Drive-thru / point-of-sale automated transaction technologies and apparatus

A method for delivery of a food product, the method comprising:

• receiving from a scanner located on site of a food preparation facility an encoded unique transaction code comprising encoded information including a user identification, an order description, and a payment status;
• and
• based upon receipt of the encoded unique transaction code, remotely operate a dispenser comprising a plurality of bins configured for storage of food items to dispense one or more stored food items;
• configuring executable code to comprise a first activated function, wherein the first activated function activates a group order protocol;
• receiving an activation function response from a first user;
• receiving a list of a plurality of users which may participate in forming a food product order;
• communicating with the plurality of users, wherein the communication offers an ordering session to two or more of the plurality of users;
• receiving orders from two or more of the plurality of users;
• communicating an order status to the first user;
• placing food products in a first bin of the dispenser, wherein the food products comprise portions of the food order from the two or more of the plurality of users;
• communicating a barcode image to the first user, wherein the barcode provides the necessary information for the user to interact with the dispenser and receive the food products of the group order;
• and
• dispensing the food products to the first user conditioned upon the first user providing the barcode image to a scanner associated with a dispenser.