Drive More Repeat Orders in 2025 – Download the free guide
Atchana's homegrown thai owners
Case Study

How Atchana’s Homegrown Thai Built a Sustainable Takeout Business That Drives $400K+ in Annual Sales

Atchana’s Homegrown Thai is a family-owned restaurant located in the heart of Coconut Grove, Miami. They’ve been serving authentic Thai cuisine for nine years, with traditional dishes like Pad Thai and Khao Soi Gai on the menu. Nestled on a street near the marina, this corner restaurant has become a beloved gathering place for locals and visitors. They source locally grown herbs and built their bar with reclaimed greenheart wood, creating an atmosphere with a unique neighborhood flair. With a history tied to owner Atchana’s upbringing in Thailand and her family’s long-standing presence in the Miami restaurant scene, Atchana and Steve Capellini have built a loyal following. 

Atchana’s partnered with ChowNow to expand their takeout capabilities, reduce commission fees, and create a direct connection with their customers that honors their community-centered approach.

From Traditional Takeout to Finding an Online Ordering System

Before ChowNow, Atchana’s Homegrown Thai primarily focused on in-house dining, with a modest takeout business that relied solely on phone orders. The restaurant wasn’t set up for online ordering or delivery services. 

What they needed was a direct online ordering system that would let them control their takeout business without losing profits to high commission fees.

Steve Capellini, who handles the back-end operations for Atchana’s, began researching alternatives to high-commission delivery apps. “Everyone knows the horror stories about the percentages that these companies take, which is true,” Steve explained. He was looking for a more sustainable option that would allow them to maintain control over their ordering process while keeping more of their revenue.

After evaluating different platforms, Atchana’s chose ChowNow for its commission-free structure and ease of use. Unlike other platforms they considered, ChowNow offered a more sustainable financial model and seamless integration with their existing operations.

“ChowNow makes it sustainable.”
– Steve Capellini, Atchana's Homegrown Thai

As they integrated ChowNow into their operations, the team appreciated how smoothly it worked with their existing systems. When they later upgraded from their legacy POS, the transition was seamless. “It works seamlessly. That’s never a problem,” Steve noted about the integration between ChowNow and their POS system.

exterior of atchanas homegrown thai

Building a More Profitable Delivery Business

ChowNow helped transform Atchana’s takeout operations. They save approximately $14,000 annually in commission fees compared to if they used third-party delivery apps.

Beyond the significant cost savings, ChowNow has helped Atchana’s maintain strong connections with their customers. Their average order value through ChowNow is $82, showing that customers are comfortable placing substantial orders directly through the restaurant’s website.

The restaurant has also seen growth in mobile app usage, with 17% of their sales coming through their branded mobile app in the past year indicating increasing customer comfort with direct digital ordering.

Creating a Better Experience for Loyal Customers

For Atchana’s, maintaining their strong community connections was as important as financial considerations. They wanted a platform that would complement their dine-in experience, not replace it.

“First and foremost, we’re a restaurant and a gathering place.” ChowNow helped them extend that sense of community to their takeout customers, encouraging direct ordering through their website while maintaining their brand identity. The restaurant has observed that customers who order through ChowNow tend to be loyal, repeat customers who specifically seek out Atchana’s through their website.

“People that go through ChowNow are loyal customers.”
– Atchana Capellini, Atchana's Homegrown Thai

Flexible Delivery on Their Terms

Working with ChowNow has allowed Atchana’s to expand their delivery radius strategically over time. “It’s been a revenue, a business booster for us to be able to incrementally and in a targeted way expand our delivery area,” Steve explained. ChowNow’s customer service team helped them gradually increase their delivery zone as they became more comfortable with the volume.

This approach has enabled Atchana’s to grow without overextending themselves. “That’s what I’d recommend, look at ways you can incrementally and gradually expand without having to take on more debt or get in over your head,” Steve advised other restaurant owners. 

As Atchana’s continues serving their community, ChowNow remains an essential part of their business model, allowing them to maintain control over their brand while reaching customers beyond their physical location. With ChowNow, Atchana’s can focus on what they do best, creating authentic Thai cuisine and fostering community connections.

Book a Demo

22K+ independent restaurants choose ChowNow for online ordering. From helping diners discover you, to firing up profits, it’s the one platform that puts it all together.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Want to grow your takeout sales? Subscribe to our newsletter