In the wake of the European Union's Green Deal, Germany instated a law on 01.01.2023 mandating restaurants to offer reusable containers to customers who wish to carry their food away. Recognizing an innovative business opportunity, a wholesale company—already a player in providing goods and services to restaurants—collaborated with Browserbite and a partner agency to craft a tech-driven solution.

Challenge

The challenge was threefold:

1. Facilitate the easy transfer of reusable container ownership from restaurants to end consumers, and back.

2. Ensure consumers are charged only if they don't return the containers within a stipulated time.

3. Seamlessly integrate with existing systems—like the internal warehouse management system and Salesforce—without disrupting current operations.

Solution

A multi-faceted software approach was adopted:

1. Mobile App for Consumers: Built using React Native, this app allowed end consumers to manage the transfer of reusable container ownership. By scanning the unique QR code on each container, they could indicate the transfer or return of the container.

2. Mobile App for Waiters: This React Native app allowed waiters to manage the handover of containers to consumers and their eventual return, ensuring the smooth functioning of the entire cycle.

3. Web App for Restaurant Managers: Crafted in React, this platform provided restaurant managers with an interface to manage the entire process from their end, from tracking containers to monitoring returns.

4. API Development: A Nest.js based API was developed to bridge the apps with the internal warehouse management system, ensuring timely dispatch of containers to restaurants.

5. Payment & Tracking: Stripe was integrated to manage payments. Consumers had a two-week window to return the containers. Failing which, they were charged, ensuring accountability.

6. Salesforce Integration: Recognizing the importance of sales for the end client, a seamless Salesforce integration was incorporated. This allowed the client’s sales team to stay informed and updated.

Results

The software suite revolutionized the way restaurants and consumers interacted with reusable containers.

1. Restaurants embraced the solution due to the ease of use and minimal transaction fee for each container handed out.

2. Consumers appreciated the environment-friendly initiative and found the mobile app’s interface intuitive.

3. The wholesale company successfully tested a new service offering, providing reusable containers free of charge to restaurants, and strengthened its market position.

Conclusion

This project exemplifies how technological innovation can drive environmental sustainability, especially when backed by forward-thinking businesses. With its expertise in software development and design, Browserbite demonstrated its prowess in translating a complex requirement into a seamless, user-friendly solution.