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Disrupting Restaurant Tech: Sterling Douglass on Profitable Growth and Smarter Systems
Learn how to develop a winning strategy for off-premise with the Co Founder and CEO of Chowly.
Chowly 2024 Recap
Growing Together with Independent Restaurant Operators
2024 has been a year of growth, innovation, and connection at Chowly.
Our focus remains on empowering independent restaurant operators by enhancing tools, building meaningful partnerships, and providing support that drives success in an evolving industry. Here’s a look back at some key milestones that showcase our commitment.
New Teammates and In-Person Town Halls
This year, we expanded our team, welcoming new talent to strengthen our services and better support independent restaurant operators. For the first time in a long time, we also started gathering in person, bringing our Chicago-based team together for meaningful collaboration while our virtual teammates joined via Zoom. These in-person town halls have been transformative, creating a space to reflect on our wins, tackle setbacks, and reignite our motivation to keep moving forward.
These gatherings weren’t just about business—they were about living Chowly’s values. One Team means we win and lose together, tackling challenges as a unit. Through direct communication, we celebrated wins and addressed setbacks, proving that good news travels fast. Our team’s resilience stood out as we faced tough problems head-on, showing that we never give up. These town halls reinforced our focus—delivering on promises and ensuring that “done” means it’s truly done. And, as always, we took the opportunity to push the envelope, challenging norms and exploring new ways to better support our customers.
We made it a priority to support our own customers during these meetings, ordering lunch from some of our favorite local restaurants—restaurants powered by Chowly. This wasn’t just a meal; it was a chance to see the real-world impact of our work and celebrate the independent restaurant operators who inspire us every day. By coming together, both in person and virtually, we’ve strengthened our team, fostered new ideas, and created a shared vision for the future. These connections have set the stage for better customer support, meaningful product advancements, and a renewed sense of purpose as we head into 2025.
Industry Presence
Making an Impact at Key Events
At major industry events like the National Restaurant Show, P3 Summit, Florida Restaurant Show, and Shmoozefest, Chowly connected with independent restaurant operators, shared insights, and identified the evolving needs of independent restaurant operators. These events underscored our commitment to supporting restaurant owners through shared learning and resources.
Strategic Growth
Acquiring Targetable
The acquisition of Targetable added significant value to our platform, providing new tools that simplify digital marketing for independent restaurant operators. This move aligns with our goal of delivering a streamlined experience to help restaurants grow their online presence effectively and advertise smarter.
Strategic Growth
Acquiring Targetable
The acquisition of Targetable added significant value to our platform, providing new tools that simplify digital marketing for independent restaurant operators. This move aligns with our goal of delivering a streamlined experience to help restaurants grow their online presence effectively and advertise smarter.
Product Advancements
Consolidated Solutions with Chowly Platform
This year’s product developments introduced the “3C’s” model and a consolidated platform that centralizes operations—allowing restaurant owners to manage online orders, POS systems, and digital marketing efforts seamlessly. These updates are designed to simplify workflows, reduce operational stress, and support profitability for our customers.
Workshops and Podcasts
Sharing Knowledge, Building Skills
This year, Chowly focused on education and empowerment, offering in-person and virtual workshops designed to provide independent restaurant operators with practical tools and actionable skills. Supported by our newly launched workbook, these sessions tackled real-world challenges like improving profitability, optimizing off-premise operations, and integrating technology to save time and resources. Our workshops weren’t just about teaching—they were about connecting with operators, answering their questions, and ensuring they walked away with strategies they could implement immediately.
Beyond workshops, our team brought Chowly’s expertise to a broader audience through podcasts. Sterling and other Chowly leaders joined conversations on top industry podcasts, including the Restaurant Strategy Podcast, Hospitality Hangout, Meez, and the Late Night Restaurant Podcast, where we shared insights on trends like hyper-local marketing, Smart Pricing, and the growing importance of AI in restaurant operations. These appearances helped us reach thousands of listeners and position Chowly as a trusted voice in the industry.
Sterling also took the stage at Food on Demand, moderating a panel of industry leaders and discussing the future of off-premise dining. This panel was a highlight of the year, sparking thought-provoking discussions and reinforcing Chowly’s leadership in the space. We captured some incredible moments during this event, and the images speak volumes about the energy and connection we’ve built with the restaurant community.
Through these workshops, podcasts, and live panels, Chowly continues to prioritize thought leadership and knowledge-sharing. Our goal is to ensure independent restaurant operators feel equipped, informed, and inspired to tackle the challenges of today’s restaurant industry with confidence.
Recognizing Leadership
Tom and Sterling Among Top Executives to Watch
We’re proud to celebrate Tom Lawton, CRO and Sterling Douglass, Co Founder & CEO, for their recognition from Pavilion as top leaders to watch in the industry. Tom was named one of the “50 CROs to Watch,” and Sterling was honored as one of the “50 CEOs to Watch.” Their dedication drives our efforts and reinforces Chowly’s commitment to leadership in the industry.
Connecting with Customers
On-the-Ground Support
This year, we deepened our connections with independent restaurant operators by actively participating in major industry events like the National Restaurant Show, P3 Summit, Florida Restaurant Show, and Schmoozefest. These events weren’t just opportunities to showcase Chowly’s platform—they were moments to listen, learn, and understand the evolving challenges and needs of independent restaurant operators. We didn’t just set up booths; we built spaces for meaningful conversations, where independent restaurant operators could share their struggles and successes while learning how Chowly could help simplify their operations and drive profitability.
Our team hosted live demos, interactive sessions, and Q&As, showing independent restaurant operators exactly how our solutions could work for them. By sharing actionable insights on hyper-local marketing, Smart Pricing, and off-premise optimization, we provided real-world strategies to help them thrive. These conversations weren’t one-sided. We gained valuable insights into what restaurant owners need most—from tools to streamline operations to resources for adapting to the changing demands of their customers.
We also celebrated the restaurants that inspire us daily by sharing customer success stories at these events. From Nora’s Café to Smokin’ Oak, we showcased how Chowly’s platform has been a game-changer for businesses of all sizes. These stories resonated with independent restaurant operators, showing that Chowly understands their challenges and provides solutions that work.
The energy and connection from these events have strengthened our resolve to stay deeply rooted in the restaurant community. It’s not just about offering a product—it’s about building relationships, sharing knowledge, and empowering independent restaurant operators to achieve more. These moments remind us why we do what we do and push us to keep innovating for the industry we love.
Fresh Case Studies
Real Stories of Success
This year, we captured the incredible journeys of our customers through a series of detailed case studies, showcasing the transformative impact Chowly’s platform has on independent restaurants. These stories go beyond the numbers—they highlight real operators, their unique challenges, and how Chowly has helped them thrive in a competitive landscape.
From Uncle Sam’s to Golden Krust Caribbean Restaurant, each success story paints a vivid picture of resilience and growth. For Green Ridge Hospitality, integrating Chowly streamlined their off-premise operations, saving hours of manual work each week. MrJims.Pizza saw a measurable increase in online orders by leveraging Chowly’s POS integrations and marketing tools. Righteous Que harnessed our platform to manage peak delivery hours with ease, delivering consistently great customer experiences even during high-volume times.
Restaurants like Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom and PrimoHoagies demonstrated how Chowly helps scale operations across multiple locations, providing centralized control without losing the personal touch that keeps loyal customers coming back. Nora Restaurant & Bar and Rustic House Oyster Bar & Grill tapped into Chowly’s advanced features like Smart Pricing and hyper-local marketing to grow revenue while keeping costs in check.
Even beloved neighborhood spots like Two Eggs! and Germantown Café found ways to enhance their customer experience, using Chowly to automate back-end operations and focus on what they do best—creating unforgettable meals and memories. Each of these stories is a testament to the adaptability and grit of independent operators and the ways Chowly supports their growth.
These case studies don’t just highlight success; they demonstrate Chowly’s commitment to empowering restaurants of all shapes and sizes. By telling these stories, we hope to inspire other operators to see what’s possible when they have the right tools and support behind them.
Chowly Platform
In 2025, we’re doubling down on innovation with even more powerful tools and consolidated features designed to redefine off-premise profitability. Big things are on the horizon, and we can’t wait to show you what’s next. The future of restaurant innovation is closer than you think—stay tuned, because this is just the start.
Executive Planning Session
Looking ahead to the future, we recently concluded our executive planning session, setting the stage for an even more impactful 2025. Key takeaways from this session include:
Platform Growth:
Expanding our reach and revenue through strategic onboardings and platform enhancements.
Management Improvement:
Enhancing handoffs, accountability, and execution across teams, with improved training and documentation to support these goals.
Becoming a Front-End Company:
While we’ve mastered the back end, we’re closing the gap on becoming front-end masters. This effort goes beyond product and design—it’s a company-wide commitment, from executives to support reps, to ensure our software users and customers remain at the center of everything we do.
As we move into 2025, we remain focused on empowering independent restaurant operators with tools that simplify operations and support growth. Thank you to our customers, team, and industry partners for making 2024 a memorable year. Here’s to continued progress together.
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