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Chick-fil-A Launches Second Solar-powered Microgrid Pilot Location in California
April 10, 2024
Innovative technology to bring greater energy efficiency to Santa Rosa restaurant
Chick-fil-A Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa, CA, is the second Chick-fil-A® restaurant to install a solar-powered microgrid system. The innovative technology, already in use at Chick-fil-A March Lane at I-5 in Stockton, is expected to reduce power costs while enabling the restaurant to support customers affected by unplanned outages in the area.
Chris Medford, the local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Mendocino Avenue, is excited to be one of the early pioneers for this initiative and has a clear vision of how alternative energy can advance
Chick-fil-A’s goal to be the world’s most caring company by helping local Owner-Operators better serve Guests.
“If you live in California, you know our power grid struggles to keep up with demand,” he says. “When we close unexpectedly, it can have a negative effect on our Team Members and our Guests, so we’re optimistic this system will alleviate stress while delivering more operational resiliency.”
Seasonally dry conditions around Santa Rosa make the area highly vulnerable to wildfires and emergency outages. This climate-friendly installation will enable the restaurant to stay open when other businesses may have to close, providing support to first responders as well as restaurant regulars.
Innovative technology to bring greater energy efficiency to Santa Rosa restaurant
Chick-fil-A Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa, CA, is the second Chick-fil-A® restaurant to install a solar-powered microgrid system. The innovative technology, already in use at Chick-fil-A March Lane at I-5 in Stockton, is expected to reduce power costs while enabling the restaurant to support customers affected by unplanned outages in the area.
Chris Medford, the local Owner-Operator of Chick-fil-A Mendocino Avenue, is excited to be one of the early pioneers for this initiative and has a clear vision of how alternative energy can advance
Chick-fil-A’s goal to be the world’s most caring company by helping local Owner-Operators better serve Guests.
“If you live in California, you know our power grid struggles to keep up with demand,” he says. “When we close unexpectedly, it can have a negative effect on our Team Members and our Guests, so we’re optimistic this system will alleviate stress while delivering more operational resiliency.”
Seasonally dry conditions around Santa Rosa make the area highly vulnerable to wildfires and emergency outages. This climate-friendly installation will enable the restaurant to stay open when other businesses may have to close, providing support to first responders as well as restaurant regulars.
Microgrid pilot is hitting all its targets
Chick-fil-A launched its solar microgrid pilot over two years ago and leaders are encouraged by how the test performed in the first restaurant location, Chick-fil-A March Lane I-5 in Stockton, CA.
“The first pilot location in Stockton hit all of our goals,” says Stephanie Armistead, a principal program lead on the sustainability team at Chick-fil-A, Inc. “It reduced the restaurant’s power costs by more than 10% while putting 38% clean energy into our portfolio. And it worked so well that the restaurant’s local Owner-Operator wasn’t always aware when she was not using traditional power.” With utility prices spiking by 70% in California over the last several years, there’s pent-up demand for what this microgrid offers, making it a win-win for both local Owner-Operators and the community.
Celebrating a bright future
Local community leaders joined Chris and members of his team on April 10 as they cut a green ribbon to celebrate the new microgrid in Santa Rosa. They enjoyed a respite from warm conditions under new solar canopies—just one of many benefits customers will experience there in the months ahead.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. also surprised Chris and local nonprofit Ceres Community Impact by making a $25,000 donation to the community organization as part of the day’s festivities.
What’s next?
The next Chick-fil-A restaurant to get the technology will be Chick-fil-A Quarry Creek in Oceanside, which is expected to activate in late 2024. Chick-fil-A will evaluate potential opportunities to scale the pilot to additional restaurants once more data can be measured —including considering the implementation of the technology as a part of new construction, if possible.
To learn more about other ways Chick-fil-A is working to show care for the planet, visit https://www.chick-fil-a.com/corporate-social-responsibility/planet.
Microgrid pilot is hitting all its targets
Chick-fil-A launched its solar microgrid pilot over two years ago and leaders are encouraged by how the test performed in the first restaurant location, Chick-fil-A March Lane I-5 in Stockton, CA.
“The first pilot location in Stockton hit all of our goals,” says Stephanie Armistead, a principal program lead on the sustainability team at Chick-fil-A, Inc. “It reduced the restaurant’s power costs by more than 10% while putting 38% clean energy into our portfolio. And it worked so well that the restaurant’s local Owner-Operator wasn’t always aware when she was not using traditional power.” With utility prices spiking by 70% in California over the last several years, there’s pent-up demand for what this microgrid offers, making it a win-win for both local Owner-Operators and the community.
Celebrating a bright future
Local community leaders joined Chris and members of his team on April 10 as they cut a green ribbon to celebrate the new microgrid in Santa Rosa. They enjoyed a respite from warm conditions under new solar canopies—just one of many benefits customers will experience there in the months ahead.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. also surprised Chris and local nonprofit Ceres Community Impact by making a $25,000 donation to the community organization as part of the day’s festivities.
What’s next?
The next Chick-fil-A restaurant to get the technology will be Chick-fil-A Quarry Creek in Oceanside, which is expected to activate in late 2024. Chick-fil-A will evaluate potential opportunities to scale the pilot to additional restaurants once more data can be measured —including considering the implementation of the technology as a part of new construction, if possible.
To learn more about other ways Chick-fil-A is working to show care for the planet, visit https://www.chick-fil-a.com/corporate-social-responsibility/planet.
