Question 1

How does ChowNow work?

Accepted Answer

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 Email & SMS Marketing and rewards tools, and simplify takeout operations with order aggregation and centralized menu management.

Question 2

How long has ChowNow been in business?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

Does ChowNow have account managers?

Accepted Answer

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, trend analysis, order growth recommendations, and menu strategy.

Question 4

Do I own my customer data with ChowNow?

Accepted Answer

Yes. With ChowNow, you build a valuable database of customer information and ordering insights that you can use to increase repeat orders and ticket sizes. We comply with data processing laws, do not sell data to third parties, and keep information secure.

Question 5

What does ChowNow charge restaurants?

Accepted Answer

Our pricing is predictable and commission free. Plans start at $229 per month, plus a standard processing fee of 2.95% + $0.29 per transaction. Flex Delivery orders are charged a flat rate per order.

Question 6

What results do restaurants typically see?

Accepted Answer

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, and reduce operational friction with centralized tools.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

How often does ChowNow pay restaurants out?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

Should customers tip on ChowNow? Who gets the tip?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

Where can my customers order?

Accepted Answer

With ChowNow, customers can order from your website, your branded mobile apps for iPhone and Android, the ChowNow app, at the table via QR code, a dedicated catering ordering page, and your listings across popular sites including Google, Apple Maps, TripAdvisor, Yelp, Yahoo, Yellow Pages, Nextdoor, SinglePlatform, and Snap.

Question 11

How fast can I launch online ordering?

Accepted Answer

Launch timing depends on your menu complexity, setup needs, and whether you want extras like a branded app or delivery. Your Restaurant Success Manager guides setup step by step so you can get live quickly and confidently.

Question 12

Does ChowNow offer delivery?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

Does ChowNow offer tableside ordering?

Accepted Answer

Yes. QR Code Ordering lets diners scan a code at the table and order directly from your menu on their phone. Orders go straight to your kitchen with no server relay and no third-party app in the middle.

Question 14

What if my restaurant doesn’t have a website?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

Does ChowNow offer email and text marketing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Email & Text Marketing from ChowNow sends branded emails and SMS messages to your diner list with zero extra work from you. Every message drives diners back to your direct ordering page or app, not a third-party platform.

Question 16

Does ChowNow have a loyalty program?

Accepted Answer

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 Email & Text Marketing to keep regulars coming back.

Question 17

Can ChowNow replace third party delivery apps?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 18

Does ChowNow support catering orders?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ChowNow's catering tool gives you a dedicated ordering page on your website or branded app so diners can submit catering orders online. No more fielding calls, chasing down emails, or routing orders through a marketplace.

Question 19

How does catering ordering work with ChowNow?

Accepted Answer

Catering orders come into the same ChowNow dashboard as your takeout, so your team has one place to manage everything. You control the lead times, order minimums and maximums, and pick-up or delivery windows so your kitchen knows what's coming well before it arrives.

Question 20

What does ChowNow charge for catering orders?

Accepted Answer

ChowNow charges a 5% fee per catering order placed through your direct channel. For comparison, EzCater charges 7% for direct orders and up to 15% through their marketplace.

Question 21

Can I manage catering and takeout orders in the same place?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Catering orders and takeout orders both come into your ChowNow dashboard, so you're not running two separate systems. That consolidation makes it easier to staff, prep, and track revenue across both channels.

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