By Jonathan Shieber
April 15, 2020
Instagram is partnering with the Los Angeles-based restaurant ordering platform ChowNow to make pictures and stories from local restaurants shoppable by adding “Order Food” buttons and stickers to their images and videos.
The buttons and stickers will link directly to ChowNow to complete order flow, the companies said. Followers can also re-share stickers on their own Instagram Stories to drive awareness.
Local restaurants have been hit especially hard by the forced economic shutdown and social distancing measures imposed by state and local governments to contain the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic.
“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, ChowNow’s CEO and co-founder in a statement. “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.”