Looking for a better way to increase your online orders? Say goodbye to ChowNow and explore these 5 fantastic options that can help your restaurant grow.
Key Takeaways
- ChowNow is helpful but might not meet all your needs, especially if you want to attract more customers and simplify your work.
- Fleksa is the top pick, offering many features like a user-friendly website, better visibility on Google, easy online ordering, table reservations, commission-free delivery, integration with other services, POS connections, and QR code ordering in your restaurant—all for a flat $99 per month with no setup fee.
- Other platforms like Owner.com and Bentobox also offer unique tools that might suit your restaurant, but they come with different pricing structures.
Running a restaurant isn’t easy, and finding the right tools can make a big difference. ChowNow has been a popular choice for online ordering without high fees, but maybe it’s time for something more.
If you’re aiming to get more customers, make online ordering smoother, or just want a platform that fits your restaurant better, there are other options to consider.
In this article, we’ll explore five excellent alternatives to ChowNow. Each one offers different features to help you increase your online orders and make your customers happy. We’ll also dive deep into the benefits of Fleksa and discuss pricing details to help you make the best choice for your restaurant.
Why Look for Alternatives to ChowNow?
While ChowNow provides basic online ordering, many restaurant owners have found reasons to seek other solutions:
1. Hard to Be Found on Google
ChowNow sometimes redirects customers to their own site to complete orders. This can hurt your website’s ranking on Google, making it harder for new customers to find you.
2. Limited Marketing Tools
In today’s world, simply sending emails isn’t enough. Restaurants need advanced tools like text message marketing, loyalty programs, and smart suggestions to encourage customers to order more.
3. Complicated Customer Experience
Some users have found ChowNow’s ordering process confusing, which can lead to lost orders and unhappy customers.
Our Top Picks for ChowNow Alternatives
We’ve selected these platforms because they offer useful tools for restaurant owners. Here’s our list:
🏆 Best Overall: Fleksa: Complete Restaurant OS
Price: Flat $99 per month, no setup fee
Fleksa provides everything you need in one place, like a modern website, improved Google rankings, seamless online ordering, table reservations, and more—all for an affordable flat rate with no hidden costs.
🍽️ Best for Easy Marketing: Owner.com
Price: Starting at $500 per month plus a 5% transaction fee, no setup fee
Owner.com helps you get more online orders with smart marketing tools and an easy-to-use website but comes at a higher monthly cost with additional transaction fees.
🍷 Best for Upscale Restaurants: Bentobox
Price: Plans starting around $149 per month, setup fee may apply
Bentobox offers beautiful website designs and tools perfect for fine dining establishments, but be aware that there might be a setup fee involved.
1. Fleksa
Best All-in-One Solution for Restaurants
Fleksa is like a complete toolkit for restaurants. It helps you create a great website, rank higher on Google so more people find you, and makes online ordering and reservations easy.
Price: Flat $99 per month, no setup fee
Key Features of Fleksa:
- Improved Google Rankings (SEO): Helps your restaurant show up higher in search results, attracting more customers.
- Integrated Online Ordering: Customers can place orders directly on your website without being redirected elsewhere.
- Table Reservations: Easily manage bookings and table availability.
- Commission-Free Delivery: Keep all your profits from delivery orders without paying extra fees.
- Google Ordering Integration: Allows customers to order directly through Google.
- Third-Party Integrations: Connects smoothly with other apps and services you might already use.
- POS Integration: Syncs with your Point of Sale system to keep everything organized.
- QR Code Ordering: Let customers order from their table using their smartphones.
Why Fleksa is the Best Choice
Affordable and Transparent Pricing: With Fleksa’s flat rate of $99 per month and no setup fees, you know exactly what you’re paying every month. There are no hidden costs or surprise charges.
Boost Your Online Visibility: By improving your search rankings on Google, Fleksa helps more people find your restaurant. This means more potential customers visiting your website and placing orders.
All-in-One Platform: Fleksa combines multiple tools into one easy-to-use platform. Manage your website, online orders, reservations, and marketing all in one place. This saves you time and reduces the hassle of dealing with multiple vendors.
Enhance Customer Experience: With features like integrated online ordering and QR code menus, your customers will find it easy and convenient to order from you, whether they’re at home or dining in.
Benefits of Using Fleksa:
- Keep More of Your Profits: No commission fees on delivery orders mean more money stays in your pocket.
- Easy Setup and Management: Get started quickly without any setup fees, and manage everything from a user-friendly dashboard.
- Support When You Need It: Fleksa offers customer support to help you with any questions or issues.
- Stay Ahead of Competitors: With better SEO and a modern website, you’ll stand out from other restaurants in your area.
What Restaurant Owners Say About Fleksa
“Switching to Fleksa was the best decision we made. Our online orders have doubled, and managing reservations is so easy now. Plus, the flat monthly fee fits our budget perfectly.” — Maria, Bistro Cafe
2. Owner.com
Best for Boosting Online Orders with Smart Marketing
Owner.com helps restaurants increase their online orders using advanced marketing tools and a user-friendly website.
Price: Starting at $500 per month plus a 5% transaction fee, no setup fee (source: quora)
Key Features:
- SEO-Optimized Websites: Helps your restaurant appear higher in search results.
- Automated Marketing: Sends emails and text messages to keep customers engaged.
- Smart Upselling: Suggests additional items to customers to increase order value.
- Branded Mobile App: Provides your own app for customers to order easily.
- Loyalty Program: Rewards customers to encourage repeat business.
Why Owner.com is a Good Option
Owner.com focuses on converting website visitors into paying customers. Their marketing tools help you reach out to customers effectively, encouraging them to order more often. However, the higher monthly cost and transaction fees might be a consideration for some restaurants.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Helps significantly increase online orders
- Advanced marketing and customer engagement tools
- No setup fee
Cons:
- Higher monthly cost of $500 plus a 5% transaction fee
- Less flexibility in customizing website design
- Fewer integrations compared to other platforms
3. Bentobox
Best for Upscale Restaurants and Fine Dining
Bentobox specializes in creating elegant websites that reflect the unique atmosphere of high-end restaurants.
Price: Plans starting around $149 per month, Plus High start fee
Key Features:
- Custom Website Design: Creates a website that showcases your restaurant’s style.
- Event Management: Tools to promote and manage special events.
- Gift Card Integration: Easily sell and manage gift cards.
- Catering Orders: Handles large orders efficiently.
Why Bentobox Might Be Right for You
If your restaurant focuses on fine dining and ambiance, Bentobox helps you create an online presence that matches your brand. Be aware that there may be a setup fee, so it’s important to contact them for detailed pricing.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Stunning, custom-designed websites
- Features tailored for upscale dining
- Emphasis on storytelling and brand presentation
Cons:
- Setup fee may apply, adding to initial costs
- Less focus on driving online orders
- Fewer marketing automation tools
4. Popmenu
Best for Interactive Menus and Customer Engagement
Price: Starting around $269 per month, check for current pricing
Popmenu transforms your menu into an interactive experience, allowing customers to leave reviews and share photos.
Key Features:
- Interactive Menus: Engage customers with reviews and photos on your menu items.
- Automated Marketing: Uses smart tools to send engaging emails.
- Online Ordering: Built-in system for takeout and delivery.
- Reservation Integration: Works with popular booking platforms.
Why Choose Popmenu
If you want to make your menu more engaging and turn it into a marketing tool, Popmenu offers unique features that encourage customer interaction.
5. Sauce
Best for Commission-Free Delivery
Price: Starting around $99 per month, additional fees may apply for delivery services
Sauce helps you offer delivery without paying high commissions to third-party services.
Key Features:
- Commission-Free Delivery: Use their network of drivers without losing money on fees.
- Online Ordering System: Customers can place orders directly on your website.
- Marketing Support: Access tools and materials to promote your restaurant.
Why Sauce Could Be Beneficial
If delivery is a significant part of your business, Sauce allows you to manage it efficiently while keeping more of your profits.
Making the Right Choice for Your Restaurant
Choosing the best platform depends on your restaurant’s specific needs and budget:
- Want to increase your online visibility without overspending? Fleksa helps improve your search rankings and offers a comprehensive set of features at an affordable flat rate of $99 per month with no setup fee.
- Looking to boost online orders with advanced marketing? Owner.com provides powerful tools but at a higher cost of $500 per month plus a 5% transaction fee, though there is no setup fee.
- Operating an upscale restaurant that needs a stylish online presence? Bentobox creates beautiful websites that reflect your brand’s elegance, but be mindful that a setup fee may apply.
Final Thoughts
The restaurant industry is always evolving, and so are the tools that support it. While ChowNow has been a good option for many, these alternatives might offer the extra features and benefits you need to take your restaurant to the next level—all while fitting your budget.
Fleksa stands out as an affordable, all-in-one solution that can help you attract more customers, manage orders and reservations, and keep more of your profits with its flat monthly fee and no setup costs.
Ready to Enhance Your Restaurant’s Online Presence with Fleksa?
Discover how Fleksa can improve your online visibility, increase your orders, and simplify your operations—all for a flat $99 per month with no setup fee.
👉 Get a Free Demo with Fleksa Today
Take control of your online orders, connect better with your customers, and strengthen your restaurant’s reputation with the right tools for your needs and budget.
