ChefMod
ChefMod is a comprehensive back-of-house management software providing independent restaurants and multi-unit groups with integrated purchasing, invoice processing, and inventory tools to reduce food costs and streamline operations.
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 | ChefMod | ChowNow |
|---|---|---|
| Website | chefmod.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 | 2005 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | New York, USA | Los Angeles, USA |
Overview
ChefMod
ChefMod provides a complete back-of-house solution designed to take the administrative burden off your culinary team. Instead of manual data entry, you get a managed service that handles your order placement, invoice processing, and vendor management. You can organize your entire purchasing lifecycle through a single portal, ensuring your chefs spend more time in the kitchen and less time behind a desk.
The platform solves the common headache of fluctuating food costs by providing real-time price tracking and spend analysis across all your locations. Whether you run a single boutique bistro or a growing multi-unit restaurant group, you can use these tools to maintain consistent margins and automate your financial reporting. It bridges the gap between your physical kitchen operations and your accounting office with seamless data flow.
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
ChefMod Features
- Managed Purchasing Place all your orders through a single interface to maintain strict control over your spending and vendor selections.
- Invoice Processing Let the system digitize and code your invoices automatically so you can eliminate manual data entry errors.
- Inventory Management Track your stock levels in real-time and calculate accurate food costs to identify waste and improve your margins.
- Recipe Costing Build detailed digital recipe books that update automatically as ingredient prices change to keep your menu profitable.
- Vendor Management Consolidate your supplier communications and payments into one workflow to simplify your weekly administrative tasks.
- Financial Reporting Generate instant reports on your spending patterns and price variances to make data-driven decisions for your business.
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
ChefMod 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
ChefMod
Pros
- Significantly reduces time spent on manual invoice entry
- Provides high-level visibility across multiple restaurant locations
- Managed service element acts like an extra employee
- Helps identify price discrepancies from suppliers instantly
Cons
- Requires a commitment to changing existing ordering habits
- Setup process takes time to map all ingredients
- Custom pricing makes it difficult to budget initially
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