Leon Penkovich - Product Designer & UX Architect

Sodexo (Cibus) {

Sodexo Restaurant Management Portal

project name;

  • - Order Manamgment
  • - Restaurant Profile


industry;

  • - Food-Tech

  • role;
  • - Head of Design
  • - UX Architect

Restaurant owners and managers face growing challenges as food ordering increased by 40% in Israel alone since 2010. This shift means that nearly half of a restaurant’s income is now coming from outside the venue, making it harder to control customer satisfaction. While food delivery is not a new concept, maintaining visibility and managing the factors that impact CSAT (customer satisfaction) can be difficult. This platform is designed to support restaurant managers, owners, and those responsible for Take Away (TA) and food deliveries by providing real-time alerts about critical issues, such as out-of-stock items or late deliveries. The goal is to prevent scenarios that could lead to customer dissatisfaction, helping ensure smoother operations and maintaining high satisfaction levels without directly affecting the restaurant’s score.

project overview;


The Sodexo Restaurant Management Portal was created to streamline operations for restaurant partners, strengthen their connection with Sodexo, and drive mutual business growth. The platform consolidates tools for managing daily operations, financial tracking, and community engagement, while also providing opportunities for revenue expansion. Designed to serve diverse restaurant types, the portal simplifies complex workflows, making it an essential tool for operational efficiency and strategic decision-making.

This project required a deep understanding of user needs and business goals, which guided my approach as the UX Researcher and Lead Designer. By integrating user insights and aligning them with Sodexo’s strategic objectives, I shaped a user-centered, scalable solution that meets the demands of both restaurant operators and Sodexo’s internal teams.

impact & achievments;


A 50% reduction in administrative burden and significant improvements in operational workflows for Sodexo's restaurant partners

The portal drove a 30% increase in restaurants joining or upgrading their Sodexo plans by building trust and loyalty among partners.


New revenue opportunities for both Sodexo and the restaurants using the platform.


The portal was designed to support various restaurant types, including chains and event caterers, with a goal of onboarding 2,000 restaurants in its first year to maximize adoption and impact.

The portal helped increase Cibus orders by up to 25% without impacting restaurant scores, providing real-time financial data and insights that boosted business performance.

Building a bussiness profile;

Setup business profile


The first step in onboarding restaurants to the Sodexo app is setting up their business profile. This includes entering key details such as the restaurant’s cuisine type, opening hours, menus available for orders, and any kosher certifications. Once this profile is complete, restaurants configure their delivery settings, including delivery areas, minimum order requirements, and other operational parameters.

In designing this process, I conducted research into how restaurant owners use other digital tools and services. I analyzed their workflow to determine how much time they can realistically dedicate to such tasks during busy hours. With this in mind, I focused on creating a design that allows for quick yet accurate setup, ensuring that essential information is clear and reliable, preventing any misunderstandings for new customers or regular diners.

Restaurant's profile section

All the details that restaurants input during the initial setup process are displayed in the Restaurant Profile section of the Sodexo app, which can be easily accessed for future edits or updates. My research revealed that a significant portion of restaurant owners and managers prefer to use the mobile version of the app for these tasks, as smartphones are integral to their daily workflows. Recognizing this, I ensured the design offered seamless functionality for updating and managing profile details, including the ability to upload or modify media files like logos at any time.

The data entered during the setup process directly mirrors the restaurant’s digital profile within Sodexo’s platform, which customers use to search for dining options. This synchronization ensures all profiles remain accurate and accessible, making it easier for customers to make informed choices. Additionally, segmentation options were integrated to refine searches, enhancing the customer experience and the visibility of the restaurants.

By offering a clear summary, this step ensures that profiles are accurate and error-free, minimizing the risk of misleading or incomplete information. This final feature, designed for clarity and ease of use, reinforces trust and confidence for both users and customers.


Restaurant page preview

Through in-depth interviews and discussions with stakeholders, including restaurant owners, managers, and delivery coordinators, I identified the need for a step-by-step setup wizard. This feature consolidates all inputted data into a comprehensive preview, allowing users to validate their profiles before they go live.



Main order managment screen


This is the main screen where users manage their online food orders. Orders can be viewed individually or grouped as bulk orders. For example, if multiple orders come from the same location or building, the system uses AI to consolidate them for optimal delivery efficiency, saving time for the delivery staff.

The interface includes delivery status icons indicating each order’s progress, such as:

Received, Being prepared, Packaged, or On the road. Additionally, color-coded notifications alert order managers to situations requiring their intervention. For instance, they can act on orders below the minimum amount that cannot be delivered, late orders that can still be expedited, or significantly delayed orders requiring customer outreach to prevent complaints.



Order details

Users can expand individual orders or bulk orders to view detailed delivery information. This includes a dedicated map showing the exact delivery address, along with key details such as the floor number, company name, contact phone number, estimated delivery time, the name of the person who placed the order, and a breakdown of exactly what was ordered, making the process more efficient and user-friendly.

In the case of unmanaged bulk orders—where multiple people place individual orders from the same restaurant—this detailed view helps managers track each order separately, ensuring all items are correctly prepared and delivered to the right recipients. This level of granularity enhances efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction.