Leveling Up Efficiency at Existing Restaurants

With more than 2,100 restaurants, we recognize the impact that we can make by continuing to optimize energy and water conservation efforts within our existing buildings. To enhance our existing restaurants, we have:

• Tested advanced kitchen equipment in more than 30 restaurants during fiscal 2024 that aims to reduce energy consumption
• Transitioned to LED light bulbs in our kitchens, dining rooms and exterior areas — which are 10 times more efficient than incandescent bulbs and last up to 20 times longer
• Standardized our “Power On, Power Off” approach by training restaurant teams to wait to turn on equipment until absolutely necessary, helping us save energy
• Implemented new processes for washing floors, inspecting for leaks and managing water usage
• Installed Energy Management Systems in most of our restaurants that enable us to better monitor and control temperature, lighting, and refrigeration and, in doing so, to use energy more efficiently and cost-effectively
• Used water-saving equipment including low-flow faucets, pasta-cookers, and heated dipper well equipment that results in annual savings of approximately 30,000 gallons of water per well
• Expanded usage of water-efficient landscaping and drip irrigation systems
• Invested in highly efficient HVAC equipment that meets our design criteria