A display unit 1 for storing and displaying heated goods comprises walls 2, 4, 6, 8, shelves 10, 12, 14, 16, an air duct 18, a fan 20, 22, and an air heater 24. The walls delimit a main chamber 26 including a first open front side 28 and a second open front side 30 opposite of the first open front side. The shelves each comprise an upper placing side 32, and define an individual storage spaces 34, 36, 38, 40. The air duct 18 extends from an inlet 42, 44 to multiple outlets 46 which are in communication with the storage spaces. The display unit further comprises a transparent wall 48, 50, which is positioned in the main chamber 26 between the first open front side and the second open front side, and divides the main chamber in a first chamber 52 and a second chamber 54.

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.

A method and system of managing the acquisition of food in a commercial environment. An example method includes receiving, from a first scale, a container weight of a container when food is removed from the container. The method also includes determining a removed weight of the food from the container based on the container weight relative to an initial container weight, receiving, from a second scale, a plate weight of a plate when the food is added to the plate. The method also includes determining an added weight of the food to the plate based on the plate weight relative to an initial plate weight, determining whether the removed weight and the added weight match, and responsive to determining that the removed weight and the added weight match, providing information related to the food to be presented on a user interface at the food station.

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a touchless automatic food locker apparatus, system, and method providing automated self-serve food lockers. Embodiments include arrays of modular food lockers having a public access door and a kitchen access door opposed to each other, assembled as a wall between the public space and the kitchen. Each food locker kitchen access door is adapted to receive a food item disposed into the locker. Heating and cooling elements maintain the appropriate food item temperature in the locker. Sensors, lighting, and UV lighting coupled to the locker detects a state of the item in the locker. The locker further includes credentialed access by the customer to the food locker from the public access door by an assembly coupled to the food locker utilizing mobile communication and intelligent analysis to reduce waiting time, keep food products fresh, and assure quality product delivery.

Embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a touchless automatic food locker apparatus, system, and method providing automated self-serve food lockers. Embodiments include arrays of modular food lockers having a public access door and a kitchen access door opposed to each other, assembled as a wall between the public space and the kitchen. Each food locker kitchen access door is adapted to receive a food item disposed into the locker. Heating and cooling elements maintain the appropriate food item temperature in the locker. Sensors, lighting, and UV lighting coupled to the locker detects a state of the item in the locker. The locker further includes credentialed access by the customer to the food locker from the public access door by an assembly coupled to the food locker utilizing mobile communication and intelligent analysis to reduce waiting time, keep food products fresh, and assure quality product delivery.

Buffet serving apparatus including box-like structure having slots. The box-like structure receives a container holding a food product. The buffet serving apparatus includes a serving unit having an axle. The axle presents a food holder. The slots receive the axle. The axle moves/slides along the slots. The axle rotates in one direction to pick up food product from the container using the food holder and rotates in opposite direction to dispense the food product from the food holder. The serving unit includes a wheel/handle that connects to the axle. The wheel/handle helps move and rotate the axle to pick up and dispense the food product. The serving unit includes a motor configured to move and rotate the axle to pick up and dispense the food product. The buffet serving apparatus provides required hygiene and prevents contamination of food products and/or food holder, as may occur with the COVID-19 virus.

Buffet serving apparatus including box-like structure having slots. The box-like structure receives a container holding a food product. The buffet serving apparatus includes a serving unit having an axle. The axle presents a food holder. The slots receive the axle. The axle moves/slides along the slots. The axle rotates in one direction to pick up food product from the container using the food holder and rotates in opposite direction to dispense the food product from the food holder. The serving unit includes a wheel/handle that connects to the axle. The wheel/handle helps move and rotate the axle to pick up and dispense the food product. The serving unit includes a motor configured to move and rotate the axle to pick up and dispense the food product. The buffet serving apparatus provides required hygiene and prevents contamination of food products and/or food holder, as may occur with the COVID-19 virus.

A drive thru order facilitation system includes a network, having a server; a computing device; and a database; a sensor to scan an identifying feature of a vehicle; an order history platform accessible from the computing device, the order history platform having a new customer creation portal; and an existing customer profile development portal; the order history platform provides access to customer profiles; and the order history platform collects data relating to order history; the sensor is to communicate with the computing device; and the computing device is to correlate the identifying feature of the vehicle with one of the customer profiles.

A modular heated display system with at least one heated display unit and at least one frame extension. The heated display unit will typically include a heating element supported by a frame. When the heated display unit is set upon a supporting surface, the heating element is raised some distance above the supporting surface by the frame. One or more frame extensions may be removably coupled to the frame opposite the heating element. Any coupled frame extension serves to elevate the heating element to a different height above the supporting surface. In some implementations, the heated display unit will include a light source within the frame, generally position underneath the heating element. Control electronics may be provided to cause the light source to project light downward, onto the supporting surface below the frame when the heating element is active or at an elevated temperature.