2 min read
Back in 2011, the Obama Administration set up the Better Buildings Challenge as part of an effort to cut energy waste in American restaurants and buildings and just recently, the Wendy’s Company, and its franchisee, Wendco Group, was recognized for its leadership in energy efficiency.
Even though Wendy’s just joined the Better Buildings Challenge in January 2016, they’ve already committed to achieving 20 percent energy savings over the next ten years, started their own energy savings program called the Wendy’s Energy Challenge (based on the Better Buildings Challenge, it encourages Wendy’s franchisees to be good stewards of energy usage), and is one of the first restaurant companies to have included franchisees into the Challenge. Since then, five other franchisees have joined.
“The leadership demonstrated by this corporation and its franchisee is tremendous,” said Maria T. Vargas, U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Challenge director. “Not only is The Wendy’s Company focused on improving corporate-level energy efficiency, it is doing so in a way that reaches thousands more restaurants. This approach with the Wendco Group is exemplary of a commitment to continuous improvement, a dedication to greater savings, and proof that partnerships extend energy savings.”
The Wendy’s Company jumpstarted their progress in the Better Buildings Challenge by using a pilot and a control location (which were both being rebuilt at the same time) to use and validate the efficiency of the program. By previously identifying heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) as the highest energy-consuming systems in Wendy’s restaurants, the Wendco Group decided to outfit the pilot with new HVAC equipment, while the other restaurant stuck to the older HVAC design.
The results were astounding: The more efficient system led to a 14 percent decrease in energy consumption, more than 50 percent of energy savings per sales transaction, and nearly $8,000 in annual savings, compared to the control restaurant.
Abigail Pringle, chief development officer for The Wendy’s Company, says of the achievement, “We’re proud to be among the first restaurant companies to join the Challenge. We see environmental stewardship in restaurant development as a big responsibility, and it connects to our values. We believe stewardship is a journey, a long-term commitment. It’s not something we are simply ‘checking off the list,’ rather we’re driving purposeful change with bold goals that are brought to life through our culture and our business practices of how we plan, design, engineer, construct, and operate our restaurants.”
Do you want to get involved with the energy department's Better Buildings Challenge and want to make your home or business more sustainable? Call or contact us today at 407.331.9077! As residential and commercial solar professionals, we can’t wait to figure out the best cost-effective energy solution for you.
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