MenuWise: Transforming Restaurant Training, Validated by Industry Demand
App Design - 2023
OVERVIEW
MenuWise reimagines restaurant employee training, reducing unpaid onboarding time and improving retention. By leveraging interactive learning and AI-driven quizzes, it empowers both employees and employers.
The concept resonated with the industry, with three restaurants expressing interest in a demo—validating its potential to transform training in the service sector.
MY ROLE
I completed all deliverables for the project on my own, with weekly critique from my professor and classmates.
The restaurant industry has challenges in efficient employee training to satisfy the necessity for open front of the house roles.
How might we rethink employee training for restaurants using the power of technology?
PROBLEM
A customizable training platform can solve these challenges by prioritizing employee well-being, improving training processes, and boosting workforce productivity and engagement.
SOLUTION
Drawing from my seven-year experience in the service industry, this project focuses on the challenges I faced, including unpaid training and exploitation as an immigrant worker.
The objective of MenuWise is to explore how interactive training tools can boost employee engagement, productivity, and retention in the service industry.
RELEVANCE
The research methods used were participatory observation surveys and semi-structured interviews with employees and employers to gain insight into their experiences and perspectives on training in the service industry.
RESEARCH
100% of the surveyors said that they were handed in a menu and were told to study at home.
80% of the surveyors said that they would love to be paid and it would be more encouraging for the basic training.
70% off surveyors left a note mentioning that training new hires is a burden for the coworkers.
Template based structure to efficiently setup restaurant’s information, food and drink menu, rules, allergies and with the help of AI quiz creation.
Employer Account lets the user upload the training materials easily with the template based structure to efficiently setup their restaurant’s information, food and drink menu, rules, allergies and with the help of AI quiz creation.
After the employer sets up their account, they are ready to onboard the employees by creating employee profile so that the employees can log in and start their training by clocking in through the app. After finalizing quizzes successfully, they can select their availability to see their schedules.
FEATURES
This project was not just about designing a tool—it was about reshaping an outdated training system to create a more equitable and efficient work environment. It was also a deeply insightful process, reinforcing my understanding of human-centered design, product strategy, and technical execution.
1. Bridging Personal Experience with Design Solutions
Leveraging my firsthand experience in the service industry allowed me to design a solution that directly addressed real-world problems. This enhanced the value of empathy-driven research in crafting impactful products.
2. Uncovering Nuanced Challenges Through Research
Through participatory observation, surveys, and semi-structured interviews, I gained a deeper appreciation for qualitative research. Speaking with both employees and employers provided critical insights into their training frustrations, helping me refine the platform’s functionality to meet their needs.
3. Iteration & Prototyping
The prototyping phase highlighted the importance of rapid iteration. Testing early versions of the product with restaurant staff allowed me to refine features based on direct user feedback, ensuring an intuitive and effective training experience.
4. Balancing Employer Needs with Employee Well-Being
Striking the right balance between business efficiency and worker empowerment was key. This project reinforced my ability to design for multiple stakeholders, ensuring that both employers and employees benefited from the solution.
5. Real-World Validation & Market Interest
Receiving interest from three restaurants for a demo was an encouraging sign of the platform’s relevance. This experience emphasized the importance of early validation and testing product-market fit before scaling a solution.
6. The Value of Proximity & Continuous Feedback
Being close to my former workplace allowed for continuous feedback loops, enhancing the project’s development. This underscored the impact of real-world interactions and iterative problem-solving in the design process.
7. Managing Time Constraints & Future Plans
Although I balanced this project with other responsibilities, I recognized the need for dedicated time in refining product details. Given the positive response, I plan to continue developing MenuWise, exploring further iterations to make it a fully functional product.