In the battle of Chowbus versus PAR Brink, both systems bring unique strengths to the table. Chowbus is particularly strong for Asian restaurants needing specialized POS, while PAR Brink excels at Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators. Whether you prioritize Asian restaurant expertise or API-first with 250+ integrations, this comparison covers everything you need to know.
Quick Comparison: Chowbus vs PAR Brink
| Feature | Chowbus | PAR Brink |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Restaurant |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $90/month |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business to Mid-Market | Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Asian restaurants needing specialized POS | Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators |
Chowbus Overview
Chowbus POS is a restaurant management platform designed specifically for Asian restaurants. Features include multilingual support, online ordering integration, and specialized menu management for Asian cuisine.
Chowbus is offered by Chowbus Inc. (founded 2016) based in Chicago, IL. The system focuses on Asian Cuisine Restaurants.
Key Features:
- POS System
- Online Ordering
- Multilingual Support
- Menu Management
- Kitchen Display
- Payment Processing
PAR Brink Overview
PAR Brink POS is a cloud-first enterprise POS for restaurants serious about scaling. Features API-first approach with 250+ integration partners, 150+ reports, pay-at-table, and PCI/P2PE security certifications.
PAR Brink is offered by PAR Technology (founded 1968) based in New Hartford, New York, USA. The system focuses on Fast Casual, Quick Service, Restaurant Chains.
Key Features:
- Online ordering
- Loyalty programs
- Kitchen display systems
- Mobile payments
- Real-time reporting
- Multi-unit administration
Feature Comparison
Chowbus Features:
- POS System
- Online Ordering
- Multilingual Support
- Menu Management
- Kitchen Display
PAR Brink Features:
- Online ordering
- Loyalty programs
- Kitchen display systems
- Mobile payments
- Real-time reporting
When comparing features, Chowbus stands out with Asian restaurant expertise, while PAR Brink differentiates itself with API-first with 250+ integrations. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Chowbus | PAR Brink |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $90/month |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Premium |
| Free Trial | Not available | Not available |
| Free Version | No | No |
Both systems offer competitive pricing for their respective feature sets. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Chowbus
Pros:
- Asian restaurant specialization
- Multilingual interface
- Online ordering integration
- Cultural understanding
Cons:
- Niche market focus
- Limited to certain cuisines
- Less mainstream support
PAR Brink
Pros:
- 250+ integration partners
- API-first design
- Enterprise scalability
- 24/7/365 support
- PCI and P2PE certified
Cons:
- Tiered support issues
- Slow feature development
- May be overkill for small operators
Who Should Choose Chowbus?
Chowbus is ideal for Asian restaurants needing specialized POS. The system is particularly well-suited for Asian Cuisine Restaurants.
However, Chowbus may not be the best fit for Western cuisine restaurants.
Who Should Choose PAR Brink?
PAR Brink is ideal for Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators. The system is particularly well-suited for Fast Casual, Quick Service, Restaurant Chains.
However, PAR Brink may not be the best fit for Single-location restaurants, very small operations.
Our Recommendation
Both Chowbus and PAR Brink are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Chowbus if you’re Asian restaurants needing specialized POS. Choose PAR Brink if you’re Fast casual chains, growing restaurant brands, multi-location operators. Chowbus has a higher user rating (4.2 vs 4.1). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.