Designing the I Luv Lunch Online Ordering System

Role: Co-Owner, Brand & Systems Designer

The Challenge

After Something Small Catering became known for small-event experiences, I wanted to create a new revenue stream that could operate during weekdays without adding full-time staffing or heavy logistics.

Lunch felt like an opportunity — but also a pain point. So many people, myself included, dread making lunch every day. I wanted to design a concept that would make lunch feel easy, enjoyable, and fresh again. I Luv Lunch was born from that idea — a seasonal lunch brand with playful energy and rotating menus that give customers something different from the standard BLT or chicken salad. (Ours, for example, is a Pimento Cheese BLT — a nod to local flavor.)

The challenge was to design a system that allowed customers to order easily online while giving us enough prep time and control to keep quality high.

Pimento Cheese BLT from our I Luv Lunch Menu

The Process

To streamline ordering, I used the Square Online platform, which already handled our catering invoicing, and linked it directly to our Squarespace site for a seamless user experience and unified payment system.

I configured the site to include a two-day prep window, preventing same-day orders and ensuring we had time to plan production. Square automatically blocks orders within 12 hours of pickup or delivery, and I update unavailable dates manually for holidays and high-volume catering weeks. (This safeguard was added after an unexpected Thanksgiving-week order taught us the importance of blacking out dates early.)

When an order comes in, both my business partner and I receive instant alerts through the Square app and by email. We check the date and delivery time, add the order to the shared calendar, and print it for production planning. Orders are prepared individually but often overlap with existing prep for catering, creating natural efficiency in ingredient use and timing.

The Outcome

The I Luv Lunch system allows us to capture weekday business without increasing administrative load. Orders are consistent, tracked, and organized through a single platform, and the 2-day buffer protects production flow.

The brand has also expanded our reach — attracting customers who first try the lunch service and later book catering for events. The automated system keeps everything synchronized while maintaining the creative, made-to-order experience our brand is known for.

Reflection

Designing I Luv Lunch taught me how automation can preserve creativity when used with intention. By building structure around timing, availability, and workflow, we’ve created a system that works with us, not against us — freeing more time for menu innovation and brand storytelling.

The next phase will focus on integrating third-party delivery (DoorDash) and expanding our seasonal menu cycles to maintain momentum year-round.