A holding bin includes a plurality of compartments defined across a width of the holding bin, each compartment of the plurality of compartments configured to receive a plurality of food holding trays. A housing defines an outer perimeter of the holding bin. A first display is secured through the housing. A second display is removably secured to the housing. A controller is communicatively connected to the first display and the second display. The controller is configured to operate the first display and the second display to coordinatedly present a location and a status of a food tray within a compartment of the plurality of compartments.

A holding bin includes a plurality of compartments defined across a width of the holding bin, each compartment of the plurality of compartments configured to receive a plurality of food holding trays. A housing defines an outer perimeter of the holding bin. A first display is secured through the housing. A second display is removably secured to the housing. A controller is communicatively connected to the first display and the second display. The controller is configured to operate the first display and the second display to coordinatedly present a location and a status of a food tray within a compartment of the plurality of compartments.

An escapement mechanism of a cutlery dispenser causes a cutlery article to fall from a vertical stack onto a slide track that guides it to a dispensing position. A slide channel and head channel of the slide track can laterally confine the cutlery article. A dampening surface can reduce cutlery bouncing and skewing. The escapement mechanism can include at least three pivots and/or a coil return spring. Dispensers can be installed in a base in any desired combination and retained therein by compatible features such as flanges and slots that prevent dispenser tipping. In embodiments, individual dispensers can be horizontally slid part-way out of the base to access side features that would otherwise be obscured by a neighboring dispenser. A cutlery quantity indicator can laterally contact the cutlery stack and can pivot to display a low-cutlery signal when the cutlery stack falls below an indicator height.

An escapement mechanism of a cutlery dispenser causes a cutlery article to fall from a vertical stack onto a slide track that guides it to a dispensing position. A slide channel and head channel of the slide track can laterally confine the cutlery article. A dampening surface can reduce cutlery bouncing and skewing. The escapement mechanism can include at least three pivots and/or a coil return spring. Dispensers can be installed in a base in any desired combination and retained therein by compatible features such as flanges and slots that prevent dispenser tipping. In embodiments, individual dispensers can be horizontally slid part-way out of the base to access side features that would otherwise be obscured by a neighboring dispenser. A cutlery quantity indicator can laterally contact the cutlery stack and can pivot to display a low-cutlery signal when the cutlery stack falls below an indicator height.

Disclosed is an ordered food and drink conveyance apparatus capable of reducing the number of man-hours required for conveying food and drink in a store as much as possible. A lifting device that raises food and drink placed on a belt conveyor and separates it from the belt conveyor is provided at an end point or in the middle of a conveyance path from a kitchen side to a customer seat floor side of a restaurant.

Disclosed is an ordered food and drink conveyance apparatus capable of reducing the number of man-hours required for conveying food and drink in a store as much as possible. A lifting device that raises food and drink placed on a belt conveyor and separates it from the belt conveyor is provided at an end point or in the middle of a conveyance path from a kitchen side to a customer seat floor side of a restaurant.

An escapement mechanism of a cutlery dispenser causes a cutlery article to fall from a vertical stack onto a slide track that guides it to a dispensing position. A slide channel and head channel of the slide track can laterally confine the cutlery article. A dampening surface can reduce cutlery bouncing and skewing. The escapement mechanism can include at least three pivots and/or a coil return spring. Dispensers can be installed in a base in any desired combination and retained therein by compatible features such as flanges and slots that prevent dispenser tipping. In embodiments, individual dispensers can be horizontally slid part-way out of the base to access side features that would otherwise be obscured by a neighboring dispenser. A cutlery quantity indicator can laterally contact the cutlery stack and can pivot to display a low-cutlery signal when the cutlery stack falls below an indicator height.

An escapement mechanism of a cutlery dispenser causes a cutlery article to fall from a vertical stack onto a slide track that guides it to a dispensing position. A slide channel and head channel of the slide track can laterally confine the cutlery article. A dampening surface can reduce cutlery bouncing and skewing. The escapement mechanism can include at least three pivots and/or a coil return spring. Dispensers can be installed in a base in any desired combination and retained therein by compatible features such as flanges and slots that prevent dispenser tipping. In embodiments, individual dispensers can be horizontally slid part-way out of the base to access side features that would otherwise be obscured by a neighboring dispenser. A cutlery quantity indicator can laterally contact the cutlery stack and can pivot to display a low-cutlery signal when the cutlery stack falls below an indicator height.

A food shield for use in a restaurant or food service institution includes a pair of partially overlapping upper and lower transparent panels, first and second locking assemblies connected to and supporting one lateral side of each of the upper and lower transparent panels, and first and second non-locking assemblies connected to and supporting the opposite lateral side of each of the upper and lower transparent panels. Each of the first locking and non-locking assemblies, which supports the upper transparent panel, is mountable to a respective vertical support post. The food shield is transformable into three different settings. In a cafeteria setting, the upper and lower transparent panels overlap each other to provide a full length barrier in front of food product being displayed. In a self-serve setting, the lower transparent panel is pivoted inwardly such that it resides behind the upper transparent panel. In a self-serve and display setting, the lower transparent panel is adjusted to a horizontal position to create a shelf situated behind the upper transparent panel.

A food shield for use in a restaurant or food service institution includes a pair of partially overlapping upper and lower transparent panels, first and second locking assemblies connected to and supporting one lateral side of each of the upper and lower transparent panels, and first and second non-locking assemblies connected to and supporting the opposite lateral side of each of the upper and lower transparent panels. Each of the first locking and non-locking assemblies, which supports the upper transparent panel, is mountable to a respective vertical support post. The food shield is transformable into three different settings. In a cafeteria setting, the upper and lower transparent panels overlap each other to provide a full length barrier in front of food product being displayed. In a self-serve setting, the lower transparent panel is pivoted inwardly such that it resides behind the upper transparent panel. In a self-serve and display setting, the lower transparent panel is adjusted to a horizontal position to create a shelf situated behind the upper transparent panel.