Catalyst-backed ChowNow introduced the first of its kind Diner Impact Score, through which diners can see how much money they are saving their local restaurants by choosing to order through ChowNow’s app and website. With the release of this feature, ChowNow continues to help inform diners on a better alternative to other food ordering platforms.
Catalyst portfolio company ChowNow, the nation’s leading platform powering online ordering and marketing for independent restaurants, named Andre Mancl as Chief Financial Officer to lead the company’s finance team through ChowNow’s next phase of growth and expansion. Mancl joins ChowNow from Credit Suisse, where he served as the Global co-head of Internet Investment Banking.
Catalyst portfolio company ChowNow, an online ordering platform, launched “Order Better Network,” a solution that connects restaurants to more than a dozen channels for delivery and takeout orders. Brands on the platform include Google, OpenTable, Yelp and several more. The Order Better Network helps restaurants set up digital storefronts on these social platforms so diners can browse, order and checkout without leaving them. The new offering has shown to grow online sales by an average of 30%.
Five Catalyst Investors portfolio companies were featured on the Inc. 5000 2021 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the country.
The CEO of Catalyst-backed ChowNow, Chris Webb, was featured as one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business 2021.
Catalyst-backed ChowNow is using RingDNA to automatically surface insights about what works in sales calls to better coach its sales staff.
Our portfolio company ChowNow recently surpassed 100 million orders. In a crowded space in which most online ordering companies are predatory, taking advantage of small restaurant owners, we are proud to back a company that empowers restaurants and puts them in the driver’s seat, helping them grow their businesses during a trying time for restaurants.
Catalyst portfolio company ChowNow is launching new products to support local restaurants during COVID-19. A new Instagram alliance enables restaurants to add “Order Food” buttons to their Instagram profile and Stories, free of charge, providing another way to sustain their businesses in these difficult times.
“During this unprecedented pandemic, ChowNow has mobilized all its resources to help local restaurants survive and ultimately thrive, launching new products and services in record time,” said Chris Webb, CEO of Catalyst-backed ChowNow. “This Instagram feature is yet another valuable tool we’re offering our restaurant partners — at no cost to the restaurants — to help them drive more revenue and boost order volume without suffering the outrageous commissions and fees imposed by other delivery apps.”
Unlike other platforms, Catalyst portfolio company ChowNow tries to help smaller restaurants build their own web presence instead of turning to the aggregators. Restaurants pay ChowNow between $100 and $150 per month to use its software to create branded apps and allow ordering through their websites. Restaurants get a full-service dashboard that lets them control all delivery functions, including hours, zones and fees. Most important, through ChowNow, a restaurant owns its own customer information.