Apicbase
Apicbase is a comprehensive food and beverage management platform that helps multi-unit restaurants and hotel chains centralize back-of-house operations like inventory, recipes, and procurement to increase margins.
ChowNow
ChowNow is an online ordering and marketing platform that helps independent restaurants build their own branded digital storefronts to take commission-free orders directly from their customers.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Apicbase | ChowNow |
|---|---|---|
| Website | apicbase.com | chownow.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2017 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Antwerp, Belgium | Los Angeles, USA |
Overview
Apicbase
Apicbase is a back-of-house management platform designed to give you total control over your food and beverage operations. Instead of relying on messy spreadsheets, you can centralize your recipes, inventory, and procurement in one digital hub. This allows you to track ingredient costs in real-time and ensure every plate served across multiple locations meets your exact standards for quality and profitability.
You can eliminate manual data entry by connecting your point-of-sale systems directly to your inventory, which automatically updates stock levels as you sell. The platform helps you reduce food waste by providing accurate demand forecasting and automated ordering tools. Whether you manage a single high-end restaurant or a global hotel chain, you can use these insights to protect your margins and scale your culinary operations consistently.
ChowNow
ChowNow provides you with the tools to take control of your restaurant's digital presence and eliminate high third-party delivery fees. You can launch your own branded ordering system across your website, social media profiles, and a custom-built mobile app. This allows you to keep 100% of your profits on every order while capturing valuable customer data that third-party apps usually keep for themselves.
The platform focuses on sustainable growth by providing you with automated marketing tools and a dedicated success manager to help increase your order volume. Whether you run a single local eatery or a growing regional chain, you can manage your entire digital menu and track sales performance through a centralized dashboard. It integrates directly with your existing POS system to keep your kitchen operations running smoothly without manual data entry.
Overview
Apicbase Features
- Recipe Management Centralize your recipes with precise ingredient scaling and automatic cost calculations to ensure consistent margins across all locations.
- Inventory Tracking Monitor your stock levels in real-time with automated deductions based on sales data from your integrated POS system.
- Procurement Automation Generate and send purchase orders directly to your suppliers based on actual stock needs and historical consumption patterns.
- Menu Engineering Analyze the profitability and popularity of your dishes to identify your stars and dogs for better menu design.
- Waste Management Record and categorize food waste to identify patterns, improve portion control, and significantly reduce your environmental footprint.
- Nutritional Analysis Automatically calculate allergens and nutritional values for your entire menu to stay compliant with local food labeling regulations.
ChowNow Features
- Commission-Free Ordering. Keep every dollar you earn from your online orders instead of paying 15-30% in fees to third-party delivery platforms.
- Branded Mobile Apps. Launch your own custom-branded iOS and Android apps so your customers can order directly from their home screens.
- OrderBetter Network. Get discovered by new diners through a network of high-traffic sites like Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor with integrated ordering.
- Automated Marketing. Send automated email campaigns and push notifications to your customers to drive repeat business and increase order frequency.
- POS Integrations. Sync your online orders directly with your existing point-of-sale system to eliminate manual entry and reduce kitchen errors.
- Customer Data Ownership. Access your own customer database including email addresses and order history to power your personalized marketing efforts.
Pricing Comparison
Apicbase Pricing
ChowNow Pricing
- Commission-free ordering
- Ordering on your website
- Google Search & Maps ordering
- Digital menu management
- Standard payment processing
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Custom-branded mobile app
- Automated email marketing
- Dedicated Success Manager
- Loyalty program tools
- Advanced data reporting
Pros & Cons
Apicbase
Pros
- Excellent visibility into real-time food costs
- Streamlines communication between the kitchen and procurement
- Highly accurate inventory tracking across multiple sites
- Professional recipe photos and documentation features
Cons
- Initial data entry for recipes is time-consuming
- Mobile app functionality is limited compared to desktop
- Steep learning curve for staff during implementation
ChowNow
Pros
- Eliminates expensive per-order commissions entirely
- Provides full ownership of customer contact data
- Responsive customer support and dedicated success managers
- Easy-to-use interface for updating menus quickly
Cons
- Initial setup fees can be high
- Requires your own staff for local delivery
- Limited customization options for the mobile app