ChowNow Business Model Explained- How to Launch Your Own Food Delivery App with ChowNow Clone

Restaurants these days want to maintain an online presence without paying heavy delivery charges to third-party online food delivery platforms like UberEats. That's where ChowNow comes into the spotlight. An online food ordering platform connects customers with restaurants nearby.

An easy-to-use platform gives restaurants complete ownership, helping them grow. If you're looking to try your hand at something similar, understanding the ChowNow business model can be a perfect starting point for you.

To help you, we've compiled everything related to the ChowNow business & revenue model in this blog content. It also shows how to launch your own food delivery app with an app like ChowNow.

What is ChowNow?

In 2011, Christopher Webb & Eric Jaffe, with other American entrepreneurs, started ChowNow. It's an online food ordering platform headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The ChowNow website was launched in 2012. Customers can even download the food delivery app from:

Launch with a simple aim of satisfying local restaurants' need to thrive online, without paying heavy delivery fees. The platform acts as a tech partner for local food delivery giants. A branded online ordering system, such as ChowNow, helps restaurants build their brand in exchange for a flat subscription fee.

The result: food business owners can keep their full commission. It helps you to maintain a strong online business presence and manage orders effectively from a single platform.

Major ChowNow’s Milestones

ChowNow’s story began when Christopher Webb and Eric Jaffe decided to solve a problem most restaurants face:

Small restaurants losing profits to food delivery platforms.

• March 2012: ChowNow was introduced at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago.
• 2013: The food delivery platform raised $4 million from investors along with Launchpad LA. It also secured $1 million from James Bailey, GRP Partners, & other angels.
• 2014–2017: ChowNow raised $20 million in a Series B from Catalyst Investors, bringing the funding to $40 million.
• 2016: Company launched Flex Delivery service with Uber and Postmates. It also partnered with Squarespace and introduced ordering via Google search results.
• 2018: An online food ordering platform added Instagram ordering. This enables customers to make orders from restaurant profiles.
• 2024: ChowNow acquired Cuboh, expanding its reach into integrated restaurant technology.

ChowNow and SoundHound AI, Inc. have teamed up on responsive restaurant call answering. The company has partnered with thousands of food owners across 50 United States, offering a branded alternative to third-party online ordering platforms.

What is ChowNow Clone?

A ready-to-launch food ordering solution that consists of similar functionalities to ChowNow is termed a ChowNow clone. An easy-to-customize platform puts a restaurant-first business model, giving food business owners full control. It enables you as a restaurant owner to manage orders, track profits, and more.

ChowNow Business Model Explained: How the Food Ordering Platform Works?

The meal ordering industry is dominated by major players like DoorDash & Grubhub. Most of the food delivery giants collect commissions from restaurants. However, the ChowNow business model differs, enabling restaurants to have complete control over online ordering.

Check more on how ChowNow works and enable restaurants to accept orders directly from their own branded channels.

• Restaurants join ChowNow by subscribing to its SaaS-based platform.
• Once subscribed, the restaurant uploads everything.
• ChowNow enables multi-channel ordering. Customers can place orders using the website or apps.
• Once the customer places an order:
• The online ordering system forwards the order to the restaurant.
• A partnered restaurant prepares the food.
• The restaurant communicates with the customer for delivery updates.
• The restaurant handles delivery instead of ChowNow.
• ChowNow collects valuable customer data to provide a personalized experience.

ChowNow Revenue Model Explained: How the Online Platform Works?

A ChowNow commission-free business model has helped the company to generate huge profits. The primary revenue source for ChowNow is:

• Subscription-based services
• Value-added solutions

Besides, ChowNow makes money in various ways. Let's break down each to find how you can generate revenue through the ChowNow clone script.

Subscription-Based Revenue

ChowNow operates on a subscription-based model. Restaurants have to pay monthly or annual fees to access the platform. Instead of paying a percentage for every order, restaurants have to pay a fixed price, helping the company make a high profit.

White-Label Technology Services

An online ordering and delivery platform helps you generate revenue from its white-label solutions. ChowNow might charge setup fees for custom branding & development. Besides the subscription fee, the company can make money by offering customization and tech support.

Promotion Services

ChowNow helps restaurants grow online by offering marketing services. These optional services help the company to generate extra revenue while providing tangible value to partner restaurants.

Delivery Integration Fees

By partnering with third-party delivery services like Uber Direct, ChowNow has eliminated the delivery fleet. Postmates and other delivery service providers like DoorDash Drive help the company decrease operational costs while completing deliveries on time.

ChowNow can charge service or integration fees from restaurants that choose Flex Delivery. This approach enables an online ordering platform to expand its service offerings without investing in its own logistics network.

Analytics & Customer Data Services

Food business owners receive detailed customer insights when they partner with ChowNow. An online ordering platform receives details like:

• Order history
• Preferences
• Behavioral trends

ChowNow provides premium analytics packages for an additional fee. A restaurant can use this data to run targeted marketing campaigns and other programs.

Why is the ChowNow Business Model Successful?

The food ordering and delivery is evolving rapidly due to increasing demand for convenience. But restaurants lose their profits paying hefty delivery charges to DoorDash and UberEats. They charge almost 15 to 30% of the delivery charges. ChowNow differs as it provides a complete order to its customers.

To save on delivery charges, many restaurants are choosing to invest in food ordering app development. Following a similar approach to ChowNow helps eliminate paying heavy delivery charges, especially when every dollar matters. Custom-branded websites and mobile apps help you build brand recognition.

Restaurants with the ChowNow clone app can collect orders from anywhere. This provides convenience to customers to get their favourite meals delivered right from the comfort of their sofas. It also facilitates brands like yours to make more money.

A feature-rich ChowNow clone script helps restaurants maximize visibility without paying extra marketing costs. With an "asset-light" approach similar to ChowNow, you can focus on making a profit. A food delivery app enables you to have complete control over your customer data, helping you gain more repeat buyers.

How to Launch Your Own Food Ordering Platform with a ChowNow Clone?

The rise of ChowNow proves that restaurants and customers want convenience. These encouraged many owners to invest in food ordering app development and launch a perfect solution that helps them thrive in the market.

This is where the ChowNow clone script comes into the spotlight.

Ready-to-launch platform comes with all functionalities similar to ChowNow, allowing you to collect and manage orders effectively. Let's check on a step-by-step guide on how you can launch your own ChowNow clone right here:

Identify Your Niche

Before investing in food delivery app development, you need to know:

• Who is your target audience?
• Will you partner with an independent local restaurant?
• Are your areas limited, or are you looking to serve globally?

Also, find out how you can implement the ChowNow business model like approach to your online food business, to achieve success. Understanding your niche and other things can help you customize the features of your food delivery app.

Choose Your Business Model

You can consider the subscription-based ChowNow business model or another one for your food ordering system. You can even consider other revenue models like:

• Monthly/annual subscription
• Setup fees
• Marketing & analytics services
• Delivery integration fees

The restaurant-friendly ChowNow business model can help you focus on bringing more profit to your table. This also helps you attract loyal customers.

Develop a White-Label Platform

With the ChowNow clone script, you get your branded applications and websites. All the components and functionalities of an app like ChowNow help you manage your food delivery business more effectively.

Integrate Delivery Options

ChowNow does not handle delivery itself; you can even follow the same flexible approach for your ChowNow clone app. The integrated tracking system of a food delivery app helps you complete orders on time. It helps you scale by offering full convenience to diners.

Launch and Iterate

Launching a ready-made ChowNow clone app is a smart choice. But you also need to educate your targeted audience about your food ordering and delivery platform. You can launch your app like ChowNow for a small group or beta test to collect valuable feedback. This, in the end, helps you optimize your platform for a better user experience.

Promoting & Scaling

Launching your ChowNow clone script is not enough; it's also important to market it effectively. Ensure to scale smoothly as your on-demand food business grows. Keep updates with the food ordering app development to meet the continuously growing demand of customers.

Why Should Entrepreneurs Consider a ChowNow Clone Script?

A ChowNow business model-inspired app helps you fill the gap in the market. It offers restaurants complete control, which aggregator-based delivery applications fail to provide. With the ChowNow clone app, you can:

• Eliminate paying a high food delivery app development cost
• Attract more restaurants with a commission-free model
• Get complete ownership of your digital presence
• More subscriptions with the SaaS model
• Flexible monetization

ChowNow Business Model: Why Consider it for Food Delivery App Development?

The ChowNow business model demonstrates that a commission-free platform is a winner in the food delivery space. Investing in a ChowNow clone helps you launch a platform that benefits restaurants and customers.

Investing in food ordering app development helps you enter the profitable delivery market. With the right technology and flexible delivery system, you can focus on business growth. A ChowNow clone script helps you generate predictable recurring revenue. Reach out to our team at [email protected] with your requirements, and we will try to satisfy them all with our on-demand app development services.

Let's not wait to tap into the growing online food ordering business. Build a ChowNow-style ordering platform today with White Label Fox.

Get Your Queries Solved

1. What makes the ChowNow business model a viable option to go ahead with?

The commission-free ChowNow business model makes it a go-to option to move ahead with. Instead of receiving fees for each delivery, an app similar to ChowNow generates revenue from a subscription fee. This approach helps to maximize business revenue and develop strong relationships with your targeted audience.

2. How long will food ordering app development take?

The timeline for food delivery app development differs based on a lot of factors such as UI/UX complexity, functionalities & API integration, and customization. A feature-rich ChowNow-like app helps you build an online presence in 4 to 5 working days. But when it comes to customization, the timeline expands. Discuss your food delivery app development needs with us at [email protected], and we will get back to you with the estimated time required for your project.

3. Is the ChowNow clone script worth it for my small restaurant business?

Yes, no matter what size food business you own, the ChowNow clone app is worth investing in. This cost-effective solution provides you with complete control over your business activities and saves a huge amount on heavy third-party delivery charges.

4. How can I make money through a ChowNow clone app?

With the ChowNow clone script, you can save on third-party delivery charges. Moreover, an app like ChowNow provides you with various revenue sources, including setup charges, subscription fees, money through marketing services, and transaction fees. There are many more ways to bring more money to your table with a platform similar to ChowNow. In short, investment for all-time profit.

5. Can I integrate delivery services into the ChowNow clone?

Yes. We can integrate delivery services like Postmates and Uber Direct into your ChowNow clone app. You can even choose to self-deliver the food and more to your customers' demand.

6. Who can benefit from an app similar to ChowNow?

A ChowNow clone script is beneficial for various businesses, such as cloud kitchens, independent restaurants, local cafes, multi-location restaurants or franchises, and entrepreneurs looking to create a food delivery platform. No matter what type of food delivery business you've, you can launch successfully with an easy-to-use ChowNow-like platform.

7. Can I scale the ChowNow like app as my business grows?

Of course. A ChowNow-like solution is built to grow with your business. It helps you manage your platform from a single platform. The food ordering platform can be scaled as your customers and data grow.

8. Does a ChowNow clone provide analytics reports?

You get a complete analytics report with the ChowNow clone. This helps you have insight into the number of orders completed, profit made, etc. Having insight can boost data-driven decision-making, which ultimately affects your business's profit.

9. Can I add & update the menu using the ChowNow clone script?

Yes. A feature-rich ChowNow clone makes it easier for you to change your menu whenever you want. You can add new items, update prices, change visuals, etc, right through a single platform. Easy customization not only helps you build a strong brand identity but also helps to provide a unique customer experience.

10. How can a food ordering platform help me retain customers?

A delivery platform like ChowNow provides direct access to your customers' data. Having complete data access = a personalized marketing campaign. Offering what your customers love will help you keep them coming back.