Burger King, Côte Restaurant Group, and Fridays have invested in Zero Carbon Services, an AI-driven, live carbon analytics platform from nonprofit Zero Carbon Forum (ZCF).
The move is ended to tackle both the growing energy and climate crises by delivering carbon and cost reductions across all outlets.
The platform enables operators to identify energy waste, control consumption, and deliver cost and carbon savings, according to ZCF. The AI-driven insights engine alerts users to usage trends to minimise wastage and carbon inefficiencies.
As part of the programme, operations teams can be assigned dedicated ‘carbon coaches’ for training and on- and off-site support and assistance with reporting on high wastage sites, identifying key causes, help with remedial actions, and benchmark performance.
The move follows new collaborative research from trade bodies UKHospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association, the British Institute of Innkeeping, and Hospitality Ulster that revealed hospitality businesses are set to be a hit with an 82% rise in energy bills after government support is significantly reduced in April.
Businesses expect a 101% increase in energy bills during the first quarter of 2023, compared to the same period last year.
Tim Doubleday, CFO at Burger King, said: “We’re already realising energy savings, but we recognise that with soaring energy prices and our commitment to reach net zero emissions, we want to quickly and continuously pinpoint any energy and carbon waste driven by operational practices. Zero Carbon Services use of their analytics platform together with the support of their Carbon Coaches means we will be able to move with agility and speed in making key changes that will positively impact our carbon footprint and energy spend.”
Julie McEwan, interim CEO for Fridays, said: “Our Ops teams are really engaged with the carbon analytics platform. Being able to interact with the data in such an easy and digestible way, and then take quick action, is helping us to drive behaviour change across the business when it comes to energy usage through our outlets which is translating into substantial savings across our estate.”
David Street, data and analytics director at Zero Carbon Services, added: “The current climate is extremely challenging, so it’s even more important that operators actively manage their energy use every day and minimise waste. Turning equipment on early, leaving it on overnight and poorly maintaining it can all cost over £100 a week per outlet in unnecessary energy use.
“Our Save While You Sleep energy saving programme utilising our AI carbon analytics platform, has achieved energy savings worth up to £12,000 and avoided 8 tonnes of CO2, per outlet, being emitted: the same as 30,000 car miles.
“With a typical outlet operating more than 50 pieces of equipment every day, identifying the source of the energy waste can be difficult. It’s therefore fantastic to see operators such as Burger King, Côte and Fridays supporting their teams with the dynamic tools they need to identify actionable insights which help control energy consumption and keep costs and carbon down.”
