Restaurants are some of the most energy-intensive businesses around. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, restaurants use 2.5 to 3x the energy per square foot of a typical commercial facility. Energy is also generally the 3rd or 4th largest expense for a restaurant.

And yet, most restaurant owners treat energy as a non-controllable expense, doing little if anything to try to reduce its consumption.

Efficient energy use is a business practice that improves profitability, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and conserves natural resources. Restaurants are already working on a variety of low to razor-thin margins, so every place they can introduce energy savings can be a significant win for their bottom line.

♦  In a typical restaurant, a 20% reduction in energy consumption would increase profits by as much as 10%. When you consider the most energy-efficient restaurants in America use an average of 35% less energy than typical restaurants, upgrading a restaurant with energy-efficient solutions can make the savings add up FAST.

♦  According to the National Restaurant Association, a survey revealed that 6 out of 10 consumers – 60 percent – say they are likely to choose a restaurant based on its level of environmental friendliness.