Systems and methods for providing remote ordering capabilities

摘要

The invention relates to methods and systems for receiving, processing and fulfilling remotely placed orders. In one aspect, requests to place an order are received from a remote location, and based on a customer identifier included in the request, customer preference data is retrieved. An electronic selection menu based on customer preference data is transmitted to the customer, the order is received and prepared. The customer's arrival is automatically detected, and the completed order is provided to the customer.

主权项

1. A method for fulfilling orders at a restaurant, the method comprising:
maintaining a database of customer data associated with customers of the restaurant, the customer data comprising for each customer a customer identifier, general customer preferences, previously ordered items and a payment preference; receiving a request via a telephone from the customer to place an order at the restaurant, the customer being remote from the restaurant when the request is received; utilizing caller-ID to determine a telephone number from which the customer is calling; retrieving the customer data associated with the customer based on the telephone number; in response to retrieving the retrieved customer data, transmitting an electronic menu to the customer, the electronic menu comprising items selected from the group consisting of: the customer preference data, the time of day and other customer preference data associated with people having an order history similar to that of the customer; receiving a menu selection from the customer in response to transmitting the electronic menu, the order being based on the menu selection; automatically detecting an arrival of the customer at the restaurant; providing a prepared order to the customer upon the arrival of the customer at the restaurant; and billing the customer based on the payment preference, wherein the payment preference is selected from the group consisting of: billing on a periodic basis for all orders received during the period, billing against an account balance with set replenishment levels and limits, and billing with notice to the customer at selected thresholds.