Are You Interested In Creating A Food Sharing App Like ChowNow?

Do you know that ChowNow generates a revenue of $42 to $93 million annually?

Restaurants in the US and Canada are readily choosing ChowNow over other food delivery apps. The reason is quite simple—fewer commissions, which means more revenue for the restaurant businesses. The popularity of ChowNow has encouraged other entrepreneurs to hire the best app development firms and build a similar food delivery app.

However, before you set your mind on building a similar food app, you should do an in-depth analysis of ChowNow. What are its key features? How does it generate revenue? How is ChowNow different from others? Why are restaurants choosing ChowNow? What is their USP and how is it attracting restaurant owners?

This blog does a rigorous audit of ChowNow’s business model so that you get clarity on how this app functions. This knowledge will help you formulate a roadmap for building an app like ChowNow and help you plan its value proposition, user acquisition, app functionalities, and, most importantly, how to capture the competitive market of food delivery apps.

What Is the ChowNow App?

ChowNow is a food delivery platform that enables restaurants to build their custom food ordering system. However, its business model is different from other food apps on the market, which is its USP.

From the customer’s perspective, you use ChowNow as you use UberEats or DoorDash. But when you get into the restaurant’s perspective, several things change for the better.

Firstly, ChowNow doesn’t charge commissions from restaurants like other apps. Usually, apps charge 20% to 40% commissions from restaurants, which puts a heavy toll on their revenue. However, ChowNow employs a subscription-based model where restaurants pay a certain amount monthly or annually for using ChowNow services. This puts more money into the restaurant owners’ pockets and supports their growth.

Secondly, ChowNow doesn’t have its delivery drivers, as it is not exactly a food delivery service app. What you need to understand about ChowNow is that it’s more like a middleman that helps restaurants with tools and tech stack for setting up their food ordering system.

Restaurants can customize their food ordering interface with POS integrations, centralized menu management, and website ordering. They can hire their delivery drivers and tailor the ordering system as per their requirements. Plus, it also enables restaurants to build their branded app and restaurant website, helping them attract, convert, and retain customers. Restaurants can even run and track their marketing campaigns from the ChowNow platform.

ChowNow saves restaurants from juggling between different food delivery apps and their high fees. It gives them the flexibility to build their ordering app, enhance their brand positioning, market effectively, and increase revenue substantially.

What Is The Value Proposition Of ChowNow?

ChowNow sets itself apart from other food delivery service platforms by introducing:

• Commission-free business model: Unlike popular apps, ChowNow doesn’t charge heavy commissions on each order. Instead, they have a subscription model that enables restaurants to keep a larger part of their revenue.

• Custom Branding: Restaurants can get a custom app and website that boosts their brand image and helps them offer personalized user experiences.

• Integration Flexibility: Businesses can easily integrate their existing POS with the ChowNow platform, enabling them to manage orders and payments.

• Marketing Support: The platform emphasizes strengthening local small restaurants by offering them marketing tools and support to attract an audience.

Key Features of a Food Delivery App Like ChowNow

An app is known for the features it offers to its users. If you want to build a food sharing app like ChowNow, you must get an idea about its key features so that your app is enjoyable, responsive, and user-friendly. Here are some notable features of ChowNow.

Restaurant Management Dashboard

• Order management: Offer restaurants tools to customize their food ordering system.

• Menu management: Enables restaurants to optimize the menu by adding, removing, and updating menu items easily.

• Delivery coordination: Hire delivery riders and coordinate and manage them effortlessly.

• Analytics and reports: View sales reports, marketing performance, customer insights, feedback, inventory, and more on one dashboard.

• Marketing monitoring: Track loyalty programs, monitor campaigns, and execute marketing strategies to attract and engage customers.

• Order monitoring: Provides restaurants with an easy-to-use interface to track and manage all orders.

• Payments and commissions: Receive payments from customers, manage platform commissions, and handle rider payments hassle-free.

• Promotions: Plan, run, and track promotions and campaigns across the restaurant app and website.

• Driver assignment: Automatically assign orders to drivers based on their proximity and availability.

User Interface Features

• Account creation: Allows users to create their account on the platform using Gmail, phone number, or social media profile.

• Advanced search: Enable users to search for restaurants, cuisines, or dishes based on their location.

• Order tracking: Track the status of the order from preparation to delivery.

• Menu browsing: Browse the restaurant menu and add items to the cart.

• Multiple payment gateways: Offer users several payment options to easily pay for their orders.

• Order history: Users can view their order history and repeat orders.

• Reviews & ratings: Customers can rate and give their feedback on the restaurants they have ordered from.

• Push notifications: Allows users to stay up-to-date with the latest offers, order status, and account setting changes.

Driver Management Features

• Driver registration: Enables riders to register on the platform and verify their details.

• GPS navigation: Allows drivers to easily locate the destination and deliver orders faster.

• Earnings: Show the driver’s total orders completed and earnings generated from them.

• Support: Enable riders to connect with users via chat or call

What Is The Business Model of Food Delivery App ChowNow?

Restaurants in Los Angeles have witnessed a 25% increase in their revenue within 3 months of using the ChowNow platform. Another survey shows that restaurant owners can save up to $30,000 annually by choosing the subscription model of the ChowNow platform.

ChowNow is supporting restaurant businesses by:

• Eliminating commission models from delivery apps.

• Offering cost-effective subscription rates.

• Providing tools to customize their online order system, app, and website.

• Giving them flexibility to manage their orders and riders as they want

Unlike other food delivery apps, ChowNow doesn’t take commissions on each order. Instead, it has a monthly subscription plan depending on the features or services you will use.

• ChowNow Pro starts at $199 per month, offering features like direct website ordering, order better network, automated email marketing, a dedicated success manager, flex delivery, a ChowNow app, and a restaurant website.

• Restaurants can get a Premier pack at $298 monthly with advanced features like POS integration, order aggregation, centralized menu management, and reporting.

• Restaurants also have lower subscription plans ($119, $169 & $229) under ChowNow Hub to manage all your 3rd party delivery orders from a single, unified platform.

Why Invest in Building a Food Delivery App Like ChowNow?

Building a food delivery app like ChowNow can be a strategic and profitable venture. Here are some reasons why:

• You will get a competitive edge in the food app market, as most of the popular apps are alike and offer similar commission-based models and features.

• By offering a subscription business model, you will attract a huge base of small local restaurants who cannot afford the heavy commissions of the popular apps.

• Also, you can easily generate revenue with subscription models, branding features, advertising, loyalty programs, marketing tools, and others.

• There is a substantial market growth predicted for the food delivery app industry, estimated to reach $277.1 billion by 2029.

• Moreover, a market survey shows that there is a huge shift in customer behavior towards online food ordering, with 60% of people in the US placing online orders twice a week.

• Further, 57% of millennials prefer having meals delivered at home rather than going to a restaurant. While 55% of individuals in the age group 18-25 have developed a strong tendency towards online ordering in the past year.

These are not just numbers but proof of a strong market trend toward food apps. The market needs more online food ordering platforms that offer unique features in the interest of both users and restaurant businesses.

Conclusion

Building a food delivery app like ChowNow requires strategic planning and attention to detail. By prioritizing user-friendly features, selecting the right technology, and implementing effective monetization strategies, you can develop an app that stands out in a competitive market.

However, you will need a tech partner to make this dream come true.

If you’re ready to build your own food delivery app, our custom app development services can get your app live in 12 weeks. Get in touch with us today!