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.
MarketMan
MarketMan is an all-in-one restaurant inventory management software that automates back-of-house operations by streamlining procurement, tracking food costs, and managing recipes to help you increase your profitability.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ChowNow | MarketMan |
|---|---|---|
| Website | chownow.com | marketman.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $179/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 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, USA | New York, 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.
MarketMan
MarketMan is a dedicated back-of-house solution designed to give you complete control over your restaurant's inventory and procurement. You can automate your entire ordering process, track every ingredient from delivery to plate, and monitor real-time COGS to protect your margins. By digitizing invoices and managing recipes, you eliminate manual data entry and gain clear visibility into where your money is going.
The platform is built for restaurant owners, managers, and chefs across single-location spots or large multi-unit franchises. You can integrate it directly with your POS system to see exactly how your sales impact your stock levels. Whether you are trying to reduce food waste or streamline supplier communication, MarketMan provides the tools to run a leaner, more profitable kitchen operation.
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.
MarketMan Features
- Automated Ordering. Set your par levels and generate purchase orders automatically when stock runs low so you never run out of key ingredients.
- Invoice Scanning. Snap photos of delivery invoices with your phone to automatically update prices and inventory levels without manual data entry.
- Recipe Costing. Break down the exact cost of every menu item to identify high-margin dishes and adjust your pricing for maximum profit.
- Waste Tracking. Log spills, spoilage, and mistakes in real-time to identify patterns and reduce unnecessary food waste across your kitchen.
- Supplier Management. Centralize all your vendors in one place to compare prices, track deliveries, and manage communications from a single dashboard.
- POS Integration. Connect your sales data to your inventory to see theoretical versus actual usage and spot discrepancies immediately.
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
MarketMan Pricing
- Inventory management
- Purchasing & ordering
- Expense tracking
- Recipe costing
- Menu profitability
- Mobile app access
- Everything in Operator, plus:
- Invoice scanning (OCR)
- Advanced reporting
- Production management
- Transfers between locations
- Priority support
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
MarketMan
Pros
- Mobile invoice scanning saves hours of manual entry
- Real-time visibility into food cost fluctuations
- Seamless integration with popular POS systems
- Centralized ordering simplifies multi-vendor communication
- Detailed reporting helps identify hidden waste
Cons
- Initial setup requires significant time investment
- Mobile app interface can feel slightly cluttered
- Learning curve for building complex recipes
- Occasional sync delays with certain POS providers