Human-Centered
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Research-Backed
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Iterative
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Human-Centered / Research-Backed / Iterative /
CAVA App Redesign
Aiming to accelerate its growth with digital ordering in fast casual dining, CAVA started its redesign with a prominent design agency to create a unique concept. However, shortly after my arrival, I discovered usability issues throughout.
With quick design iterations, user testing, and close collaboration with stakeholders, our internal team launched the new app in 2021.
Impact
Digital ordering grew to 45% of sales*, up from 19%.
CAVA revenue has continued to grow 19% yoy.
4.9-star App Store Rating.
Design patent filed & awarded.
*At the time of employment.
Specifications
Core Team
Ariana Kamar, Sr. UX Designer & PM
Stakeholders from Engineering,
Data Analytics, Business & Operations
External Agency
Research
11 Intercepts
60 Usability Tests
10 Customer Interviews
Technology
iOS & Android: React Native
Integration with 3rd party curbside and delivery APIs
Kitchen Display System (KDS) and Point of Sale (POS) platforms
Samples
SAMPLE ATeaching a New Behavior
When arriving at the menu, initially designed to mimic the iOS Emoji Keyboard, older users didn’t know they needed to swipe horizontally to see more of the menu.
I wireframed & tested 3 prototypes. The most subtle solution provided users the most delight and just enough information to convey what we needed.
As with any animation, this feature required close partnership with engineering and QA to make sure it was executed as elegantly as possible.
SAMPLE BRemoving Friction
The original concept was so minimal that testing revealed users would miss the price as the “Bag” mechanism and become frustrated. I added an explicit “Go to Checkout” section to catch the user at the end of their existing behavior: swiping through the horizontal menu.
I also added a feature found during our customer journey ideation: a shortcut to add a meal to their bag without leaving the editor view.
The result? More meals can be added to the bag and created quickly.
Previous Agency Layout
New Tested In-house Layout
SAMPLE CCreating Clarity
Once at checkout, users also found themselves confused while reviewing their custom order and how they would go about adding items or editing the meal. Fortunately, reworking the layout, iconography, and labels proved successful in testing.
The result? After the changes launched, order accuracy increased, meaning happier customers and less money lost in good-faith redo’s in the kitchen.