Through ‘ResourceFULL’ initiatives, Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (ARG) has increased their energy efficiency with the Efficiency Matters program. The quick-service chain has been making headlines having achieved a 7.6 per cent reduction in Energy Use Intensity since following through with their energy initiatives set last year.
Known for delicious sandwiches and curly fries of the fast-food variety, Arby’s is becoming known for their energy-efficient efforts.
In a press release, they announced their energy savings as part of the company’s efforts to lessen their environmental impact. With nearly 3,400 Arby’s restaurants worldwide, the sustainability and energy initiatives were set last year and because they take their corporate responsibility seriously, they’ve followed through.
Getting energy-efficient has resulted in the 7.6 per cent reduction in Energy Use Intensity — a unit of measurement for analyzing a building’s energy use.
Let’s talk about Arby’s eight key energy initiatives from 2013-2014
Last year, we mentioned ARG getting energy-efficient by installing eMonitor energy, water and asset management platforms by Powerhouse Dynamics. Put into context with the eight key energy initiatives, their green efforts are clear.
They key energy initiatives that were focused on last year are as follows, according to the press release:
- Implemented a new on/off schedule
- Adjusted hot water heater controls
- Installed aerators on hand sinks
- Installed low-flow spray valves in sanitizing sinks
- Converted evaporators of walk-in boxes (WIBs) to electronically commutated motors
- Installed strip curtains in the same WIBs
- Converted outdoor HID lights to LED lights
- Introduced a new asset management system; Powerhouse Dynamic’s SiteSage (formerly eMonitor)
From 2011-2013, ARG managed to also score energy and resource savings — which has helped with lessening their environmental impact. Apparently, ARG managed to save 90,247,788 kilowatt hours (kWh) in electricity in those two years (also meaning 62,230 MTCO2e (metric tons of carbon dioxide) was also saved.
But that’s not all, Arby’s is setting more targets for 2015
Teaming up with Ecova and Powerhouse Dynamics, this quick-serve company is still propelling forward as they continue down the energy-efficient road. ARG is aiming to achieve an Energy Use intensity reduction of 15 per cent by 2015.
By considering energy efficiency in all of their operations and decision-making processes, procuring equipment in the most energy-efficient and cost-effective manner and ensuring responsibility on all levels in the organization, Arby’s action plan to achieve their seemingly attainable goal sounds solid.
“ARG is committed to the reduction of energy usage within our restaurants,” George Condos, ARG President and Chief Operating Officer said in a press release, “As a Brand, we strive to continuously improve our performance and work towards energy-efficient best practices where cost-effective. Managing energy as a controllable expense gives Arby’s a competitive advantage, improves the bottom line and helps us to be a responsible corporate citizen. In short, efficiency matters.”
For businesses looking to get energy-efficient, we have incentives.
Image credit: jschumacher
