What is ChowNow

ChowNow is an online ordering platform focused on direct-to-restaurant pickup and delivery. The service lets diners discover local restaurants, place orders through a branded restaurant site or the ChowNow app, and choose pickup or delivery while keeping ordering fees transparent.

Compared with mainstream marketplace apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub, ChowNow shifts the business model away from per-order commissions and toward merchant-focused subscriptions and branded ordering channels. That approach reduces ongoing commission costs for restaurants and gives them more control over customer data and promotions compared with commission-driven marketplaces.

ChowNow is particularly well suited for independent and small-chain restaurants that want to protect margins and own their online ordering experience. For diners it provides an alternative to large marketplaces by offering direct orders with no hidden fees and faster relationships with local restaurants.

How ChowNow Works

Restaurants sign up for ChowNow to add online ordering to their website, mobile app, or to be listed in the ChowNow app and partner sites. Orders placed by diners route directly to the restaurant through ChowNow’s order-management system and can be accepted for pickup or routed for delivery.

For delivery, restaurants can use their own drivers, integrate with third-party courier networks, or use ChowNow’s partner delivery options if available in their market. Restaurants can also deploy branded apps, QR-code menus, and in-store tablets to capture orders without paying per-order commissions to marketplace platforms.

Operationally, ChowNow integrates with point-of-sale systems and reporting tools so orders flow into the restaurant’s existing operations. The platform also offers marketing and customer retention tools so restaurants can promote items, run discounts, and build repeat customers through owned channels.

What does ChowNow do?

ChowNow’s platform centers on commission-free online ordering and tools that help independent restaurants accept, process, and promote pickup and delivery orders. Core capabilities include branded ordering experiences, marketplace listings through its partner network, POS integrations, and basic marketing and analytics features.

Key functionality includes:

Commission-free ordering

ChowNow provides an ordering model that avoids per-order commissions to marketplaces, focusing instead on recurring merchant fees or subscription arrangements that keep more revenue with the restaurant. This benefits restaurants by lowering long-term costs and benefits diners when restaurants pass savings into prices or promotions.

Branded mobile apps and websites

Restaurants can get white-labeled mobile apps and an on-site online ordering widget that match their branding, allowing customers to place orders directly rather than through a third-party marketplace. That gives restaurants control over menus, promotions, and customer information for marketing.

Order Better Network and partner listings

ChowNow lists participating restaurants across partner sites and platforms to expand visibility beyond the restaurant’s owned channels, while keeping orders direct and commission-free for the merchant. This helps restaurants reach customers who browse popular listing sites without surrendering commissions.

POS and operations integrations

The platform integrates with major POS systems so online orders flow into existing workflows and printers, reducing manual entry and order errors. These integrations help restaurants maintain consistent inventory, order tickets, and reporting across channels.

Delivery flexibility

Restaurants can fulfill delivery with in-house drivers, third-party couriers, or local delivery partners depending on market availability. That flexibility lets operators choose the model that fits their margin and service requirements.

Marketing and analytics tools

ChowNow offers basic marketing features such as email campaigns, discounts, and loyalty tools plus reporting dashboards that track orders, popular items, and customer behavior. These capabilities help restaurants increase repeat business and tailor promotions to high-value customers.

With these capabilities, ChowNow’s biggest benefit is enabling restaurants to own their digital ordering channel while avoiding commission fees. The platform is aimed at restaurants that want branded experiences, tighter margins, and integration with existing restaurant systems.

ChowNow pricing

ChowNow follows a restaurant-focused pricing approach that favors subscription-style arrangements over per-order commission fees, while diners use the ordering app or sites without hidden platform fees. Specific plan costs and billing options for restaurant customers are customized and typically provided during sales or onboarding conversations.

For current plan structures and details tailored to your restaurant, view ChowNow’s restaurant offerings on the ChowNow website or contact their sales team through the site for a quote and onboarding information.

What is ChowNow Used For?

ChowNow is used by diners who want to order pickup or delivery from local independent restaurants without extra marketplace commission fees or opaque service charges. The app and web ordering experience make it straightforward to discover nearby restaurants, reorder favorites, and schedule pickup or delivery.

For restaurant owners, ChowNow is used to implement direct online ordering, deploy branded mobile apps, integrate orders into POS systems, and run marketing campaigns to retain customers. It is also used by restaurants that want to expand reach via ChowNow’s partner listings while keeping customer relationships and order revenue direct.

Pros and Cons of ChowNow

Pros

• Commission-free ordering: Restaurants avoid per-order commissions common on large marketplaces, which can preserve margins and make direct orders more profitable.
• Branded ordering channels: White-labeled apps and website widgets let restaurants control their customer experience, branding, and promotions rather than relying on a marketplace UI.
• POS and partner integrations: Integrations with major point-of-sale systems and partner listings help streamline order flow and expand visibility without losing revenue to commissions.

Cons

• Subscription cost model for restaurants: Restaurants pay for access and features through subscription or merchant agreements, which can be a barrier for very small operators if not budgeted for appropriately.
• Delivery logistics remain the restaurant’s responsibility: While ChowNow provides partner delivery options in some markets, many restaurants must still manage in-house delivery or coordinate third-party couriers which adds operational complexity.
• Smaller consumer audience than major marketplaces: Because ChowNow emphasizes direct ordering and independent restaurants, its consumer reach is narrower than giant marketplaces, which may require additional marketing to drive volume.

Does ChowNow Offer a Free Trial?

ChowNow offers a free ordering experience for diners and subscription-based services for restaurants; restaurants should contact sales for demos or onboarding details. Diners can use the ChowNow app to discover and order without platform-hidden fees, while restaurant pricing, trial periods, and onboarding options are provided by ChowNow’s restaurant team during the sales process.

ChowNow API and Integrations

ChowNow supports integrations with common restaurant systems and point-of-sale platforms to route orders directly into kitchen workflows and accounting. For restaurants evaluating technical fit, check ChowNow’s integration information on the ChowNow website or speak with their integrations team.

The platform also connects with marketing and analytics tools to surface order insights and supports partner listings through its network to increase discovery while keeping order revenue with the restaurant.

10 ChowNow alternatives

Paid alternatives to ChowNow

• DoorDash — A consumer-facing marketplace that connects diners with restaurants nationwide and provides both marketplace ordering and DoorDash Drive for direct ordering and delivery services.
• Uber Eats — A large delivery marketplace offering broad consumer reach, brand visibility, and integrated delivery services across many markets.
• Grubhub — A well-known online ordering marketplace that provides consumer ordering, promotional features, and delivery logistics in many regions.
• Toast — Restaurant point-of-sale and ordering platform with built-in online ordering, delivery integrations, and management tools for full operations.
• Square Online — Square’s online ordering and commerce offering that integrates with Square POS for restaurants to accept pickup and delivery orders.
• Slice — Focused on independent pizzerias, Slice provides online ordering, marketing, and operations tools optimized for pizza shops.
• Postmates (Uber) — Delivery-first marketplace with consumer reach and logistics options for restaurants seeking on-demand delivery.

Open source alternatives to ChowNow

• WooCommerce — The WordPress e-commerce plugin can be extended with food-ordering plugins to create a self-hosted online ordering system under full merchant control.
• Odoo — The Odoo community edition is an open-source ERP that can be configured for restaurant workflows and online ordering through modules and customizations.
• OpenEats — An open-source project focused on food-related applications which can be adapted for community-driven ordering and recipe management.
• PrestaShop — An open-source e-commerce platform that can be customized with restaurant ordering modules and payment integrations for self-hosted online ordering.

Frequently asked questions about ChowNow

What is ChowNow used for?

ChowNow is used to provide direct online ordering for restaurants and to let diners place pickup or delivery orders with local independent restaurants. It helps restaurants take orders through branded channels and partner listings while avoiding per-order commissions.

Does ChowNow charge commissions to restaurants?

ChowNow emphasizes commission-free ordering and typically uses subscription-style arrangements for restaurants rather than per-order commissions. Restaurants should consult ChowNow’s sales team for details on contract structure and fees.

Can diners use ChowNow without extra fees?

Yes, diners can order through the ChowNow app or participating restaurant sites without hidden platform fees. Delivery charges and taxes may still apply based on the restaurant’s settings and local regulations.

Does ChowNow integrate with point-of-sale systems?

Yes, ChowNow supports integrations with major POS and restaurant systems to route orders directly into kitchen workflows. Contact ChowNow or review their integration documentation via the ChowNow website for specifics on supported vendors.

Can restaurants get a branded app with ChowNow?

Yes, ChowNow offers white-labeled branded mobile apps and website ordering widgets for restaurants. These branded channels allow restaurants to control the ordering experience and customer data.

Final verdict: ChowNow

ChowNow excels at giving independent restaurants a way to capture online orders without per-order marketplace commissions and with ownership of the customer relationship. Its strengths are branded ordering channels, POS integrations, and a partner listing network that increases visibility while preserving restaurant margins.

Compared with DoorDash, which operates primarily as a consumer marketplace and relies heavily on commission fees, ChowNow favors a merchant-first model that reduces variable costs for restaurants. For restaurants that prioritize margin control and branded customer experiences, ChowNow is a strong fit; for restaurants seeking the widest immediate consumer reach and integrated delivery logistics, marketplace alternatives like DoorDash or Uber Eats may be more appropriate depending on their growth strategy.