ChatFood vs ChowNow Comparison: Everything You Need to Know Before Choosing

ChatFood is an e-commerce solution for food and beverage entrepreneurs that enables restaurants to sell directly through social and messaging channels such as Instagram and WhatsApp. Founded in Dubai, the company focuses on helping restaurants in the Middle East and beyond take control of their online ordering, reducing dependence on third-party delivery aggregators and the substantial commissions they charge. The problem it addresses is that many restaurants receive orders and enquiries through social media and messaging apps but lack a structured way to convert those conversations into paid orders, while their direct websites are often underdeveloped or non-existent. ChatFood provides a branded ordering experience that can be linked from social profiles and messages, turning followers into customers and allowing restaurants to own the relationship and the data. Its approach is to make direct ordering simple to set up and easy for customers to use on mobile devices. The platform provides a mobile-optimised online menu and ordering page, accessible via links in Instagram bios, WhatsApp chats, Google profiles and QR codes, with support for delivery, pickup and dine-in orders. Integrated online payments, order management dashboards and notifications help staff process orders efficiently, while delivery can be handled by the restaurant’s own drivers or integrated logistics partners. Marketing tools, including promotions, discount codes and customer data collection, support repeat business and loyalty. Menu management allows items, modifiers and availability to be updated quickly across locations, and analytics provide insight into sales, popular items and customer behaviour. ChatFood integrates with point-of-sale systems and payment providers commonly used in its markets. The solution is aimed at independent restaurants, cafés, cloud kitchens and small restaurant groups. Pricing starts from around USD 80, typically per month, with a free trial; there is no permanently free version.