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.
Lavu
Lavu is a mobile point-of-sale software designed specifically for restaurants and bars to streamline ordering, manage inventory, and process payments through an intuitive iPad-based interface.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ChowNow | Lavu |
|---|---|---|
| Website | chownow.com | lavu.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $59/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 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, USA | Albuquerque, 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.
Lavu
Lavu provides you with a comprehensive iPad POS system built specifically for the unique demands of the food and beverage industry. Whether you run a high-volume nightclub, a cozy coffee shop, or a full-service restaurant, you can manage your entire front-of-house and back-of-house operations from a single platform. The software replaces bulky traditional registers with sleek tablets that allow your staff to take orders tableside and send them instantly to the kitchen.
You can track your inventory levels in real-time, manage employee schedules, and access detailed sales reports from any device with an internet connection. By integrating payment processing directly into the workflow, you reduce manual entry errors and speed up the checkout process for your customers. It is designed to scale with your business, supporting everything from single-location startups to multi-unit franchises with centralized management tools.
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.
Lavu Features
- Mobile Tableside Ordering. Take orders directly at the table using iPads to increase accuracy and get food to your customers faster.
- Real-Time Inventory Tracking. Monitor your stock levels down to the ingredient level so you never run out of best-selling items unexpectedly.
- Customizable Menu Management. Update your prices, add seasonal specials, and configure complex modifiers across all your devices in seconds.
- Integrated Credit Card Processing. Accept all major payment types securely with flat-rate processing that eliminates hidden fees and simplifies reconciliation.
- Advanced Reporting Suite. Access over 50 different reports to analyze labor costs, sales trends, and top-performing menu items from anywhere.
- Employee Management Tools. Track staff hours with a built-in clock-in system and manage shift schedules to keep your labor costs under control.
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
Lavu Pricing
- Single terminal access
- Full POS functionality
- Standard reporting
- 24/7 customer support
- Menu management
- Employee management
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Multiple terminal support
- Advanced inventory tracking
- Cash management tools
- Gift card integration
- Loyalty program access
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
Lavu
Pros
- Intuitive interface makes staff training quick and easy
- Extensive customization options for complex restaurant menus
- Reliable offline mode keeps you taking orders during outages
- Strong reporting tools provide deep insights into profitability
Cons
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
- Software updates occasionally cause temporary stability issues
- Proprietary hardware requirements can increase initial setup costs