System and method providing backup local ordering for establishment using a remote ordering system

An order taking system for a plurality of establishments, each one of said plurality of establishments having an order placing facility associated with said one of said plurality of establishments enabling a customer to place an order for an item from said one of said plurality of establishments, comprising:

• a plurality of order placing equipments, each of said plurality of order placing equipments associated with said one of said plurality of establishments being capable of receiving an order for said item from said customer;
• a plurality of local order taking facilities, each of said plurality of local order taking facilities being associated with and located within said one of said plurality of establishments;
• a first communication link, associated with each of said plurality of establishments, adapted to communicate between said order placing equipment and a remote order taking facility;
• and
• a second communication link, associated with each of said plurality of establishments, between said order placing equipment and said local order taking facility;
• said order taking system being operable, individually with respect to each of said plurality of establishments, in a first mode operatively coupled via said first communication link to said remote order taking facility and in a second mode operatively coupled via said second communication link to said local order taking facility.

A method of taking orders for an establishment having an order placing facility associated with said establishment enabling a customer to place an order for an item from said establishment, adapted to interface with a remote order taking facility located remotely from said establishment, having a local order taking facility located within said establishment, having first mode using a first communication link between said order placing equipment and said remote order taking facility and having a second mode using a second communication link between said order placing equipment and said local order taking facility, comprising the steps of:

• using said first communication link to communicate said order to said remote order taking facility;
• using said third communication link to communicate said order to said establishment;
• and
• switching from said first mode to said second mode to communicate said order from another customer at said order placing facility to said establishment directly without utilizing said remote order taking facility.

An order taking system for an establishment having an order placing facility associated with said establishment enabling a customer to place an order for an item from said establishment, comprising:

• order placing equipment located near said order placing facility being capable of receiving an order for said item from said customer;
• and
• a first communication link adapted to communicate between said order placing equipment and a remote order taking facility;
• said order taking system providing a first signal to said remote order taking facility in response to said customer being present at said order placing facility.

A method of taking orders for an establishment having an order placing facility associated with said establishment enabling a customer to place an order for an item from said establishment, adapted to interface with a remote order taking facility located remotely from said establishment, having a local order taking facility located within said establishment, using a first communication link between said order placing equipment and said remote order taking facility, comprising the steps of:

• using said first communication link to communicate said order to said remote order taking facility;
• using said third communication link to communicate said order to said establishment;
• and
• providing a first signal to said remote order taking facility in response to said customer being present at said order placing facility.

An order taking system for an establishment having an order placing facility associated with said establishment enabling a customer to place an order for an item from said establishment, comprising:

• order placing equipment located near said order placing facility being capable of receiving an order for said item from said customer;
• a first communication link adapted to communicate between said order placing equipment of said order placing facility and a remote order taking facility;
• and
• a second communication link allowing a person in said establishment to monitor communication occurring on said first communication link.

A method of taking orders for an establishment having an order placing facility associated with said establishment enabling a customer to place an order for an item from said establishment, adapted to interface with a remote order taking facility located remotely from said establishment, having a local order taking facility located within said establishment, using a first communication link between said order placing equipment and said remote order taking facility, comprising the steps of:

• using said first communication link to communicate said order to said remote order taking facility;
• using said third communication link to communicate said order to said establishment;
• and
• allowing a person in said establishment to monitor communication occurring on said first communication link.

An order taking system for an establishment having an order placing facility associated with said establishment enabling a customer to place an order for an item from said establishment, comprising:

• order placing equipment located near said order placing facility being capable of receiving an order for said item from said customer;
• a first communication link adapted to communicate between said order placing equipment and a remote order taking facility;
• and
• a second communication link between said remote order taking facility and said establishment, said second communication link being capable of communicating said order from said remote order taking facility to said establishment;
• wherein said second communication link allows said remote order taking facility to contact said establishment in order to follow up on said order.

A method of taking orders for an establishment having an order placing facility associated with said establishment enabling a customer at said order placing facility to place an order for an item from said establishment, adapted to interface with a remote order taking facility located remotely from said establishment, having a local order taking facility located within said establishment, using a first communication link between said order placing equipment and said remote order taking facility, comprising the steps of:

• using said first communication link to communicate said order to said remote order taking facility;
• using said third communication link to communicate said order to said establishment;
• and
• allowing said remote order taking facility to contact said establishment in order to follow up on said order.