System and method for improved queuing, service-time, and capacity in drive-through operations

Abstract

A system and method of queuing orders locates data-entry modules relative to a pickup location such that a customer who places an order after a customer who placed an earlier order can be signaled to approach a pickup location before the first customer if the second customer's order is ready before the first customer's order. The system can signal a customer to wait in a predetermined location until the order is ready or can signal the customer to approach the pickup location.

1 . A drive-through operation system, comprising: 
 a data-receiving module;    a data-entry module capable of transmitting data indicative of an order for requested items by a customer to the data-receiving module; and    a signaling device coupled to the data-receiving module to indicate to the customer when to approach a pickup location to pick up the requested items.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signaling device is a light.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signaling device is visual.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signaling device is capable of signaling the customer to wait in a predetermined location until a second signal is sent instructing the customer to approach the pickup location.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a payment acceptance device in communication with the data-receiving module for accepting payment for items ordered through the data-receiving module.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the payment acceptance device and the pick-up location are placed in disparate locations.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the payment acceptance device is proximate to the data-entry module.  
   
   
       8 . A method for receiving orders in a drive-through operation, the method comprising the steps of: 
 receiving an order for at least one item from a customer at a data-entry module;    transmitting the order for at least one item as data from the data-entry module to a data-receiving module;    communicating from the data-receiving module to a signaling device that the at least one item is ready for pick-up; and    signaling the customer, using the signaling device, to approach a pickup location to pick up the at least one item.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the signaling device is a light.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the signaling device is visual.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising signaling the customer, using the signaling device, to wait in a predetermined location until a second signal is sent instructing the customer to approach the pickup location.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising receiving payment for the at least one item at a payment acceptance device.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of signaling the customer to approach a pickup location may only be performed after the step of receiving payment for the at least one item.