Enhancing Restaurant Digital Experiences with House of Giants
In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast, host Jeremy Julian sits down with Jeremiah and Dominic, the founders of House of Giants. They discuss the critical importance of web front-end interfaces, data integration, and how restaurants can leverage AI and design to create a seamless digital guest experience.
You can listen to the full conversation on the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast Ep. 282.
The Script: Revolutionizing the Digital Dining Experience
Jeremy Julian: Welcome back to the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast! I’m your host, Jeremy Julian. Today, we’re diving into the "front door" of your digital brand. Many restaurants focus on the kitchen or the POS, but often forget how the guest actually interacts with them online. Joining me today are the experts from House of Giants—Jeremiah and Dominic. Guys, thanks for being here.
Jeremiah: Thanks for having us, Jeremy. It’s a pleasure.
Dominic: Glad to be here!
The Role of House of Giants
Jeremy Julian: To kick things off, tell our listeners a bit about what you do at House of Giants and why you decided to focus on the restaurant space.
Jeremiah: We really focus on pushing the boundaries of web front-end interfaces. In the restaurant world, we saw a lot of "clunky" experiences—where the transition from a brand’s website to their online ordering system felt like two completely different worlds. We help brands unify that experience.
Dominic: Exactly. We’re looking at how to make data from various sources—like loyalty programs, menus, and location services—work together so the user doesn’t have to jump through hoops just to order a burger.
The Challenge: Fragmented Data
Jeremy Julian: That’s a huge pain point. I see it all the time—a beautiful website that leads to a generic, ugly ordering page. Why is it so hard for restaurants to get this right?
Dominic: It usually comes down to data management. Restaurants have data everywhere: their POS, their loyalty provider, their third-party delivery apps.
Jeremiah: Our discovery process is all about identifying those silos. We want to architect a solution where the user experience is unified. If a guest has a favorite order, it should be front and center the moment they hit the site, regardless of what platform is powering the backend.
The Impact of Design on Sales
Jeremy Julian: How much does a better interface actually move the needle for a restaurant operator?
Dominic: It’s massive. When you improve the user experience (UX) and make the path to purchase shorter, you see a direct correlation in conversion rates. If you make it easy and visually appealing, people spend more.
Jeremiah: We also look at "data-driven decisions." We don't just design things because they look cool; we look at where users are dropping off and how we can use AI to enhance those interactions—like suggestive selling that actually feels helpful rather than annoying.
Looking Toward the Future: AI and Integration
Jeremy Julian: You mentioned AI. How are you guys leveraging it right now to help your clients?
Jeremiah: We’re using it to personalize the experience. AI can help us understand guest behavior in real-time, allowing the website to adapt. If it’s raining outside, maybe the site highlights delivery options more prominently.
Dominic: It’s about being proactive rather than reactive. The goal is a seamless digital journey that feels as hospitable as walking into a physical restaurant.
Closing Thoughts
Jeremy Julian: This has been great. For operators out there feeling like their digital presence is a bit dated, where should they start?
Dominic: Start with the guest. Walk through your own ordering process on a phone—not a desktop—and see where you get frustrated. That’s your starting point.
Jeremy Julian: Great advice. Jeremiah, Dominic—thank you both for joining us and sharing these insights.
Jeremiah: Thanks for having us, Jeremy!