Restostar
Turning restaurant feedback into 5-star reviews while managing critical issues privately.
Context & Overview
New restaurant owners often fail because one bad public review can tank their reputation. Restostar provides a buffer, funnelling happy guests to Google/TripAdvisor and unhappy ones to a private resolution channel.
The Challenge
Problem Statement
Restaurants have no control over whether a guest complains privately or publicly. Public complaints cause permanent brand damage.
Why It Matters
A half-star increase in rating can lead to a 19% increase in bookings during peak hours.
Constraints
- Must be extremely simple for non-tech savvy guests (QR code only).
- Mobile-first experience is non-negotiable.
Goals & Metrics
Objectives
- Increase the volume of positive public reviews.
- Decrease the ratio of negative public reviews.
- Provide owners with actionable operational data.
Target KPIs
- Conversion rate (Scan to Review)
- NPS Score
- Private vs Public feedback ratio
Research & Discovery
Methodology
Key Insights
- Owners are busy; they need 'set and forget' tools.
- Guests are willing to leave feedback if it takes less than 30 seconds.
Approach & Strategy
The 'Feedback Funnel': A binary psychological choice (Good vs Bad) that routes the user flow accordingly.
Frameworks
Hook Model (Trigger -> Action -> Reward), Mobile-First Design
Collaboration
Iterated on the UI with a local café partner.
The Solution
A web-based QR landing page system. 'Good' experience? One-tap link to Google Maps review. 'Bad' experience? A simple form that emails the owner immediately.
App Visuals
Design Rationale
Web-based (no app download) reduces friction to near zero, essential for casual dining contexts.
Execution
Roadmap
Week 1-2
Core Routing Logic
Week 3-4
Dashboard & Analytics
Week 5-6
Beta Test
Challenges Overcome
- ⚠ Email deliverability for alerts (Solved with transactional email service).
- ⚠ preventing spam submissions (Added rate limiting).
Outcomes & Impact
Quantifiable Results
- 1.MVP deployed to local pilot location
- 2.Captured 15+ critical feedback items privately in first month
- 3.Zero negative public reviews during pilot
Qualitative Feedback
"Owner reported feeling 'more in control' of their reputation."
"Staff used feedback to correct service issues same-day."
Learnings & Future
Key Takeaways
- Speed is everything in feedback.
- Negative feedback is actually valuable data if captured privately.
Next Steps
- Multi-location support for chains
- SMS follow-ups
- POS integration