Executive Summary

Foodies First, a brand operating multiple stores on platforms like Uber Eats and Just Eat, sought a comprehensive solution to streamline menu management, order listing, and product updates. By utilizing technologies like ReactJS, NestJS, PostgreSQL, and AWS, a robust platform was developed to handle deep menu structures, implement secure login, and enhance operational efficiency. This platform empowers account managers with features like menu scheduling, product creation, and real-time order management, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all stores.

Client Background

Foodies First is a dynamic company managing multiple restaurant stores on popular food delivery platforms such as Uber Eats and Just Eat. Known for its diverse offerings and customer-centric approach, Foodies First needed a scalable and user-friendly system to manage complex operations across its stores. From creating intricate menus to handling high volumes of orders, the company aimed to enhance operational efficiency while maintaining accuracy and consistency in its online presence.

Business Problem

Foodies First faced several challenges in managing its operations effectively:

• Complex Menu Structures: With menus featuring deep nested structures up to a depth of five, managing categories, modifiers, variants, and meal deals manually was cumbersome and error-prone.
• Order Management Inefficiencies: Account managers struggled to view, track, and manage orders across multiple stores due to the lack of a centralized interface.
• Inconsistent Online Menus: Ensuring that the menus published online were accurate and consistent with internal versions required significant manual effort.
• Scalability Issues: Managing multiple stores with varying menus, products, and schedules posed scalability challenges.
• Security Concerns: Protecting sensitive information and ensuring that only authorized users could access and modify the system were critical concerns.

Solution Approach

To address these challenges, a robust platform was designed with the following key approaches:

1. Bi-Directional Schema with Recursive Logic

• Implemented a bi-directional schema to manage deep menu structures effectively.
• Utilized a recursive approach for navigating and managing nested categories, modifiers, and upsell groups.

2. API-Driven Menu Publishing

• Developed APIs to publish menus seamlessly, ensuring that updates were reflected accurately on platforms like Uber Eats and Just Eat.

3. Secure Login and Access Controls

• Integrated secure login mechanisms and role-based access controls to ensure only authorized account managers could access the system.

4. Real-Time Order Management

• Built a centralized interface for account managers to view and manage orders efficiently.

5. Advanced Menu Management Features

• Enabled account managers to create, update, and delete menus, categories, and products.
• Introduced menu scheduling capabilities, allowing specific menus to be displayed on certain dates or times and setting holidays to adjust availability dynamically.

Implementation

Technologies Used

• Frontend Development: ReactJS: Delivered a responsive and dynamic user interface, ensuring a seamless experience for account managers.
• Backend Development: NestJS: Supported a scalable and modular architecture for efficient service management. PostgreSQL: Handled complex data structures and relationships with high reliability. AWS: Provided scalable and secure cloud infrastructure for hosting and storage.

Key Features Delivered

• Login and Access Control: Secure login with role-based access controls to ensure that sensitive data is accessed and managed only by authorized personnel.
• Order Listing Interface: A user-friendly dashboard for account managers to view, track, and manage orders in real time, streamlining operations.
• Menu Management: Ability to create, update, and schedule menus with deep nested structures. Options to set holidays and dynamically adjust menu availability. Features for comparing online menus with internal versions for accuracy.
• Product Management: Tools for adding new restaurants, creating and updating products, and managing upsell groups, meal deals, and modifiers.
• APIs for Menu Publishing: API-driven workflows ensured that menu updates were reflected accurately across all platforms in real time.

Results and Impact

Operational Efficiency:

The centralized platform streamlined menu and order management, reducing manual effort and operational inefficiencies.

Improved Accuracy:

Automated menu publishing and comparison features ensured that online menus were always consistent with internal versions.

Enhanced User Experience:

The intuitive interface made it easy for account managers to navigate complex menu structures, manage products, and schedule menus.

Scalability:

The robust architecture allowed Foodies First to scale operations seamlessly as it added new restaurants and products.

Data Security:

Secure login and role-based access controls safeguarded sensitive business data and minimized unauthorized access risks.

Conclusion

Foodies First successfully addressed its operational challenges by implementing a robust platform tailored to its unique needs. With advanced menu and order management features, secure access controls, and seamless menu publishing, the company now enjoys improved efficiency, accuracy, and scalability across all its stores.

This transformation positions Foodies First as a leader in managing multi-store restaurant operations, ensuring consistent quality and customer satisfaction across all platforms.