ChowNow for Restaurants: FAQs on Features, Pricing, Delivery, and More

This guide is built for restaurant operators comparing online ordering tools and looking for a clearer path to growing direct, repeat orders.

When you’re researching online ordering providers like ChowNow for your restaurant, you’re bound to have questions. There’s a whole lot of information out there, and you definitely don’t have the time to parse through it all. That’s why we’ve put together answers to the questions we hear the most.

Frequently Asked Questions About ChowNow for Restaurants: The Basics

This section covers what ChowNow is and what setup and support you get as a restaurant owner or operator.

How does ChowNow work?

ChowNow makes it easy for restaurant owners and operators to boost takeout sales, increase profits, and build diner loyalty. All while keeping your restaurant’s brand front and center.

Restaurants can offer commission free online ordering through their own branded channels, like their website and branded mobile app. They can also encourage repeat business through automated marketing tools, and simplify takeout operations with order aggregation and centralized menu management.

• Commission free ordering means restaurants do not pay per order commissions to a marketplace provider.
• Order aggregation means managing orders from multiple channels in one place to reduce missed orders and tablet clutter.
• First party ordering means diners order directly from your restaurant’s owned channels instead of through a marketplace.

All of this is supported by customer support available 24/7 for restaurants and diners.

ChowNow at a glance

How long has ChowNow been in business?

ChowNow has been in business since 2011 and we’re proud to partner with thousands of restaurants nationwide. Check out our story here.

Does ChowNow have account managers?

Yes. Every restaurant gets paired with a Restaurant Success Manager as a single point of contact. They act as an online ordering coach and help with optimizations like:

• Strategy to promote online ordering with print and digital tools
• Analysis of customer ordering trends
• Recommendations to increase orders
• Menu strategy to grow ticket sizes

Do I own my customer data with ChowNow?

With ChowNow, you build a valuable database of customer information and ordering insights that you can use to increase repeat orders and ticket sizes. 

With your ChowNow customer database, you can:

• Identify your most valuable customers and keep them coming back
• See which ordering channels perform best and double down where it makes sense
• Use email marketing to communicate with customers and drive repeat business
• Optimize your menu to support upsells and prioritize higher margin items

We comply with data processing laws, do not sell data to third parties, and keep information secure. View our privacy policy here.

Want more repeat orders from the diners you already have? Download the our guide on increasing customer loyalty for practical ways to build loyalty without discounting yourself into a corner.

Frequently Asked Questions About ChowNow for Restaurants: Pricing and Payments

This section explains what you pay, how you get paid, and how fees work.

What does ChowNow charge restaurants?

Our pricing is predictable and commission free. Plans start at $199 per month, plus a standard processing fee of 2.95% + $0.29 per transaction. Flex Delivery orders are charged a flat rate per order. Full pricing options can be found here.

What results do restaurants typically see?

Results vary by concept, location, and how much you promote direct ordering, but restaurants typically use ChowNow to:

• Keep more profit per order by shifting repeat customers to direct channels
• Build a customer list they can actually market to
• Reduce operational friction with centralized tools

Want a real example? See how a restaurant grew direct orders here.

What’s ChowNow’s credit card fraud and chargeback policy for restaurants?

We offer credit card fraud and chargeback protection without limits. If your restaurant is subject to fraud, we cover the costs and work with the credit card company. If you get a chargeback, we cover it and communicate with the card company.

How often does ChowNow pay restaurants out?

Restaurant partners get next business day deposits every business day, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).

Should customers tip on ChowNow? Who gets the tip?

We certainly encourage it. On pickup orders, all tips go straight to the restaurant. For delivery, diners can tip both the driver and your restaurant staff.

Frequently Asked Questions About ChowNow for Restaurants: Ordering and Delivery

This section covers where diners can order and how delivery is handled. 

See how Yolk partnered with ChowNow to boost online revenue by 358% below.

Where can my customers order?

With ChowNow, customers can order from:

• Your website
• Your branded mobile apps for iPhone and Android
• The ChowNow app for iPhone and Android
• Your listings and profiles across popular sites including Google, Apple Maps, TripAdvisor, Yelp, Yahoo, Yellow Pages, Nextdoor, SinglePlatform, and Snap

You can also put your ordering link on your Facebook page, Instagram profile, emails, and anywhere else you want.

How fast can I launch online ordering?

Launch timing depends on your menu complexity, setup needs, and whether you want extras like a branded app or delivery. The good news is you are not left guessing. Your Restaurant Success Manager guides setup step by step so you can get live quickly and confidently.

Does ChowNow offer delivery?

Yes. With Flex Delivery, restaurants can offer delivery within a set radius for a flat rate per order. ChowNow partners with third party driver networks to support delivery coverage and dispatching, and you can also use Flex Delivery to expand the range of in house delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions About ChowNow for Restaurants: Marketing and Add-Ons

This section covers websites, loyalty, and ways to drive repeat orders.

What if my restaurant doesn’t have a website?

For restaurants without a website, or those looking to improve their current site, our experts will build, optimize, and launch a branded website for you. Templates come with built-in SEO features that help maximize visibility on search engines.

Does ChowNow have a loyalty program?

Yes. ChowNow offers a Rewards program designed to encourage direct repeat orders while protecting your margins. You can customize how diners earn rewards and what they unlock, and you can pair it with automated email marketing to keep regulars coming back.

Can ChowNow replace third party delivery apps?

ChowNow is built to help you grow direct ordering, but it does not have to be all or nothing. Many restaurants keep third party apps for discovery while pushing repeat customers to direct channels where they keep more profit and own the guest relationship. If you want to reduce tablet chaos while you do that, order aggregation can help you manage multiple channels in one place.

If you are comparing providers and want to see how ChowNow would look for your restaurant, book a demo and we will walk through ordering, payouts, and the setup with you.