ChowNow Pricing and Fees

For restaurant operators evaluating online ordering platforms, understanding the full cost structure before signing up is essential. ChowNow positions itself as a commission-free alternative to third-party marketplaces like DoorDash and Uber Eats, but "commission-free" doesn't mean free. There are subscription fees, transaction fees, setup costs, and delivery charges to account for. This breakdown of chownow pricing and fees covers everything you need to make an informed decision as of 2026.

What Restaurants Are Saying

User sentiment around ChowNow skews positive, particularly around cost savings. Restaurants consistently highlight the flat-fee model as a meaningful alternative to commission-heavy platforms, one reviewer noted that ChowNow's flat monthly rate "saved a lot of percentage" compared to what they were paying elsewhere.

Pros

• No per-order commissions on direct orders
• Flat delivery fees with flexible cost-sharing between restaurant and diner
• Customer support praised during high-demand periods

Cons

• Slow pace of new feature rollouts reported by some operators
• Occasional difficulty reaching support
• Tipping experience on third-party deliveries can feel disjointed

As of early 2026, no Trustpilot score with sufficient review volume was available to provide a verified aggregate rating, so prospective users should consult recent reviews directly before committing.

ChowNow Cost for Restaurants

ChowNow offers three subscription tiers, billed monthly or at a discounted annual rate:

Additional Costs to Budget For

• One-time setup fee: $119, $499, depending on onboarding complexity
• Apple developer fee: $99/year for restaurants using a branded mobile app
• Order printer hardware: $250, $420 (optional)

None of these are hidden fees, but they add up and are worth factoring into your total cost of ownership before committing.

ChowNow Delivery Pricing and Fees

ChowNow's delivery fees depend on the fulfillment method used:

Splitting the Cost with Diners

Restaurants aren't required to absorb these fees entirely. ChowNow allows operators to split delivery costs with the customer. The recommended approach for third-party delivery is to charge the diner $3.99 while the restaurant covers the remaining $3.99. ChowNow's own data shows that restaurants sharing delivery costs with diners can increase delivery orders by up to 2x.

Delivery Radius Options

ChowNow doesn't enforce a single fixed delivery limit. Restaurants can set a one-mile circle by default, build custom polygon zones, or use zip code-based delivery areas. The 8-mile cap applies specifically when using third-party delivery partners.

How Does ChowNow Make Money?

ChowNow charges zero commission on direct orders placed through a restaurant's website or branded app. Instead, revenue comes from:

• Subscription fees: $119, $328/month across three tiers
• Transaction processing: 2.95% + $0.29 per order (standard payment processing rate)
• One-time setup fees: $119, $499
• Optional marketing services: Email campaigns, SEO, paid advertising management
• Premium add-ons: Loyalty programs, CRM tools, marketplace promotional placements

This subscription-and-services model keeps costs predictable while eliminating the 20, 30% per-order commission drain of platforms like Grubhub or DoorDash's standard marketplace.

Contract Terms and Cancellation Policy

ChowNow offers month-to-month, annual, and two-year contract options. Key details:

• Annual and two-year contracts automatically convert to month-to-month after the initial term expires
• Hub plan subscribers can cancel anytime with written notice and no penalty
• Premier subscribers canceling before the first order is processed face a $199 cancellation fee, offset against any prepaid amount
• ChowNow can terminate any agreement with 30 days' written notice, or immediately in cases of material breach

A Commission-Free Alternative Worth Considering: Sauce

If ChowNow's tiered subscriptions and per-transaction fees feel like too many moving parts, Sauce offers a simpler approach. Sauce is a commission-free delivery and online ordering platform that helps restaurants keep 100% of their profits and 100% of their customer data. Rather than layering subscription costs on top of transaction fees, Sauce operates on a transparent flat-fee model, connecting direct online orders to a national network of delivery drivers without the 20, 30% commission structure of third-party marketplaces. For restaurants that want hands-free logistics without tiered plans, it's a compelling option to compare alongside ChowNow.

Is ChowNow Worth the Cost?

ChowNow's pricing model is genuinely more restaurant-friendly than traditional marketplace commissions. No per-order commissions on direct orders, flat delivery fees, and flexible cost-sharing give operators real control over margins. That said, the total picture, subscriptions, setup costs, transaction fees, and optional add-ons, means you should run the numbers based on your order volume before choosing a plan.

For a deeper look at how ChowNow stacks up, see our full ChowNow review, our breakdown of ChowNow alternatives and competitors, or our ChowNow vs. Toast comparison. Understanding chownow pricing and fees in full context, not just the headline "commission-free" claim, is the best way to determine whether it's the right fit for your restaurant.