Revitalizing Bites Café and Sushi 86's Brand and Online Presence

When Bites Café approached me, they were planning a significant move to a new downtown location. This move also involved their sister restaurant, Sushi 86, which had been a staple in downtown Cleveland for over 20 years. Both restaurants were located in separate spots within the 5th Street Arcades, but an opportunity arose to move to a stunning new location on East 9th Street, right on the lake and just behind the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Services

• eCommerce Website

• Brand Identity

• Graphic Design

• Brand Collateral

The Challenge

A Dual-Restaurant Overhaul

The project was ambitious. The back area of the new space would house Sushi 86, transformed into an upscale sit-down bar and restaurant. The front would be home to Bites Café, which was pivoting from its former lunch fare to a community-centric coffee shop offering breakfast, boba tea, and ice cream. This dual overhaul required a cohesive yet distinct brand refresh for each restaurant, unified POS and online ordering systems, and a seamless integration of their eCommerce platforms.

Research & Planning

The project began with extensive research into the café and restaurant markets, which included:

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Identifying the Target Audience

I focused on local residents, office workers, tourists, and food enthusiasts who value quality and unique dining experiences.

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Identifying Peers & Competition

I analyzed other upscale restaurants and local coffee shops with strong visual identities and successful online presences.

Based on these insights, I established the following design principles to guide the rest of the project:

Distinct and Authentic Brand Identities

Create unique and authentic brand identities that reflect the individual character and energy of each restaurant.

Visual Appeal and Functionality

Develop eye-catching designs and ensure the eCommerce platforms are user-friendly and seamlessly integrated with their POS systems.

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Budget-Friendly Solutions

Implement cost-effective strategies to maintain a high-quality brand presence without exceeding budget constraints.

The Solution

A Comprehensive Design and eCommerce Strategy

Establishing Visual Identities

For Bites Café, I developed vibrant brand assets that conveyed the life and energy of their sunny new location. This included incorporating the beautiful floral paintings commissioned for the café into the design. For Sushi 86, I refreshed the brand identity to exude a more upscale and sophisticated energy, reflecting its transformation into an elegant bar and restaurant.

Packaging and Physical Assets

I created cohesive packaging designs and physical assets for both restaurants, including menu systems, signage, takeout container labeling, and stickers. Each design was tailored to enhance the unique vibe of the respective eateries.

Unified POS and eCommerce Platforms

Both restaurants were previously on disparate platforms for their POS and online ordering. After evaluating various options and budgets, we decided to move forward with Toast as the unified platform. I developed new Toast websites for each restaurant, ensuring that the essence and vibe of the two uniquely different eateries were captured. The new platform unified their POS, eCommerce, and back-of-house systems, providing a seamless experience for both staff and customers.

The Results

A Seamless Transformation

My comprehensive approach enabled Bites Café and Sushi 86 to transition smoothly to their new location with strong, cohesive brand identities and integrated online presence. The refreshed visual identities and packaging designs received positive feedback from customers, enhancing the reputation of both establishments. The new Toast websites and unified systems provided a seamless experience, leading to increased customer engagement and satisfaction.

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By partnering with Bites Café and Sushi 86, I helped them transform their new lakeside location into a vibrant culinary destination. This case study highlights my ability to deliver end-to-end design and eCommerce solutions, making me the ideal choice for businesses looking to revitalize their brand and online presence.

Conclusion

Revitalizing Bites Café and Sushi 86 has been a rewarding journey, showcasing my ability to create compelling brand identities and engaging eCommerce platforms for multiple unique eateries. If you are looking for a freelance designer to build an effective online presence and develop cohesive brand identities, I have the expertise and creativity to bring your vision to life. Let's create something amazing together.