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.
Yelp Guest Manager
Yelp Guest Manager is an all-in-one front-of-house solution that helps restaurants manage reservations, waitlists, and table seating while leveraging Yelp's massive audience to fill more tables.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ChowNow | Yelp Guest Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Website | chownow.com | guestmanager.yelp.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $99/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 2004 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, USA | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
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.
Yelp Guest Manager
Yelp Guest Manager simplifies your front-of-house operations by combining reservations, waitlist management, and table mapping into a single iPad-based interface. You can replace paper logs and clunky hardware with a digital system that tracks every diner from the moment they book until they pay their check. By integrating directly with the Yelp app, you gain access to millions of hungry diners who can see your real-time availability and join your waitlist remotely.
You can reduce no-shows with automated SMS reminders and provide accurate wait times using AI-powered estimations. The platform also helps you build a loyal customer base by capturing diner preferences and visit history automatically. Whether you run a high-volume bistro or a quiet neighborhood spot, you can optimize your floor plan and pace your kitchen more effectively to increase your daily covers.
Overview
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.
Yelp Guest Manager Features
- Remote Waitlist. Let your guests join the waitlist from anywhere via the Yelp app so they don't crowd your host stand.
- Direct Reservations. Accept bookings directly through your Yelp business page and website without paying high per-cover commission fees.
- Two-Way SMS. Text your guests when their table is ready and allow them to confirm or cancel via mobile messaging.
- Digital Floor Map. Design your custom restaurant layout and track table statuses in real-time to turn tables faster and seat guests efficiently.
- Predictive Wait Times. Give your guests accurate seating estimates based on live restaurant data and historical trends to improve their experience.
- Diner Profiles. Track guest preferences, allergies, and visit frequency to provide personalized service that keeps people coming back.
Pricing Comparison
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
Yelp Guest Manager Pricing
- Digital waitlist
- Yelp App integration
- Automated SMS notifications
- Basic guest profiles
- Predictive wait times
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Online reservations
- Full table management
- Custom floor map
- Advanced guest analytics
- POS integrations
Pros & Cons
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
Yelp Guest Manager
Pros
- Massive exposure to diners already using the Yelp app
- Significantly reduces no-shows with automated text reminders
- User-friendly iPad interface requires very little staff training
- Eliminates expensive per-cover fees found in other platforms
Cons
- Monthly subscription cost is higher than some basic competitors
- Requires a reliable internet connection to sync waitlists
- Limited customization for highly complex multi-room layouts