Disrupting the Fast Casual Industry

Building a Cutting-Edge App and Website that Sets New Standards

A Brief Overview

We assembled a team of engineer and design experts to craft a React Native app and a scalable web platform, facilitating online meal ordering for modern customers - in just three months. Along with the agile platform, our custom content management system streamlined efficiency, empowering Kernel's revolutionary vision for the fast casual industry.

Services

Kernel
NextJS
React
Sanity CMS
GraphQL
Figma
Vercel
Sanity
The Challenge

Rapid Growth Across Tight Deadlines

In a collaboration with Chipotle's CEO Steve Ells and the Kernel team, we embarked on a mission to revolutionize fast casual ordering experience. Tasked with developing a mobile app from scratch within an accelerated deadline to coincide with Kernel's NYC grand opening, our team surpassed expectations, delivering a feature-rich app and website that resonated with their modern customers.

The Challenge
Our Approach

A Unified Codebase to Enhance Their Competitive Edge

The web and mobile applications built, streamline the ordering and pickup process across all restaurant locations, offering seamless access to each establishment's menu. With designated cubbies for easy pickup, customers enjoy a hassle-free experience from order to receipt.

To ensure continuous innovation and efficiency, we integrated a content management system (CMS) into the platform. Leveraging tools such as Swell and Stripe, alongside a custom order management system, we optimized processing, analytics, and marketing efforts. This approach, enhances the user experience and empowers Kernel with invaluable insights into customer behavior.

Our Approach

React Native Cross Platform Development

The strategic adoption of React Native for Kernel's app development unified iOS and Android codebases, optimizing workflow efficiency and expediting iteration cycles. Its modular architecture and hot-reload capability enabled agile adjustments, fostering adaptability and responsiveness in development processes. Furthermore, React Native's rich ecosystem seamlessly integrated native functionalities, elevating both performance metrics and user satisfaction.

By leveraging React Native, we maximized resource utilization and minimized time-to-market, showcasing a commitment to innovation and operational excellence - driving significant value and competitive advantage for Kernel in the fast-paced dining industry.

Translating a Powerful Visual Brand Style

Rapid Development and Deployment with NextJS and Vercel

Using NextJS and Vercel, we supported Kernel in achieving more than just a fast, SEO-friendly website; they secured a dynamic online presence from day one. With server-side rendering ensuring swift page loads and seamless content updates, Kernel's website stood out in the digital landscape. This setup not only provided scalability to meet increasing demand effortlessly but also freed up resources to concentrate on enhancing user experience rather than managing infrastructure.

By leveraging these technologies, we met immediate goals and established a comprehensive developer-friendly foundation for future growth and innovation for Kernel's internal team.

Unified Content Management Across Platforms with Sanity CMS

Using Sanity CMS for content management unified Kernel's content across mobile and web apps, ensuring consistency and real-time updates without app deployments. Its structured content approach meant instant updates across platforms, enhancing user experience. With a customizable editor and powerful API, it integrated smoothly with React Native and NextJS, streamlining content management. This strategic move optimized efficiency and scalability to support Kernel's growth.

Unified Content Management Across Platforms with Sanity CMS

The Impact - Strategic Project Management and Roadmap Prioritization

The ImpactStrategic Project Management and Roadmap Prioritization

In the Kernel project, our role extended beyond traditional project management; we spearheaded the strategic planning and execution across the web, mobile, and CMS teams. Employing agile development practices, we ensured that each team worked in concert, aligning closely with Kernel's business objectives and user experience goals. Our hands-on approach in managing these key areas allowed for agile iteration and optimization based on real-time feedback from stakeholders and end-users. Through meticulous roadmap prioritization, we focused on delivering immediate value while setting the stage for scalable growth. This strategy was pivotal in harmonizing the efforts of the web, mobile, and CMS teams, culminating in a cohesive digital ecosystem that propelled Kernel to the forefront of the fast-casual dining industry.

40%

Increase in Weekly Orders

Over a period of 8 weeks, weekly orders increased from 208 to 293 orders.

31.1%

Conversion for Mobile App users

This is the median between session started and checkout completed, which has an average time of 3m 7s.

Hear from the client
“The journey of the native app started 4 months ago - it is unbelievable what we have been able to achieve, it is everything we all hoped and dreamed for."
Stephen Goldstein, PRESIDENTKERNEL