Casual Dining Group (CDG), the operator of the Bella Italia, Cafe Rouge, Las Iguanas and La Tasca restaurant businesses, has reduced annual energy use by 17% since 2012.
This substantial reduction, which has been delivered by identifying and targeting energy waste across its restaurant portfolio using iC analytics from Carbon Statement, means the group is now one of the most efficient operators in the sector – as measured by the Hospitality Sector Carbon Reduction Forum (HSCRF) energy benchmark.
The HSCRF has hailed the result, especially given the complexities of delivering such savings in the hospitality sector. Despite energy usage representing one of highest controllable costs, it is an issue that the restaurant sector as a whole has historically wrestled with, given the challenges involved in identifying energy waste across many different sites, compounded by variable trading patterns and weather effects.
Whilst many companies in the sector use analytics to control labour and stock, few operators are embracing this technology to control energy use.
Following a successful pilot in 2011, CDG rolled out iC Analytics across its restaurant business and is now achieving the piloted results, across the group.
The iC analytics tool uses hospitality-specific metrics to identify where energy waste is occurring and provides restaurant teams with actionable information to reduce energy waste through engaging reports. An ongoing co-ordinated operational programme also includes regular communication, training, auditing and team incentives to maintain the focus.
Tim Doubleday, CDG’s Chief Financial Officer, said, “We’re delighted with these results. Working with Carbon Statement has enabled us to eliminate unnecessary energy use across the group. As well as minimising our environmental impact, this work clearly has a significant commercial impact, which is very meaningful across a national business comprising almost 300 restaurants.
“As a result of engaging our restaurant teams through iC analytics, energy management processes and awareness are now part of our everyday business operations. We now have much better control of a major cost line and engaged teams that know how to optimise their energy use.”