Automated dispensing and assembly process for a food item

A system for directing the assembly of a food or beverage item ordered by a consumer, the food or beverage item including a plurality of components, comprising:

• a controller configured to identify at least one component for the food or beverage item;
• and
• at least one flowable food product dispenser for the at least one component and operable to dispense the at least one component,
• wherein the controller is configured to communicate with the food product dispenser to at least one of activate the at least one flowable food product dispenser or to dispense the at least one component from the dispenser.

A method of dispensing a food or beverage item ordered by a customer, the method comprising steps of:

• receiving details of the food item at a controller;
• determining components required for the food or beverage item in the controller;
• communicating, using the controller, with one or more flowable food product dispensers operable to dispense one or more flowable food product corresponding to the food item;
• monitoring, using the controller, dispensing of each of the components to the food or beverage item;
• and
• determining, using the controller, that despising of the food or beverage product corresponds to the that ordered by the customer, and communicating to the one or more flowable food product dispensers to discontinue dispensing.

A system for directing the assembly of a food or beverage item ordered by a consumer, the food item including a plurality of components, comprising:

• a starting point device including a controller;
• and
• a plurality of flowable food product dispensers,
• wherein the controller is configured to:
• receive details of the food or beverage item;
• determine the components required for the food or beverage item;
• communicate to the plurality of flowable food product dispensers whether dispensing a component is required for the food or beverage item;
• indicating to a user that a given one of the plurality of flowable food product dispensers has a component is required for the food or beverage item;
• and
• indicate completion of the food or beverage item once all of the components required for the food or beverage item have been dispensed from the plurality of flowable food product dispensers.