From Failures to Innovations... Sterling Douglass on Transforming Restaurant Technology with Chowly.

For Immediate Release, NOT A PODCAST

Canada's Restaurant Guy, Jay Ashton

In the latest episode of the Late Night Restaurant Show, hosts Jay Ashton and Dominic Pedulla welcomed Sterling Douglass, co-founder of Chowly, a pioneering off-premise platform for small and medium-sized restaurants. The engaging discussion spanned the origin story of Chowly, the hurdles faced in the restaurant tech industry, and the innovative solutions Chowly offers to streamline restaurant operations and boost profitability.

Sterling Douglass shared the story of Chowly’s inception, highlighting a failed attempt at a bar app as the unexpected catalyst. Originally focused on integrating Grubhub orders directly into point-of-sale (POS) systems to eliminate the chaos of multiple devices, Chowly has grown to support first-party online ordering, digital marketing, dynamic pricing, and more for over 17,000 restaurants across the U.S. and Canada.

The conversation revealed Douglass’s deep understanding of restaurant operators' challenges. Many restaurateurs enter the industry for their passion for food and customer service, not necessarily for their tech or marketing prowess. Chowly bridges this gap by offering comprehensive solutions that allow restaurant owners to focus on their core competencies while enhancing their digital presence and operational efficiency.

One of the standout innovations discussed was Chowly’s dynamic pricing tool. This feature adjusts menu prices based on demand fluctuations, such as during peak times or adverse weather conditions, thus maximizing profits without additional operational costs. Sterling illustrated this with real-world examples, showing how small price adjustments can lead to significant profit increases for restaurant owners.

Throughout the episode, the importance of innovation and adaptation in the restaurant industry was a recurring theme. Sterling emphasized that successful innovation often stems from understanding and addressing real problems faced by restaurant operators, a principle that has guided Chowly’s development. Despite initial resistance and even legal challenges from larger tech companies, Chowly has persisted and thrived by focusing on practical solutions and maintaining a customer-centric approach.

The episode also touched on the broader implications of digital marketing for restaurants. Chowly’s digital marketing services, which replace the need for expensive agencies, have shown remarkable results. Sterling shared success stories where restaurants experienced significant sales lifts by leveraging Chowly’s targeted marketing strategies.

Jay and Dominic were particularly impressed by Chowly’s transparent and fair pricing model, which includes flat fees and month-to-month contracts, making advanced tech solutions accessible to smaller operators without the burden of long-term commitments.

This episode of the Late Night Restaurant Show provided a comprehensive look at how Chowly is revolutionizing restaurant technology. Through Sterling Douglass’s insights, listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges and opportunities in the restaurant industry and the pivotal role that innovative tech solutions like Chowly can play in driving success.