Chowbus, a Chicago, IL-based provider of an AI-powered platform for culturally rooted restaurants, has raised $81 million in a funding round led by Prysm Capital and Left Lane Capital.
The round also saw participation from Dutchess, Fika, and Avid Bank.
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The company plans to use the funds to expand its AI-powered tools for marketing, automated accounting, and supply chain management. It will also improve service integration by offering more complete business services beyond traditional SaaS, helping restaurant operators reduce costs. In addition, the company plans to expand into Canada and strengthen support for the many independent restaurants using its POS and analytics platform.
Chowbus, a leading AI-powered platform for culturally focused restaurants, has reached a turning point. After successfully serving thousands of independent restaurants, the company is now expanding beyond its POS and management platform into the larger restaurant services market, including marketing, accounting, supply ordering, and insurance—areas where operators spend much more than on software alone.
The Asian restaurant industry, a key market for Chowbus, makes up about 16% of the U.S. restaurant market and is expected to reach $240 billion by the end of 2026. Despite economic challenges and rising inflation, this sector has grown 135% over the past 25 years.
“Our mission has always focused on technology, fairness, and purposeful innovation,” said Linxin Wen, CEO of Chowbus. “The success of our first AI product, AI Digital Ads, shows we can help independent restaurants compete at a higher level. Now, we’re building the next-generation AI restaurant platform to support entrepreneurs, who are the backbone of our communities. This is the most exciting time for the restaurant industry since the shift to cloud-based POS.”
“Linxin and the Chowbus team have demonstrated outstanding execution, turning the business into a scaled, mission-critical platform for restaurants,” said Kerry Wei, Partner at Prysm Capital. “With solid recurring revenue, growing transaction volumes and a strategic expansion into AI-powered services, Chowbus is at a pivotal moment. We’re excited to partner with the team as they build the next-generation AI platform that helps operators thrive in a more complex market.”
“Chowbus is using AI to tackle these large service areas, delivering efficiency 10 times higher than traditional solutions while keeping the human touch that hospitality demands,” said Harley Miller, CEO and Managing Partner of Left Lane Capital. “By going beyond software to act as a true operating partner, they’re helping restaurants compete at a level once only possible for big chains.”
About Chowbus
Founded in 2016, Chowbus is a technology platform that supports independent, culturally rooted restaurants across the U.S. The company offers easy-to-use POS systems, integrated marketing tools, and AI-powered solutions to help restaurants grow sustainably while celebrating their cultural roots.
About Prysm Capital
Prysm Capital partners with fast-growing, disruptive companies at key moments of expansion. With offices in New York, San Francisco, and Princeton, Prysm provides flexible growth funding to founders building leading technology and consumer businesses, including Replit, Island, FieldAI, Clear Street, Rivian, and Fanatics.
About Left Lane Capital
Founded in 2019, Left Lane Capital is a venture capital and growth equity firm based in New York and London. They invest in fast-growing internet and consumer technology companies worldwide. Left Lane partners with exceptional entrepreneurs building category-defining businesses. Notable investments include Bilt Rewards, Holy, Olipop, Talkiatry, Blank Street, Kings League, and Smalls.
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