ShopKeep, the cloud-based small business technology provider, has acquired the online ordering software, ChowBot, from Meerchant. The company said in a press release that the acquisition serves to enable online ordering, payment and delivery options for ShopKeep's partner 8,500 quick-serve and full-service restaurant and bars.
 
ChowBot features will be directly integrated into the ShopKeep POS system, giving partner merchants the ability to sync their POS menu to their individual online order site, where customers can order, pay and choose between onsite or curbside pickup, or home delivery.

The software will connect to ShopKeep's cloud-based platform, ensuring that online order details are automatically submitted to the restaurant and further enabling merchants to use third-party on-demand delivery service providers such as UberRush or Postmates to manage the delivery process, according to the announcement.

"It can be especially challenging for restaurants in the SMB category to offer their customers online order and delivery — they are often stuck choosing between paying steep costs for the capability, relinquishing control of the customer experience, or not having an online presence at all," Michael DeSimone, ShopKeep CEO, said in a statement. "The integration of ChowBot to our platform allows them to easily offer these features, cutting down the barriers to entry by helping them effectively and successfully bridge their online presence with the physical experience they provide customers."