DIRIGIO

About DIRIGIO

DIRIGIO Inc. operates as a technology solutions provider for the food service industry in Japan, concentrating on the digital transformation of restaurants. The company was established on July 7, 2016, by Yuki Honda, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer. Honda's direction for the company was shaped by his firsthand experiences working at a restaurant during his time at Keio University, where he identified operational inefficiencies that could be solved with technology.

The firm's core offering is "PICKS," a comprehensive mobile ordering platform that enables food and beverage establishments to launch and manage their own branded takeout and delivery services. This end-to-end service encompasses the entire process from initial setup to ongoing operations, providing restaurants with a customizable, proprietary web or app-based storefront. A key feature of the platform is its package-based design, which lowers the initial development cost and allows businesses without in-house engineers to tailor the system to their brand identity. The platform facilitates pre-ordering and cashless payments, allowing customers to schedule pickups without waiting, thereby enhancing the user experience.

DIRIGIO's business model is centered on providing this platform to a range of clients, from individual shops to larger chains, helping them to streamline operations, manage labor shortages, and tap into the growing market for pre-ordered meals. The company serves as a direct partner to these establishments, even handling customer inquiries related to the ordering system on their behalf. The platform has seen significant adoption, with over 6,500 restaurants utilizing the service.

The leadership team includes co-founder Takanori Kai as Chief Product Officer, who joined the company as an engineering intern while studying at the University of Tokyo and was instrumental in developing the PICKS product line. In July 2021, DIRIGIO entered into a capital and business alliance with Giftee Inc., a major e-gifting platform. This partnership evolved, and in November 2023, Giftee made DIRIGIO a consolidated subsidiary, aiming to generate synergy by integrating mobile ordering capabilities with its e-gift services and further accelerate the digital shift within the restaurant sector.