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Frisch's Big Boy launches plan to save money, water, environment

The company plans to save 7.8 million gallons of water annually due to two ConserveWell units in each store.

April 21, 2016

Frisch's Big Boy restaurants in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana are beginning a water conservation initiative that promises to save nearly 8 million gallons of water a year as it eliminates the need for running water in restaurant operations.

"Our operations staff is constantly looking for ways to make our restaurants run more efficiently, and along with that we've made it a priority to update our equipment and materials to be more environmentally friendly," Frisch's CEO Jason Vaughn said in a company press release. "When you look at the benefits of what we're doing with these new initiatives, you can see the value in being a good partner to the people we serve and the earth we live on."

The company will save 7.8 million gallons of water annually due to the use of two ConserveWell units in each store, according to the release. The units replace the traditional dipper wells that had canisters with counter-mounted faucets. Those devices continuously trickled hot water to keep utensils clean. ConserveWells eliminate that need by keeping water temperatures above 140 degrees to prevent bacteria growth. Unit times alert employees when water should be changed, said Tim Reilley, director of facilities and construction at Frisch's Big Boy Restaurants.

"The new ConserveWell units make sense on two levels: They save money on water and they will reduce maintenance costs because we won't have to deal with clogged drains like we did with the old system," he said.

Other environmentally conscious initiatives at the chain, include a systemwide move away from Styrofoam use, beginning with the use of new paper wraps. That move alone will eliminate 215,000 pounds of Styrofoam annually, according to the release.

The company recently rechanneled more than 26,000 pounds of used carpet into recycling operations, and the commissary has switched from cardboard pallets to reusable plastic pallets. Hand dryers are also being tested in restrooms for an expected roll-out in the near future.

Founded in 1939, Frisch's Big Boy restaurants operates 95 units in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. Private equity firm, NRD Capital, acquired the company in August 2015.