Energy Efficiency Solutions for Chicago’s Fast Food Restaurants
Apr 17 2025
The fast food industry in Chicago relies on energy efficiency solutions to cut costs and appeal to customers. With long hours, heat-generating equipment, and changing foot traffic, these locations use around 263 MBtu per square foot.
What does this mean, exactly? Commonly used to measure energy consumption, MBtu stands for “million BTUs.” The United States Energy Information Administration notes that the average household uses an average 76.8 MBtu. This drastic difference highlights the energy intensive nature of fast food restaurants.
Since 2010, Verde has been a leading force among energy efficiency experts throughout the Chicago region. They help local businesses in the food service industry operate more affordably. For fast food restaurant owners, Verde delivers customized energy efficiency solutions that don’t interrupt daily operations.
Smart Energy Upgrades for Fast Food Operations
Fast food restaurants, whether a single franchise or a multi-location chain, need energy efficiency strategies that match their speed. Verde designs solutions tailored to the nonstop demands of this industry.
LED Lighting That Does More with Less
Outdated lighting systems do more than waste electricity. They produce unnecessary heat, contributing to HVAC strain, and require constant maintenance. Often, these old lights are glass and pose a shatter risk in the food prep area. Verde helps restaurants upgrade to energy-efficient LED fixtures that reduce lighting costs, improve visibility, and last significantly longer. LED fixtures are durable and easy to clean. Because they’re made of plastic, they pose no risk to the safety and sanitation of the food prep area.
HVAC Systems Designed for Restaurants
Maintaining a comfortable environment in a fast food setting requires precision. Kitchens generate heat, front-of-house areas require consistent climate control, and drive-thru windows disrupt airflow. As experienced energy efficiency experts, Verde installs high-efficiency HVAC systems that are built specifically for this complex mix.
Upgraded systems reduce energy consumption and improve indoor air quality to maintain comfort during peak service times.
Smarter Controls with Smart Thermostats
Traditional thermostats don’t offer the control that fast food restaurants need. Verde installs advanced smart thermostats that allow for detailed temperature zoning and automated scheduling. This means less energy waste during off-hours and more consistent temperatures during peak periods without manual adjustments.
This small upgrade has a big impact. It’s one of the many energy efficiency solutions we deploy to quickly drive down energy use.
Industry-Specific Energy Challenges
Fast food restaurants are among the most energy-intensive commercial properties. In fact, they consume five to seven times more energy per square foot than other types of buildings. The round-the-clock operation of fryers, refrigeration units, grills, lighting, and HVAC systems drives up energy consumption.
Verde understands these challenges firsthand. Our solutions go beyond surface-level fixes to address core energy drains, such as:
- Walk-in refrigerators and freezers
- Ventilation systems
- Outdated lighting systems
By combining efficient equipment upgrades with smart energy management strategies, Verde helps restaurants reduce consumption. All without compromising food safety, speed of service, or kitchen performance.
Business Benefits That Go Beyond Lower Utility Bills
Restaurants that partner with Verde often see results beyond the monthly savings. LED upgrades reduce maintenance calls, HVAC improvements improve employee productivity, and smart controls empower more consistent operations.
As consumers care more about sustainability, businesses that partner with energy efficiency experts can build customer trust.
Verde’s Unique, Hands-On Approach to Energy Efficiency Solutions
What truly sets Verde apart is how we do the work, not just what we offer. Unlike many energy efficiency service providers who outsource their installations, Verde handles the process in-house. That means clients get a streamlined experience, greater accountability, and better quality control across the board.
From the initial site assessment to the final installation and utility application submission, Verde’s team manages each step. Their process is designed to minimize disruption, with installs scheduled around your hours of operation. This means you can keep serving customers while we handle all the logistics.
Maximize Incentives with ComEd Energy Efficiency Programs
One of the biggest opportunities for fast food restaurants is the ComeEd Energy Efficiency Program. This is a set of incentives designed to help Illinois businesses reduce the cost of upgrades.
As seasoned energy efficiency experts, Verde identifies which incentive program offers the most advantage for your facility. They handle the incentive program from start to finish. Additionally, they manage everything from eligibility checks to paperwork, making sure restaurants receive every available dollar.
Want to explore your incentive options? Check out our full guide to maximizing Illinois utility incentives.
Energy Efficiency Solutions Tailored to the Restaurant Industry
Fast food restaurants face some of the most energy-intensive conditions in commercial business. Freezers, fryers, high-speed ovens, and HVAC systems all run constantly. Many restaurant locations don’t have downtime for long installations.
That’s why we take a hands-on, industry-specific approach. Installations are planned around business hours and retrofits are carefully staged. We apply thoughtful understanding about your operations used to customize each solution. Because Verde keeps nearly everything in-house, restaurant owners get fast, reliable results without unnecessary handoffs.
Future-Proofing Fast Food Restaurants
Energy prices are on the rise, and sustainability is no longer a trend. It’s a necessity. Verde helps restaurants meet new industry standards. It does this by reducing carbon footprints and improving efficiency. Verde also uses incentives to make the transition more affordable. Verde helps you make your location more resilient against rising energy costs. This way, you can stay ahead in a competitive industry.
Ready To Make Your Restaurant More Efficient?
Since 2010, Verde has supported fast food restaurants throughout Chicagoland to reduce energy waste and lower operating costs. Start with a complimentary facility assessment and find out how much you could be saving. Schedule an energy efficiency consultation today!
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