What factors are causing the sudden 30% decrease in restaurant partner sign-ups on Too Good To Go's platform in the last two weeks?

Introduction

The sudden 30% decrease in restaurant partner sign-ups on Too Good To Go's platform over the last two weeks is a critical issue that demands immediate attention. This analysis will systematically identify, validate, and address the root cause while considering both short-term and long-term implications for the business.

I'll approach this problem by first clarifying key details, ruling out external factors, and then diving deep into the product ecosystem, user journey, and metrics. From there, I'll generate data-driven hypotheses, conduct root cause analysis, and propose validation methods and solutions.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Looking at the timing, I'm thinking there might be a seasonal factor at play. Has this 30% decrease been compared to the same period last year?

Why it matters: Seasonal trends could explain the drop and influence our solution approach. Expected answer: Yes, it has been compared, and this decrease is unusual for this time of year. Impact on approach: If seasonal, we'd focus on year-over-year comparisons; if not, we'd investigate recent changes.

• Considering the metric specificity, I'm curious about the sign-up funnel. Has there been a change in the number of restaurants starting but not completing the sign-up process?

Why it matters: This could indicate issues with the onboarding flow or value proposition communication. Expected answer: There's been an increase in incomplete sign-ups. Impact on approach: If true, we'd focus on optimizing the sign-up flow and messaging.

• Given the suddenness of the drop, I'm wondering about any recent platform changes. Have there been any significant updates to the partner sign-up process or terms in the last month?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly impact partner willingness to sign up. Expected answer: A new verification step was added two weeks ago. Impact on approach: If confirmed, we'd investigate the impact of this specific change.

• Considering potential data anomalies, I'm curious about our tracking systems. Has there been any maintenance or changes to our analytics setup recently?

Why it matters: Ensures we're working with accurate data and not chasing a phantom problem. Expected answer: No changes to analytics, data has been double-checked. Impact on approach: If data integrity is confirmed, we'd focus on real-world factors rather than technical issues.