Carl's Jr. Opens Green Restaurant, Aims to Make It a Company Prototype

Published February 11, 2009

The CEO for CKE Restaurants Inc. cut the ribbon on his firm's new eco-friendly Carl's Jr. this week with a goal of making it the flagship for the company's green building efforts.

The restaurant is just two miles from the headquarters of CHK, which operates the Carl's Jr. and Hardee Restaurant chains.

If the new shop lives up to its expectations for energy efficiency, water conservation and other environmental performance areas, it will become the model for projects to build or retrofit restaurants in both chains, according to CEO Andrew F. Puzder.

Green features of the new restaurant include:
• Energy Star-rated equipment.
• Solar reflective roofing material, which contributes to the reduced need for energy to heat and cool the building.
• Rainwater reuse and smart irrigation systems.
• An energy management system that electronically controls lighting and zone temperatures in the building,which was designed without light switches.
• LED parking lot lights.
• The installation of a catalyst to convert charbroiler particulate into carbon dioxide and water, reducing smoke, odors and emissions.

May I Suggest Even Greater Savings!

Anonymous, February 17, 2009 - 17:50

Energy Star rating is a good thing for architects and businesses as a guide when designing new construction but there is technology in place to enhance the efficiency of those rated HVAC roof top units. The “Thermal Buster” is designed to Retro-Fit any roof top HVAC, old or new, and will cut your energy consumption by 30% - 60% depending on your geographic location. The Heating and Air Conditioning is one of the most costly expenses of any business, plus the investment return is recovered in most cases less than 3 years and if is old and out of warranty, don’t replace it – RETRO- FIT it! Even Better! Do the math. Questions?
Robert Vestal
Greenest.hvac@gmail.com

Here We Go Again!!!!

Anonymous, February 17, 2009 - 14:18

PEOPLE!
This is their business - if you don't like it - Don't eat there! This industry creates jobs for Americans and apparently has a menu that’s works for them. Companies listen to there customers to remain successful. If you want them to add or modify there business plan then make your suggestions directly. Not all businesses are equal, but they have customers who want what they serve. I too applaud there corporate CEO’s making changes to go Green for the environment; spending extra monies in design: every little bit helps.
Bobby
Islandsurferboy@gmail.com

Raising a global stink

Anonymous, February 17, 2009 - 13:25

Here are a few good solutions:
http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2008/jul/31/business/chi-cow-gas-31-j...

We'll yes...beef is an environmental issue, even if delicous...

Anonymous, February 17, 2009 - 10:11

Pound for pound, beef requires more resource consumption and produces more greenhouse gases and pollution than essentially any other source of protein for humans (not to mention the animal rights issues here).

Then, there are are impacts of beef on human. Beef in moderation is one thing (although arguments are quite strong that obesity would be drastically reduced in the U.S. if Americans were largely vegetarian). But making red meat a dominant portion of the diet is simply unhealthy. Which results in epidemic health problems that our citizens pay for--through reduced quality of life and increased health care expenses (that we all pay through taxes and increased premiums).

So, while I applaud this "template" for a greener fast food building, I would be even more impressed if the company improved it's actual product: natural or organic meats, perhaps 25% of entrees being vegetarian, etc. The unveiling of a prototype green building would be the perfect time to unveil a green menu--one that would have positive environmental impacts as well as positive public health impacts, while still being delicious!

Leslie Baer
Mountain Muse Communications

WIll they be using recyclable packaging?

Anonymous, February 13, 2009 - 12:07

I will be impressed if the answer is yes.

Beef?

Anonymous, February 12, 2009 - 08:58

"What about all the BEEF they serve?!"

Delicious! The caps make it scream flavor!

Big whoop

Anonymous, February 12, 2009 - 08:53

What about all the BEEF they serve?!

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