Chinnie’s Kitchen

Asian Cuisine, eCommerce, Restaurant Sites

Status:
Online
Client:
PopMenu
Established:
2025
URL:
chinnieskitchen.com
Location:
WA, USA
Project Scope:
Website Dev & Design, Platform Migration, OLO Setup, Catering Strategy

Project Overview

Saving a Local Staple from Stagnation

Chinnie’s Kitchen, a beloved Asian fusion spot in Everett, WA, was at a crossroads. Despite a loyal local following, the business was suffering from declining growth and a digital presence that was "dark, generic, and uninspiring." Trapped on a restrictive platform (Owner.com) that lacked marketing automation, Chin, the owner, was feeling the pressure—to the point of considering selling the business entirely.

The mission was a high-stakes rescue operation. We needed to execute a rapid migration to a new, dynamic platform before an expensive billing cycle hit. The goal was to re-energize the brand, unlocking new revenue streams like catering and marketing automation to prove that Chinnie’s Kitchen still had a bright future.

Challenges & Goals

The Challenges

Platform Lock-in: The previous provider offered no design flexibility or marketing tools, stifling the restaurant's ability to engage customers.

Timeline Pressure: We faced a hard deadline to launch the new site before the client was charged for another renewal cycle with the old host.

Brand Perception: The old site was dark and outdated, failing to reflect the vibrant, colorful energy of the restaurant's interior and food.

The Goals

Rapid Deployment: Execute a complete design, build, and integration strategy in record time to save the client costs.

Visual Revitalization: Pivot from a dark aesthetic to a bright, lively design using the brand's signature #318446 (Green), #ffcb01 (Yellow), and #88d4cf (Blue).

Revenue Diversification: Implement aggressive "Catering" and "Tray Ordering" callouts to target corporate clients and boost high-ticket sales.

Strategy & Approach

Phase 1: Visual Injection

We stripped away the generic dark mode of the previous site. Drawing inspiration from the clean structure of Tajoia Bothell, we customized the "How We Roll" template to serve as a bright canvas. We injected the brand's primary colors—Green, Yellow, and Blue—to create a high-energy interface that mirrors the restaurant's bar atmosphere.

Phase 2: Operational Sync

To ensure a smooth transition, we integrated Toast POS directly into the site. This maintained the kitchen's existing workflow while providing a superior front-end user experience. We also synced Google My Business to the Events page, ensuring Happy Hour and Trivia nights were automatically updated across search engines.

Phase 3: The "Action" UX

We prioritized conversion over clutter. The navigation was simplified to focus on high-traffic actions. Prominent "Order Now" and "Catering" CTAs were placed in the hero section and sticky headers, ensuring that mobile visitors could take action instantly without scrolling.

Solutions Delivered

Area	Highlight
Visual Design	Crafted a custom "Vibrant Fusion" theme using #318446, #ffcb01, and #88d4cf to match the lively in-store vibe.
POS Integration	Seamlessly connected Toast POS for online ordering, ensuring order accuracy and kitchen efficiency.
Catering Funnel	Built dedicated "Tray Ordering" sections and inquiry forms to capture corporate lunch leads.
Marketing Tools	Integrated Google My Business sync for automated event updates and enabled Popmenu's AIM marketing suite.
Mobile UX	Designed a mobile-first layout that prioritizes navigation ease and fast load times for on-the-go diners.