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The Challenge & Process

Punchh's white-label mobile framework powered hundreds of restaurant apps, but we had a problem: our interface looked dated compared to competitors. This became critical during the pandemic when mobile delivery orders surged and restaurants needed apps that matched user expectations set by industry leaders.

The white-label model presented unique design challenges. Our framework served everyone from quick-service chains to upscale restaurants, each with different needs. Some had complex reward systems; others needed extensive food customization options. The framework had to be flexible enough to accommodate these variations while maintaining usability and modern aesthetics.

As the sole mobile designer, I owned the entire mobile product from research to final UI. I started with competitive analysis, studying leading restaurant apps to understand what "modern" meant in this space. I wasn't looking to copy—I needed to understand the patterns and features that users had come to expect.

User research studies revealed diverse dining patterns and preferences across different restaurant types. I created detailed wireframes mapping various user journeys—from discovering deals to customizing orders to redeeming rewards. Flow charts helped me visualize how different restaurant types would implement the framework.

The prototyping phase was iterative. I designed multiple UI variations and presented them for stakeholder review, balancing aesthetic modernization with the practical constraints of white-label customization. Each iteration tested different approaches to solving the "one framework, many brands" problem.

The Challenge & Process

Punchh's white-label mobile framework powered hundreds of restaurant apps, but we had a problem: our interface looked dated compared to competitors. This became critical during the pandemic when mobile delivery orders surged and restaurants needed apps that matched user expectations set by industry leaders.

The white-label model presented unique design challenges. Our framework served everyone from quick-service chains to upscale restaurants, each with different needs. Some had complex reward systems; others needed extensive food customization options. The framework had to be flexible enough to accommodate these variations while maintaining usability and modern aesthetics.

As the sole mobile designer, I owned the entire mobile product from research to final UI. I started with competitive analysis, studying leading restaurant apps to understand what "modern" meant in this space. I wasn't looking to copy—I needed to understand the patterns and features that users had come to expect.

User research studies revealed diverse dining patterns and preferences across different restaurant types. I created detailed wireframes mapping various user journeys—from discovering deals to customizing orders to redeeming rewards. Flow charts helped me visualize how different restaurant types would implement the framework.

The prototyping phase was iterative. I designed multiple UI variations and presented them for stakeholder review, balancing aesthetic modernization with the practical constraints of white-label customization. Each iteration tested different approaches to solving the "one framework, many brands" problem.

The Solution & Impact

The redesigned framework delivered a contemporary interface that finally matched our competitors while solving the white-label customization challenge.

I built a modular component system that separated brand-neutral structure from customizable brand elements. The core interaction patterns—navigation, content hierarchy, action buttons—followed modern mobile conventions. These provided the contemporary feel users expected. Brand customization points (colors, logos, imagery, specific menu structures) could be adapted without breaking the underlying usability.

The framework accommodated varied reward systems through flexible component designs. Whether a restaurant used points-based rewards, punch cards, or tiered memberships, the interface adapted while maintaining consistency. Food customization flows worked similarly—the framework supported everything from simple "add-ons" to complex build-your-own configurations.

I integrated features users expected from leading food delivery apps: clear nutritional information, saved favorites, easy reordering, and intuitive checkout flows. These weren't just visual additions—each feature was designed to work within the white-label structure.

The impact came at a critical moment. As pandemic-driven delivery orders surged, restaurants using Punchh could offer their customers a mobile experience on par with industry leaders. The framework supported their growth without forcing them to sacrifice brand identity. Restaurants maintained their unique look and feel while benefiting from contemporary UX patterns.

For Punchh, the redesign moved us from "functional at minimum" to genuinely competitive. During a period when restaurants were evaluating their technology partners, we could demonstrate a modern mobile experience that met rising user expectations.

Punchh

As Lead Mobile UX Designer at Punchh, I owned the complete redesign of our white-label mobile framework—the foundation for hundreds of restaurant apps across the country. The pandemic had accelerated mobile delivery adoption, but our dated interface risked losing restaurant clients to competitors offering superior experiences. The unique challenge was designing a system that could be customized for diverse restaurant needs (from reward redemption to complex food ordering) while maintaining a consistent, modern foundation. Through competitive analysis, user research, and extensive prototyping, I created a contemporary framework that matched industry leaders while preserving the flexibility our restaurant clients required.

Type

UX/UI Design

Type

UX/UI Design

Client

Luminor Lighting Co.

Client

Luminor Lighting Co.

Punchh

As Lead Mobile UX Designer at Punchh, I owned the complete redesign of our white-label mobile framework—the foundation for hundreds of restaurant apps across the country. The pandemic had accelerated mobile delivery adoption, but our dated interface risked losing restaurant clients to competitors offering superior experiences. The unique challenge was designing a system that could be customized for diverse restaurant needs (from reward redemption to complex food ordering) while maintaining a consistent, modern foundation. Through competitive analysis, user research, and extensive prototyping, I created a contemporary framework that matched industry leaders while preserving the flexibility our restaurant clients required.

Type

UX/UI Design

Client

Luminor Lighting Co.