Abstract
An automated food preparation system includes a robotic arm and a plurality of functional stations for dispensing raw food to a bin, transferring the raw food from the bin to a fry basket, frying the raw food, and transferring the cooked food to a receiving pan. The system is programmed and operable to receive multiple orders, and compute a schedule based on applying a set of heuristic rules, and if more than one option is available for a food preparation step, to simulate the options and apply the option that would result in reducing overcooking lateness. Related methods are described.