# Outdoor Food Lockers The OrderHQ Exterior Smart Food Locker Frees Up Valuable Interior Space By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2024-02-22 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/exterior-smart-food-locker References: [morningstar](https://www.morningstar.com/news/pr-newswire/20240222cl43269/new-spin-on-food-lockers-solves-order-pickup-challenges-recognized-in-the-20th-anniversary-of-kitchen-innovations-awards) & [apexorderpickup](http://apexorderpickup.com)  The OrderHQ [Exterior Smart Food Locker](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orderhq-exterior-smart-food-locker) by Apex Order Pickup [Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reachin-storage-solution) helps to free up valuable interior space by moving takeout and delivery order pickup outside, all the while automating the process. Employees can place completed orders within the lockers from within the kitchen, and customers and delivery drivers can securely pick up their orders without having to enter the establishment. With outdoor settings in mind, Apex created this foodservice innovation to include features like weatherproofing and a patent-pending circulation system for the maintenance of an ambient temperature. Apex Order Pickup Solutions' OrderHQ Exterior Smart Food Locker Solution is a featured recipient of the 2024 Kitchen Innovations Awards from the [National Restaurant Association](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/self-service-commerce). This award recognizes revolutionary foodservice tech that not only streamlines operations but also enhances customer service. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.5/10 - Popularity: 66% | Activity: 78% | Freshness: 21% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [New Ventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/newventures) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Exterior Food Pick-up:** Moving order pickup outside frees up valuable interior space and automates the process. - **Weatherproof Food Locker:** Incorporating weatherproofing and a patent-pending circulation system ensures maintenance of an ambient temperature for outdoor food storage. - **Kitchen Innovation Awards:** Recognition through industry awards highlights revolutionary tech that streamlines operations and enhances customer service in the foodservice sector. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Restaurant Technology:** Innovations like exterior food pick-up lockers present opportunities for disruptive solutions in streamlining operations and improving customer experience within the restaurant industry. - **Outdoor Storage Solutions:** The demand for weatherproof food lockers with advanced temperature maintenance technology opens up disruptive innovation opportunities in the outdoor storage solutions market. - **Foodservice Awards Recognition:** Industry recognition through prestigious awards sparks innovation in developing technologies that enhance customer service and operational efficiency in the foodservice sector. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Smart Food Lockers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orderhq-exterior-smart-food-locker.md) - [Order-Fulfilling Smart Lockers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apex-order-pickup-solutions.md) - [Self-Serve Automated Food Lockers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-lockers-1.md) - [Temperature-Controlled Food Lockers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-locker.md) - [Solar-Powered Smart Parcel Lockers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quadient-x-series-lockers.md) - [Robotic Locker-Style Deliveries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ottobot-locker.md) - [Robot-Enabled Locker Deliveries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ottobot-lockers.md) - [Connected Grocer Order Fridges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kroger-smart-fridges.md) - [Workplace Smart Fridges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fraiche.md)