Leadership
Building for the GM, Not the CTO
The user who wins or loses the shift should be the product’s first design target.
Many restaurant tools are technically advanced but operationally heavy. They assume users can navigate complex setup paths during busy days. GMs do not have that time. They need decisions, not software archaeology.
Designing for the GM means fast comprehension, clear priorities, and frictionless action. It means fewer screens, stronger defaults, and role-specific recommendations that match daily work.
Principles that matter
- One-screen morning brief for each role.
- Alerts tied to impact, owner, and due time.
- Actions that can be completed in under two taps.
- Terminology that matches restaurant language.
When products are built this way, adoption improves naturally. Technical depth still exists for advanced users, but the frontline experience remains simple.
Detailed operator checklist
- Design daily screens around top shift decisions, not feature menus.
- Validate wording with managers who run live shifts.
- Measure time-to-action for common tasks as a product KPI.
Common execution mistakes
Teams over-index on configurability. Frontline adoption improves when defaults are strong and workflows are short.
Keep Reading
- AI in Restaurants: Beyond the Hype
- What 200 Operators Said About Time Waste
- 48 Hours to Live: What the First Two Days Look Like
Designed for the person who opens at 6 AM