Pizza Hut UKBEMS Case Study

aimteq.co.uk

aimteq.co.uk

Aimteq help Pizza Hut ‘slice’ their restaurant energy consumption by 15%.The installation by Aimteq of WEMS wireless BEMS at 60 Pizza Hut Restaurants across the UK has led to a significant reduction in energy consumption.

At the first 51 stores installing this

advanced technology, the average

reduction in energy consumption has

been calculated at 15% (1,259,629

kWh), equating to a financial saving of

over £125,000. Pizza Hut Restaurants,

which plans to fit all of its UK restaurants

with the technology, says it will reinvest

the savings accrued into further energy-

based initiatives.

The process to embrace better energy

management started in 2012 when

a change of ownership prompted

new investment in the restaurants.

As a business, the company became

aware that considerable savings

could be achieved by installing BEMS

technology, and put in place a plan to

upgrade all of its restaurants.

‘As a business, the company became aware that considerable savings could be achieved by installing BEMS technology, and put in place a plan to upgrade all of its restaurants.’

aimteq.co.uk

Selection process“In the first instance we undertook

thorough research into the best

solution, including contacting peers

from the Restaurant Managers Energy

Forum,” says Alex Wells, Energy

Manager at Pizza Hut Restaurants.

“Another major restaurant chain

recommended WEMS technology,

saying it had benefitted their business.”

Determined to make a comprehensive

assessment of potential solutions, the

company undertook a tender process

and performed a pilot study at three

restaurants, using various different

companies. Aimteq won the contract for

a trio of principal reasons.

“Firstly, the value for money and long-

term savings offered by using wireless

technology from WEMS made for

a very attractive proposal,” says Ms

Wells. “Furthermore, Aimteq’s bureau/

helpdesk service offers fantastic

customer service, and importantly,

operates 24/7; longer than any of the

bureau services we researched. Our

restaurants are open until 23:00 and

they need the helpdesk to be open to

deal with any issues. Another reason for

selecting Aimteq was the robust nature

of the technology.”

“Firstly, the value for money and long-term savings offered by using wireless technology from WEMS made for a very attractive proposal.”

Alex Wells, Energy Manager

“Furthermore, the bureau/helpdesk service offers fantastic customer service, and importantly, is operates 24/7; longer than any of the bureau services we researched.”

Alex Wells, Energy Manager

aimteq.co.uk

The front end of the BEMS installed

at each Pizza Hut restaurant is

completely controlled by the Aimteq

bureau service. However, staff

can ring the helpdesk if they want

something changed, which takes place

immediately.

“The bureau service is excellent –

great communication,” confirms Ms

Wells. “You get through to a real

person straight away and changes are

made quickly, although there is an

override button that staff can use for

emergencies.”

The wireless BEMS controls a number

of energy-using assets to help reduce

bills. For instance, when the restaurant

is shut, external lighting is kept off, but

between 06:00 and 23:00, there is a

light level sensor which detects the

external lux level. If the light level falls

by a pre-agreed percentage (in this

case, 45%), the lights come on.

Internal lighting, which is split into ‘stock

and trade’, is also being controlled more

efficiently. Before WEMS technology

was installed, the lights were switched

on using a key switch when staff arrived

in the morning, and left on 100% of the

time. Now, staff still turn on the lighting

with the key switch, but the system is

programmed to keep non-essential

lighting (such as decorative and feature

lighting) off until the restaurant opens

for business at 11:00.

“You get through to a real person straight away and changes are made quickly, although there is an override button that staff can use for emergencies..”

Alex Wells, Energy Manager

Constant monitoring

Bureau service

Wireless sensors are deployed to

ensure the air conditioning keeps each

Pizza Hut restaurant at a consistent

temperature of 21/22°C, and that the

system is turned off when not required.

Over-door heaters are also monitored

by sensors based on the outside air

temperature.

Even the pizza ovens and fryers are

monitored by the BEMS. Before

adopting WEMS technology, staff

would arrive in the morning and turn

everything on, whereas now the system

keeps the catering equipment off until

staff are due to start cooking at 10:00.

The buffet and salad bar are also on a

time programme.

Despite the amount of control imparted,

the installation process proved

exceptionally straightforward, as Darren

Blower, Project Manager at Aimteq,

explains: “As the technology is wireless,

it allows for quicker installation – up to

40% faster than traditional wired BEMS –

and there is less disruption. This means

we can work inside of trading hours if

necessary without affecting customers

or staff as it is all done back of house.

There is no pulling of cables or ceilings

to cross, so wireless technology can

even be installed after a restaurant has

been refitted if necessary.”

Complete programme plannedTo date, Aimteq has installed WEMS BEMS at 60 Pizza Hut restaurants. The company has 270 restaurants in the UK and would like to complete another 35 per year for the next four years.

Pizza Hut Restaurants has been

investing heavily in its restaurant

facilities over recent years, offering

expanded starter and mains ranges, and

even a cocktail bar service. In theory, the

company should be consuming more

energy, but actually, thanks to wireless

BEMS technology, it is becoming more

efficient.

Looking for help with restaurant energy efficiency?If you’d like help with your energy

efficiency, or are looking to install a

BEMS, we can help.

Call 0161 475 1777 for a friendly chat,

or visit aimteq.co.uk

“As the technology is wireless, it allows for quicker installation – up to 40% faster than traditional wired BEMS – and there is less disruption. This means we can work inside of trading hours if necessary without affecting customers”

Darren Blower, Project Manager

aimteq.co.uk

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t 0161 475 1777

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