Okay, so I’ve been messing around with this idea for a “food court solution,” and let me tell you, it’s been a journey. I started with this simple idea: Wouldn’t it be cool to have a better way to handle the lunchtime rush at the food court?
First, I observed. Like, really watched what was going on. I spent a few days just hanging out at the food court during peak hours, taking notes. I saw long lines, confused people looking for tables, and overflowing trash cans.
The Problems I Spotted
- Long Wait Times: People were spending more time in line than actually eating.
- Table Chaos: Finding an empty table was like winning the lottery.
- Messy Environment: Trash cans were full, and tables weren’t being cleaned fast enough.
Then, I brainstormed. I sketched out some ideas on a napkin (classic, right?). I thought about apps, kiosks, maybe even some kind of robot waiter (that was a bit ambitious, I admit).
I decided to focus on a simple kiosk system. My thinking was, people could order and pay at the kiosk, then just pick up their food when it’s ready. This would cut down on the lines at the counters.
Next up, I prototyped. I used a basic website builder to create a mock-up of the kiosk interface. It wasn’t pretty, but it let me test out the basic flow: choose a restaurant, select items, pay, and get a pickup number.
Then, I got real, i try to Tested it with friends. I set up my laptop in my kitchen, pretended it was a kiosk, and had my friends “order” food. It was kind of hilarious, but I got some great feedback. They pointed out things I hadn’t even thought of, like how to handle modifications (no onions, extra sauce, etc.).
I iterated. I made changes based on the feedback. I simplified the menu, added options for modifications, and made the payment process clearer.
I implemented a really rough version, I have to show to manager and ask some food court staff’s option, then, I realised this thing is more big.
I also, thought about adding a feature to show estimated wait times, so people would know how long they’d have to wait for their food.
Finally, I’m looking forward, I’m still working on this. It’s definitely not perfect yet, but it’s a start. I’m thinking about adding features like table reservations and maybe even integrating with some kind of delivery system. The possibilities are endless!
