
• Brand Control: Allows restaurants to maintain their brand identity online.
• Customer Ownership: Enables direct communication with customers and builds loyalty.
• Flexibility: Offers options for pickup, delivery, and table reservations.
• Simplified Operations: Streamlines order processing and management.

Revenue

ChowNow s revenue is primarily generated through:

• Subscription Fees: Restaurants pay a monthly or annual subscription fee for access to the platform and its features.
• Optional Add-ons: They may also offer premium features or add-ons for an additional fee.

While ChowNow is a private company and doesn t publicly disclose its specific revenue figures, they are a well-established player in the online ordering space for restaurants and are considered to be generating considerable revenue.

Alternatives to ChowNow

There are numerous alternatives to ChowNow, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here are some of the most common:

• Direct to Consumer / Restaurant Based Options
  • Toast: A comprehensive restaurant management platform with online ordering, POS, and other features, usually comes at a higher cost.
  • Square Online: Square s platform integrates with its POS and offers online ordering, good for smaller operations.
  • MenuDrive: Another provider that offers white label solutions, very similar to ChowNow.
  • GoTab: A platform that focuses on in house and online dining, with a high focus on contactless options.
• Third Party Delivery Apps (Commission Based)
  • DoorDash: The largest third-party delivery app in the US.
  • Uber Eats: A major competitor to DoorDash.
  • Grubhub: Another popular delivery service.
• Open Source Solutions:
  • WooCommerce / WordPress: If a restaurant is tech-savvy, they could use WordPress and WooCommerce to create an online ordering system for a lower cost, but may require more technical knowledge and time.
• Custom Development: A restaurant may also elect to hire a development agency to develop a solution in house.

Pricing

ChowNow s pricing structure is primarily based on a subscription model. They typically offer different plans with varying features and capabilities. While specific pricing can vary, these are some things to expect:

• Monthly or Annual Fees: You ll pay a recurring fee for using the service.
• Tiered Plans: Usually, they have plans for different sizes or needs - starter plan with limited features and pro or premium plans with more advanced capabilities (e.g., more marketing tools, loyalty program features, etc).
• Setup Fee: There may be a one-time setup fee for onboarding and implementation.
• Optional Add-ons: Charges may be incurred for premium features, extra marketing options or additional customizations.

Important Note: The best way to get accurate and up-to-date pricing for ChowNow is to visit their official website or contact their sales team directly. Their pricing is subject to change.

Customer Care Details

ChowNow provides various channels for customer support:

• Email Support: Usually through a dedicated email address.
• Phone Support: For urgent matters, they often provide phone support during business hours.
• Help Center/Knowledge Base: They maintain an extensive online knowledge base with tutorials, FAQs, and articles to help users troubleshoot problems.
• Onboarding Assistance: They often offer assistance to get new users set up on the platform.
• Dedicated Account Managers: Depending on the plan or business size, restaurants may be assigned an account manager to support them.

Key Takeaways

• ChowNow is a popular option for restaurants looking to take control of their online ordering process and save on commissions from third-party delivery apps.
• They offer a subscription-based model with various plans that include online ordering, branded websites/apps, and marketing tools.
• Their main competition comes from similar direct-to-consumer solutions, as well as commission-based third-party delivery apps.
• ChowNow s pricing is based on a subscription model, and they offer various customer support options.

Recommendations

If you re a restaurant considering ChowNow, it s recommended to:

• Compare Pricing: Get quotes from ChowNow and its competitors to see which option best fits your budget and requirements.
• Test the Demo: See how their platform works to ensure it s a good fit for your restaurant.
• Evaluate Your Needs: Do you need a full featured marketing platform? Are you okay with a more basic solution?
• Consider Your Customer Base: If your customers primarily use third-party apps, this may affect your choice.

Let me know if you have any other questions!