A sustainable restaurant investment is as much about making more money and the economic reason to do something is compelling when one applies those savings to their hospitality and foodservice business. Although the residual benefits that it plays in saving the environment and building more customer loyalty are usually the most obvious reasons to make the investment, the financial ROI is clearly another. Take a closer look at the energy usage of any restaurant and one will find a myriad of cost savings. Did you know? Gas, electric and water costs of a typical food and beverage operation can usually run 3% to 4% of revenues. A 200 seat restaurant and bar serving lunch and dinner in an urban location, can easily generate $2,000,000 to -$5,000,000 in sales annually. On the low side, that is approximately $60,000 to $150,000 in utilities expense each year. Making a sustainable restaurant investment can easily save 10% to 15% and more of that specific cost. In five years, the savings can amount to over $30,000 to $110,000! Waste is another area to earn a return from a sustainable restaurant investment as talked about in this Opportunity Green article – “Like most industries in the United States, wasteful systems and behaviors are both correctable and adaptable. Not only can restaurants redirect waste from the landfill to local farms and agriculture, a PROFIT can also be made here.” However and in order to know how the green restaurant cost impact affects your foodservice business, several keys steps must be taken. This can be done by an energy efficient restaurant advisor or manager trained in sustainable practices: 1. Audit and analyze; 2. Instruct and Implement; 3. Monitor and Measure. Is your restaurant in the process of making a sustainable restaurant investment? What aspects do you see will contribute most to the triple bottom line or people, planet and profit? Please share your thoughts with our readers.
