Calling a restaurant chain that pushes 3/4 pound Thickburgers and other meatmongous offerings ‘eco-friendly’ may be stretching things a bit. But CKE Restaurants, the parent company to Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s quick service chains, has announced the opening of its flagship ‘green’ restaurant in Carpinteria, Calif.
The Carl’s Jr. location features Energy Star rated equipment, solar reflective roofing panels, a rainwater reuse system, a smart irrigation system for landscaping, and LED lighting for the parking lot. The company also put in a bike rack, and a shower for employees who ride their bikes to work.
The unit’s sustainability, conservation and energy efficiency will be evaluated for possible companywide rollout. CKE CEO Andrew Puzder said in a statement, ‘The launch of our first green Carl’s Jr. restaurant, while not cost neutral, will help us view our eco-friendly options in action.’
CKE has a ‘green team’ pursuing other eco-minded initiatives including recycling used cooking oil, using paperless communications and post-consumer fibers in packaging. The company hopes to introduce 100% recycled carryout bags by year’s end in all units.
For more insights and innovations check out neemee.com, the place to go for the latest observations in the World Thought Bank – events, ideas, trends and more. Add your own thoughts about anything in life – entertainment, design, technology, well-being and, yes, food. And, take a look at a few of our other Hot & Cool Trends.
Have you seen an innovative product that will make our food lives more fun in the future? Let us know at Editor.
