Wendy’s #2142 – Maxtown Road
Solution Overview
In 2013, Wendy’s began to look into opportunities to save energy and reduce operation costs at the Maxtown Road restaurant in Westerville, Ohio (site #2142). Constructed in 1996, the major upgrade project not only improved the 20-year old property’s appearance, but also included lighting upgrades and efficient food service equipment.
Background
In 2013, Wendy’s began to look into opportunities to save energy and reduce operation costs at the Maxtown Road restaurant in Westerville, Ohio (site #2142). Constructed in 1996, the major upgrade project not only improved the 20 year-old property’s appearance, but also included lighting upgrades and efficient food service equipment. The remodeling project helped Wendy’s achieve its energy savings goals and gives the restaurant a fresh and vibrant street presence.
The Wendy’s Company is committed to managing and reducing energy costs and usage at company restaurants and assisting franchisees do so, as well. Energy is a controllable expense providing a competitive advantage which benefits the Company's bottom line. Furthermore, energy reductions are part of Wendy’s ongoing journey as a responsible corporate citizen.
Solutions
Wendy’s cross functional energy team identified and compared different energy upgrades, such as LED lighting and walk-in cooler and freezer motor upgrades. To prioritize upgrades, Wendy’s evaluated the Return on Investment for each measure and estimated the associated energy savings, utility incentives, and maintenance savings. With high electricity use and attractive utility incentives for exterior lighting from AEP Ohio, the local utility serving Central Ohio, Wendy’s chose to prioritize interior and exterior lighting LED upgrades.
As part of the process, Wendy’s developed a detailed measurement plan to track and record energy savings. Individual energy circuit monitoring devices were used to document the energy savings before and after the energy upgrades. This helped confirm the energy savings as a baseline for upgrading additional restaurants.
Exterior lighting vendors were engaged to survey parking lot lighting, determine the projected light level, and recommend the number of fixtures needed to meet Wendy’s lighting standards and those of the local permitting authority. This allowed Wendy’s to eliminate unnecessary fixtures and reduce the energy load for exterior lighting by 80%. Wendy’s worked with a lighting contractor to capture the before and after amp readings during the exterior parking lot conversions. Replacing the existing walk-in cooler and freezer with a new unit provided more efficient door seals, motors, and performance. Electronically commutated (EC) motors in the new unit use approximately 80% less energy while generating less heat. Wendy’s also installed a more efficient fryer that requires less oil while saving electricity.
Energy efficiency measures include:
- Replacing old fluorescent interior down lights with new LED lights, saving nearly 5,000 kWh per year
- Upgrading 2x4 troffers in the kitchen and dining room with more than 90 LED tubes, saving nearly 10,000 kWh per year
- Converting parking lot lighting fixtures to LED, saving over 17,000 kWh per year
- Installing an ENERGY STAR® certified high efficiency fryer
- Replacing the walk-in cooler and freezer
Other Benefits
Wendy's is continuing its brand transformation journey that serves to re-energize every touch point with consumers. From bold restaurant design to deliciously different food that consumers crave, to improved customer service, this exciting evolution of the brand reinforces Wendy’s position as A Cut Above.
Wendy’s Restaurant #2142 in Westerville, Ohio is an example of this continued commitment to transforming not just consumer touchpoints but also how Wendy’s approaches being a good steward of the environment. The learnings captured at this restaurant are helping to propel this commitment forward. For example, converting exterior lighting to energy efficient LED parking lights saves energy, improves light quality and often qualifies for substantial utility company energy incentives. Changing out the incandescent lamps or fluorescent lamps to LED lighting in the walk-in cooler and freezer saves energy and significantly improves the lighting quality. These updates save energy while improving the work environment for crew members.
Image Gallery
Restaurant interior contains 100% LED lighting – from the interior fixtures to the hood lights
Saving more than $2,500 per year in energy and maintenance by installing LED exterior lighting
