Some consider restaurant utility and operational costs to be a foregone conclusion.  But restaurant owners have more control over costs than they think. All restaurant owners can adopt measures for minimizing the energy consumption of their establishment and reducing related costs.

Highly effective restaurant cost control is achieved when restaurant owners, managers, and employees work together in creating a culture of energy efficiency throughout the restaurant. Here are a few tips that restaurant employees can do to help manage energy usage.

Control Restaurant Energy Consumption with Maintenance

Maintenance and repairs can help restaurant owners dramatically reduce their energy costs. Employees should be mindful of checking restaurant equipment such as fryers, ovens, and refrigerators to ensure they are working properly and are energy efficient. Faulty equipment resulting from a lack of maintenance or outdated technology can cause restaurant energy bills to skyrocket.

Employees should also be aware of the restaurant’s lighting system. Ensuring lights are turned off when not needed is an easy way to save on electricity bills. They should also check if any lights need replacing with more energy-efficient lamps or bulbs that use less energy.

Finally, employees should inspect the seals around windows and doors for tightness since air leakage can make a restaurant’s heating or cooling system work harder than necessary.

By taking these steps, restaurant employees can help restaurant owners control their energy costs and ensure their restaurant is as energy efficient as possible.

Ultimately, restaurant cost control requires collaboration between restaurant owners, managers, and employees. When restaurant teams make an effort to reduce their energy consumption together, they will create a culture of energy efficiency that will benefit the restaurant in terms of both utility costs and customer satisfaction.

Energy-Efficient Restaurant Models

There are restaurant models that restaurant owners can use to reduce their energy costs.

One model is the “smart restaurant” model, which uses motion sensors throughout the restaurant and turns off lights when no one is present. This model also incorporates energy-efficient lighting systems which turn on dimmers at certain times of day or night. Additionally, this approach utilizes automated air ventilation systems that adjust according to outside temperature and humidity levels.

Another popular restaurant energy-saving model is the “closed kitchen” concept, where most of the cooking equipment is located in a separate room with controlled temperature and ventilation settings. This helps restaurant kitchens save energy because it reduces heat loss from open flames and venting systems. In addition, closed kitchen designs often feature energy-efficient equipment such as induction cooktops, which reduce the restaurant’s energy consumption.

By implementing restaurant models that focus on efficiency and reducing restaurant energy consumption, restaurant employees can help their restaurant owners save money while increasing customer satisfaction.

Restaurant Savings on Consumption with GSE

Fully relying on employees to impact your bottom line, however, likely isn’t wise in the long run. Owners and franchisees want effective, long-lasting change. That’s where GSE Pro can help to truly develop your locations into energy-efficient restaurants.

GSE Pro is a restaurant and commercial energy management company that can help restaurant owners reduce their energy costs while also increasing restaurant efficiency.

Using GSE Pro’s help, restaurant owners can track and monitor total restaurant energy consumption and set alert notifications to notify them of any potential problems with equipment or overspending. Additionally, GSE helps restaurant owners optimize their restaurant’s lighting systems by scheduling dimmable lights depending on the time of day or night. This feature allows restaurant owners to save money on electricity bills without sacrificing customer satisfaction.

GSE Pro is an essential partner for restaurant cost control, as it provides restaurant owners with visibility into the areas where they could be saving the most money. With our help, restaurant employees can work together to improve energy management for the long term.

Our service options include real-time reporting from 24/7 call centers, lighting management, refrigeration controls, equipment maintenance tracking, gas management, kitchen equipment monitoring, utility expenses, and more.

Saving the Earth, One Restaurant At A Time

The restaurant industry has the potential to directly impact the environment around them by taking these energy-efficiency measures.  Restaurants can reduce their energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, and other pollutants by more than 30%, making a real difference in the restaurant industry’s environmental impact.

Employees play a critical role in restaurant cost control initiatives. By collaborating with restaurant owners and managers to implement these energy-efficient practices, restaurant employees can help ensure that their restaurant is running in an energy-efficient and cost-effective manner. With everyone on board, restaurant owners can save money while also taking a significant step towards preserving the planet for future generations.

Contact us today to learn more.