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Michael MancusoProduct & technology executive
Projects & case studies

Complex work.
Concrete results.

Product launches, operating-model changes, and complex AI-enabled builds. Explore the business problem, the decisions I led, and what changed.

Built with agents

Product strategy and a repository-based second brain.

Phase 3 Benefits brings eight health, commuter, and wage-law account types onto one payment card. I built a repository-based second brain—product strategy, specifications, verified facts, and agent memory—to keep AI development aligned.

Specification-driven development at platform scale.

Shared FHIR-based contracts coordinated parallel development across clinical, operational, and financial workflows.

Leadership case studies

Showing 6 of 38

Wendy's

Transformed the 404 error page into an engaging BurgerTime arcade game, delighting over 50,000 users and enhancing team creativity and brand reinforcement.

01

Challenge

During a website migration, the Wendy's team participated in ShipIt Day, an internal innovation event. During this event, the team built a proof of concept (POC) for a creative 404 error page that would offer users a fun and engaging experience. The idea was to create a classic arcade game, BurgerTime, with a unique Wendy's twist: users would make a 4 for $4 meal while avoiding frozen hamburger patties.

02

Action

To bring this innovative idea to life, the team took several key steps:

  • Concept Development: Designed a game concept that combined the nostalgic elements of the classic BurgerTime arcade game with Wendy's branding and menu items.
  • Game Design and Development: Developed a fully functional game where users could control a character to assemble a 4 for $4 meal while dodging obstacles such as frozen hamburger patties.
  • User Experience Enhancement: Ensured the game was seamlessly integrated into the 404 error page, providing an unexpected and delightful experience for users who encountered it.
  • Team Collaboration: Fostered a collaborative environment during ShipIt Day, allowing team members from different departments to contribute their skills and creativity to the project.
03

Results

The Burger Time 404 page exceeded expectations and delivered several positive outcomes:

  • Engaging User Experience: The game provided a delightful and interactive experience for over 50,000 users, turning a potentially frustrating moment into a fun and memorable one.
  • Enhanced Team Culture: The project fostered a sense of teamwork and creativity, strengthening the team culture and encouraging innovative thinking within the organization.
  • Brand Reinforcement: The game reinforced Wendy's brand values of fun and quality, creating a unique touchpoint that resonated with users and enhanced brand loyalty.

Questions

What is the BurgerTime 404 page?

The BurgerTime 404 page was a creative, branded error page for Wendys.com inspired by the classic BurgerTime arcade game, turning a frustrating user experience into an engaging brand moment.

Why is a custom 404 page important for user experience?

A custom 404 page reduces bounce rates, maintains brand consistency, and turns a negative experience into a positive one by keeping users engaged and providing clear navigation back to relevant content.

How did the BurgerTime 404 page reflect Wendy's brand strategy?

The playful, game-inspired 404 page aligned with Wendy's fun, irreverent brand voice while demonstrating attention to detail in the digital experience — even on error pages.

How was the BurgerTime game built during ShipIt Day?

The team built the game as a proof of concept during ShipIt Day, an internal innovation event. The concept — a Wendy's-themed BurgerTime game where users make a 4 for $4 meal while avoiding frozen hamburger patties — was so well-received it went to production.

How many users did the game reach?

The case records more than 50,000 users of the Wendy’s-themed BurgerTime experience on the 404 page.

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