News

Indy KFC earns LEED Gold certification

September 19, 2011

A KFC restaurant in Indianapolis has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED is the USGBC's rating system for designing and constructing the world's greenest, most energy efficient and high performing buildings.

The certification was based on a number of green design and construction features. For example, the restaurant is designed to use 25 percent less energy and water than a conventional KFC restaurant. It features energy-efficient cooking equipment, low-power, long-life LED lighting, locally-sourced building materials, fixtures designed for lower water use, waste recycling (including cooking oil and plastics) and more.

"KFC's LEED certification demonstrates tremendous green building leadership," said Rick Fedrezzi, president, CEO and founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "The urgency of USGBC's mission has challenged the industry to move faster and reach further than ever before, and KFC serves as a prime example of just how much we can accomplish."

The Indianapolis project is part of KFC's global environmental stewardship efforts which include the E3 initiative: Economically responsible ways of saving Energy and being Environmentally aware.

The certification of the Indianapolis KFC follows the opening of a KFC/Taco Bell restaurant in Northampton, Mass., which was LEED Gold-certified in 2009.

The Indianapolis location is the first LEED-certified restaurant in Indiana, and the state's first LEED-certified retail establishment, according to Roger McClendon, chief sustainability officer for KFC Corp. parent company Yum! Brands.

"We're very proud of our eco-friendly Keystone Avenue restaurant and it is rewarding to receive LEED Gold certification," McClendon said. "The teams at KFC and Yum! Brands are proud to be on the forefront of helping make Indiana a little 'greener.'"

Read more about sustainability initiatives.