Running a restaurant isn't easy.
You deal with rising food costs, staff shortages, online reviews, and customers who expect everything to be available with just a few taps on their phones.
Then comes another problem.
Third-party delivery apps.
Sure, they can bring in orders. But they also take a big bite out of your profits. Some platforms charge commissions that make you wonder if selling the food was even worth it.
That's exactly why many restaurant owners start looking at ChowNow.
But here's the real question:
Is ChowNow actually the right fit for your restaurant?
The answer isn't "yes" for everyone.
Some restaurants can save thousands of dollars every year with ChowNow. Others may not get enough value from it.
In this guide, we'll break everything down in simple words so you can decide whether ChowNow is a smart investment—or one you should skip.
👉 Want to see what ChowNow offers for restaurants? Explore the official platform here: ChowNow for Restaurants
What is ChowNow?
Unlike DoorDash or Uber Eats, ChowNow isn't trying to own your customers.
Instead, it helps restaurants create their own online ordering system.
That means customers can order directly from:
- Your restaurant website
- Your branded mobile app
- Apple Maps
- Yelp
-
ChowNow Marketplace
Instead of paying commission on every order, restaurants typically pay a flat subscription while keeping direct orders commission-free through their own channels. ChowNow also provides tools for marketing, customer management, POS integrations, loyalty programs, and more.
Why So Many Restaurants are Switching to ChowNow?
Let's be honest.
Every dollar matters.
Imagine selling a $50 meal.
If another platform keeps 25–30% of that order, you've already lost a big chunk before paying for food, staff, rent, and utilities.
That's why many independent restaurants prefer building direct ordering instead of depending only on third-party marketplaces.
ChowNow focuses on helping restaurants:
- Keep more profit
- Own customer information
- Build repeat customers
- Reduce commission costs
- Market directly through email and SMS
- Manage orders from one place
7 Signs Your Restaurant is a Great Fit for ChowNow
1. You Already Have Loyal Customers
This is probably the biggest sign.
If people already know your restaurant, they'll happily order directly from your website instead of another app.
Why?
Because they're ordering your food, not shopping for random restaurants.
If customers search for your restaurant by name, ChowNow makes direct ordering much easier.
That's where the biggest savings happen.
2. You're Tired of Paying Huge Commission Fees
Let's say you receive:
-
700 online orders every month
If another delivery app takes a large percentage from every order, those fees add up fast.
With ChowNow, direct orders through your website and supported channels are commission-free, helping you keep more revenue from those sales.
3. You Want Customers to Come Back Again
Many delivery apps keep customer information to themselves.
That means you don't really know who ordered.
ChowNow is different.
Restaurants can access customer data to:
- Send emails
- Offer discounts
- Launch loyalty rewards
- Promote new menu items
-
Encourage repeat orders
That's a huge advantage if your goal is building regular customers instead of one-time buyers.
👉 See how ChowNow helps restaurants build repeat business: Official ChowNow Platform
4. You Already Have a Website
If your restaurant website gets visitors every day, adding online ordering is much easier.
Instead of sending customers somewhere else...
...they simply order directly from you.
That creates a smoother experience and keeps your brand front and center.
Even if you don't have a website yet, ChowNow says its team can help restaurants build one.
5. You Want Better Control
Restaurant owners often complain about:
- changing menu prices
- updating photos
- limited branding
-
lack of customer ownership
ChowNow gives restaurants more control over pricing, branding, and customer relationships compared with relying only on third-party marketplaces.
6. You Use a Popular POS System
Nobody wants employees entering every order manually.
ChowNow integrates with many major POS systems, including Toast, Square, Clover, Revel, and others, helping streamline order management.
7. You're Thinking Long-Term
The biggest mistake restaurant owners make?
They focus only on today's orders.
Smart restaurant owners think about next year.
Ask yourself:
"How can I make customers order directly from me instead of paying another company forever?"
If that's your mindset...
You're probably the kind of restaurant ChowNow was built for.
When ChowNow Might NOT Be the Right Choice?
Let's keep this honest.
ChowNow isn't perfect for everyone.
Here are situations where another solution—or a combination of tools—might make more sense.
You're a Brand-New Restaurant
If nobody knows your restaurant yet, you may first need the visibility that large marketplaces provide.
Many new restaurants use both:
- Marketplace apps to get discovered
-
ChowNow to grow direct, repeat orders over time
Most Customers Find You Through Delivery Apps
If nearly every order comes from DoorDash or Uber Eats today, moving customers to direct ordering won't happen overnight.
You'll need to encourage customers to order directly through your own website with incentives, great service, and consistent marketing.
You Don't Want Monthly Software Costs
ChowNow uses subscription pricing rather than charging commissions on direct orders. That predictability is great for many restaurants, but it's still a recurring expense you should factor into your budget.
Biggest Benefits of ChowNow
Here's a quick summary.
✅ Commission-free direct online ordering
✅ Customer data belongs to your restaurant
✅ Email and SMS marketing tools
✅ Loyalty programs
✅ POS integrations
✅ Professional ordering website
✅ Branded mobile apps
✅ Google, Apple Maps, and Yelp ordering support
✅ Fraud and chargeback protection
Any Downsides?
Every platform has trade-offs.
Possible drawbacks include:
- Monthly subscription cost
- Building direct-order habits takes time
- Not a replacement for every delivery marketplace
-
Results depend on your marketing and customer base
For many restaurants, ChowNow works best as part of a broader strategy rather than the only source of online orders.
👉 Book a demo and see whether it's a fit for your restaurant: Get Started with ChowNow
Final Verdict: Is ChowNow Worth It?
If your restaurant already has loyal customers and you want to grow direct online ordering, ChowNow is definitely worth considering.
It's especially attractive if your goals are to:
- Keep more profit from online orders
- Build stronger relationships with customers
- Reduce dependence on high-commission marketplaces
- Own your customer data
-
Create repeat business through marketing and loyalty tools
On the other hand, if you're just opening your doors and need maximum exposure, you'll likely benefit from combining ChowNow with larger marketplace apps until your customer base grows.
The best approach is to think beyond today's orders. Building direct relationships with customers can create a stronger business over the long run.
👉 Ready to explore ChowNow for your restaurant? Visit the official website here: ChowNow Restaurant Solutions
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you sign up for ChowNow through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services I genuinely believe can help restaurant owners.
