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.
Handwrytten
Handwrytten is a robotic handwriting service that allows you to send personalized, pen-written notes and greeting cards directly from your computer or CRM to improve customer engagement.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ChowNow | Handwrytten |
|---|---|---|
| Website | chownow.com | handwrytten.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has 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 | 2011 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, USA | Phoenix, 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.
Handwrytten
Handwrytten helps you scale the personal touch of a handwritten note without picking up a pen. By using custom-designed robots that hold real pilot G2 pens, the platform transforms your digital text into physical mail that looks and feels authentic. You can choose from dozens of handwriting styles or even have your own handwriting digitized for a truly personal signature on every piece of mail you send.
Whether you are thanking a customer for a purchase, following up on a sales lead, or sending holiday cards to your entire database, you can automate the process entirely. The platform integrates directly with your existing tools like Salesforce and HubSpot, allowing you to trigger physical mail based on digital actions. It is an ideal solution for sales teams, real-estate agents, and non-profits who want to stand out in a crowded digital inbox.
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.
Handwrytten Features
- Robotic Handwriting. Send notes written by robots using real ink pens that create natural variations in pressure and style for total authenticity.
- Custom Handwriting Styles. Choose from over 30 unique handwriting styles or pay a one-time fee to digitize your own personal handwriting and signature.
- CRM Integrations. Connect your CRM to trigger handwritten notes automatically when a deal closes, a birthday arrives, or a new lead signs up.
- Bulk Sending. Upload a spreadsheet of contacts and send hundreds of personalized notes at once without spending hours writing them by hand.
- Insert Business Cards. Include your own business cards, gift cards, or custom inserts inside your envelopes to drive more value from every mailing.
- Mobile App Access. Draft and send handwritten notes directly from your iPhone or Android device while you are traveling or between meetings.
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
Handwrytten Pricing
- No monthly commitment
- Access to all handwriting styles
- Standard card pricing
- Full CRM integration access
- Mobile app usage
- Bulk upload capabilities
- Everything in Pay-As-You-Go, plus:
- Discounted card pricing
- Monthly card credits
- Reduced rates on bulk orders
- Priority processing
- Rollover credits
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
Handwrytten
Pros
- High open rates compared to traditional direct mail
- Authentic look that is difficult to distinguish from human writing
- Seamless integration with popular platforms like Zapier and Shopify
- Wide variety of high-quality card designs available
Cons
- International postage can be expensive for global campaigns
- Custom handwriting digitization requires a significant upfront fee
- Limited control over exact character spacing in some styles