News

Chick-fil-A commits to eco-friendly measures

February 17, 2012

Nearly a year after opening its first restaurant built to the standards of the U.S Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program, Chick-fil-A has announced that its Montgomery Plaza location, in Fort Worth, Texas, received LEED Gold certification.

Chick-fil-A at Montgomery Plaza is the first LEED Gold-certified restaurant in Fort Worth. Based on the company's success at Montgomery Plaza, the company has committed to build four more LEED designed restaurants in 2012.

Chick-fil-A at Montgomery Plaza was built in conjunction with the company's expanding environmental stewardship initiative, which is aimed at minimizing its environmental footprint. The initiative places emphasis on four main areas of operation: cup recycling, energy and water efficiency in existing restaurants, sustainable new restaurant development, and sustainable supply chain.

The Montgomery Plaza location serves as a living laboratory as the company evaluates a variety of environmental initiatives as part of its overall growth strategy. The restaurant features:

• Water Usage– The restaurant utilizes low-flow fixtures in both the restrooms and the kitchen. An underground cistern (the size of a swimming pool) collects rainwater for landscape irrigation. As a result, Montgomery Plaza uses 40 percent less water when compared to a typical Chick-fil-A Restaurant;
• Energy Efficiency – The restaurant features skylights in the dining area and windows in the kitchen, as well as the installation of energy efficient appliances. As a result, it uses 14 percent less energy than industry standards;
• Air Quality– Materials used in construction at Montgomery Plaza were specially selected because they do not emit harmful gasses. As a result, the unit has 30 percent more fresh air than a typical building; and
• Diverting Waste – 20 percent of the building material budget for this restaurant was spent on products with recycled content. In addition, more than 50 percent of construction waste was diverted from the landfill. All cardboard and foam cups used in the everyday operations of the restaurant are being recycled.

"Chick-fil-A is dedicated to demonstrating our commitment to the environment and the communities in which we operate," said Michael Garrison, senior director of Environmental Stewardship. "We have learned so much at our living laboratory at Montgomery Plaza. It truly has enabled us to explore and refine our environmental stewardship practices to the point where we can now implement them in many of our restaurants nationwide."

Operator Bruce Slone said he has seen the benefits of the energy conservation measures put into place at the restaurant.

"We are honored to receive LEED Gold certification and feel that it is reflective of our hard work to make a difference in our community through sustainable operations," he said.

Chick-fil-A has committed to incorporating energy conservation measures and recycled materials into all new restaurant construction activities, and by the end of 2012, over half of the chain's 1,600-plus restaurants will receive energy and water retrofits.

The first of the company's four planned LEED designed restaurants in 2012 will be in California, and is projected to open in the summer.

Additionally, Chick-fil-A foam cups, which are made from polystyrene, are being recycled in 12 Chick-fil-A restaurants currently, with a goal of 100 restaurants participating by the end of 2012.

Read more about sustainability.