Arby's Reaches 11 Percent Energy Reduction Since 2011, On Way to Achieving 15 Percent Reduction Goal by End of 2015

Arby's Joins U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge and Names Remodeled Atlanta Flagship Restaurant as "Showcase Project"

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Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc.

May 21, 2015, 12:14 ET

ATLANTA, May 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. (ARG), franchisor of the Arby's® brand, today announced that it has reached 11 percent total energy reduction per company-owned restaurant since 2011, paving the way to a goal of 15 percent energy reduction by the end of 2015. The announcement comes following a 2014 reported reduction of 3.3 percent in average year-over-year energy consumption per company-owned restaurant.

The interior of Arby's new "Inspire" restaurant design.

The savings are a result of Arby's Efficiency Matters program, launched by the brand in 2012 to improve efficiencies in restaurants and reduce energy consumption and associated environmental and community impacts. Efficiency Matters recently received a Top Project of the Year Award in the Environmental Leader Product & Project Awards.

"Last year, we exhibited our commitment to energy efficiency with savings across the board," said Paul Brown, CEO of Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. "But there's still room for improvement in both company-owned and franchise restaurants. We will continue to work with our energy efficiency partners to find more ways to reduce consumption to meet and surpass the goals set when we launched the Arby's Efficiency Matters program."

The energy consumption savings realized by ARG in 2014 included a 5.5 percent year-over-year reduction in electricity consumption per company-owned restaurant and a 0.6 percent year-over-year drop in natural gas consumption. In addition to energy savings, costs have also been impacted. Since 2011, ARG has recorded a 10 percent reduction in total energy costs per company-owned restaurant as a result of electricity and natural gas savings.

ARG's energy efficiency partners, including Ecova and Powerhouse Dynamics, have been instrumental in helping the Arby's brand realize these cost and energy savings. The sustainability efforts are a key component in Arby's Corporate Social Responsibility strategy to be a "ResourceFULL™" corporate citizen.

Better Buildings Challenge

In an effort to further showcase good stewardship in the energy efficiency space and extend the company's savings goal, Arby's recently joined the U.S. Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge, a commitment to make the entire company-owned portfolio of buildings (2.7 million square feet) 20 percent more efficient by 2020. As part of the program, Arby's will work with the Department of Energy to share successful efficiency models and help pave the way for other organizations to follow. The company's flagship hometown restaurant at 1751 Howell Mill Rd. NW in Atlanta was recently declared the Better Buildings Challenge "showcase project," as it is a model of energy savings and demonstrates what is possible for energy efficiency in Arby's sector of the marketplace. The restaurant was recently remodeled to feature Arby's new "Inspire" design.

More than 250 organizations are partnering with the Department of Energy to achieve 20 percent portfolio-wide energy savings and share successful strategies that maximize efficiency over the next decade.

About Arby's

Arby's, founded in 1964, is the first nationally franchised sandwich restaurant brand, with more than 3,300 restaurants worldwide. The Arby's brand purpose is "Inspiring Smiles Through Delicious Experiences™." Arby's delivers on its purpose by celebrating the art of Meatcraft™ with a variety of high-quality proteins paired with crave-able sides, such as Curly Fries and Jamocha shakes. Arby's^® restaurants feature Fast Crafted™ service, a unique blend of quick-serve speed and value combined with the quality and made-for-you care of fast casual. Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. is the franchisor of the Arby's Brand and is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. Visit Arbys.com for more information or socially connect with Arby's at: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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SOURCE Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc.