Technology

Apex teams with Welbilt on automated pickup foodservice solutions

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September 1, 2021

Apex Order Pickup Solutions, a provider of self-serve automated pickup solutions for foodservice, retail and B2B e-commerce, and Welbilt Inc., a provider of commercial foodservice equipment, have launched OrderHQ, a smart locker series that integrates with existing point-of-sale and other back-of-house management systems to allow restaurants to offer order pickup experiences, according to a press release.

The third generation of smart lockers designed by Apex, the OrderHQ Series will be manufactured by Welbilt's Merco brand in the U.S. and sold under both the Apex and Merco brands.

The OrderHQ Series automates the last inch of the digital journey, providing customers and delivery service providers with a way to pick up their order and be on their way. Order-ready notifications are sent at the optimal time to minimize wait time and include a unique pickup code to authenticate at the locker. The compartments also feature indicator lights to help guide customers to find their order for pickup. The entire pickup process lasts less than 10 seconds.

Powered by ApexIQ software, the OrderHQ locker solution provides restaurant operators data insights to enhance the customer experience and improve efficiency for off-premises orders. Using sensing technology combined with integration to front and back of house systems, operators will know the time it took to prepare and load the order, as well as the dwell time of the order in the pickup locker.

The series offers both flow-thru and front-load options. The lockers come in floor and countertop models to optimize usage within a variety of restaurant footprints. The system is also scalable by adding lockers as needed.