A Wave of Savings for Wendy’s Franchisee Carlisle, LLC

Carlisle, LLC, a Wendy’s franchisee and Better Buildings Challenge partner, has achieved its water reduction goal through a variety of efficiency measures and monitoring. Carlisle joined the Better Buildings Challenge in 2016 with a commitment to 20% reduction in energy intensity by 2026. To expand its ongoing commitment to efficiency, Carlisle joined the Water Savings Network in 2019 and committed to a 20% reduction in water use by 2029. Carlisle has now surpassed its water efficiency goal by achieving a 28% improvement in water use intensity across its building portfolio, seven years early.

The Wendy’s Company has long prioritized efficiency and sustainability, and it was the first company to have its franchisees join the Better Buildings Challenge. In total, more than 400 Wendy’s company-operated restaurants along with its Showcase Project, the Restaurant Support Center in Dublin, Ohio, have reached water savings goals, making the brand a leader in food service water efficiency. Carlisle is the second Wendy’s franchisee to achieve its water reduction goal, and one of 19 Wendy’s franchisees stepping up to the Better Buildings Challenge.

Carlisle took many steps to achieve its water reduction goal across its building portfolio of 400,000 square feet comprised of more than 150 restaurants spanning seven states. The franchisee added irrigation water taps to accurately monitor domestic usage and avoid unnecessary irrigation sewer fees. Carlisle also replaced water-cooled ice machines with remote condenser ice machines. Along with valuable upgrades and additions, Carlisle increased monitoring of their water usage bills across all locations, focused on leak detection at high water usage locations, and coordinated with water departments for sewer credit requests.

By implementing water-efficient technologies and practices, Carlisle LLC has served as an example of water efficiency for other food service companies and sectors with commercial kitchen equipment and operations.

Learn more about Carlisle, LLC and explore solutions to advance water efficiency with the Better Buildings Water Savings Network.