Greenlight Initiative (GLI), a U.S.-based LED-lighting sales and solutions provider, announced the successful installation of a complete LED-based lighting system for the first of a number of new Marco’s Pizza franchise restaurants across Georgia. Mellina LLC, the design builder for the Georgia projects reports this first installation has been well-received in terms of quality and energy savings, and represents the first of 80 new locations over the next 3 years to be lit entirely with GLI’s qualified LED lighting solutions.
“I was personally very surprised at how well the LED solution worked out for this installation,” says Vipul Patel, president of Mellina LLC. “We began using solid state lighting solutions in our green building projects in 2007, but bringing in the GLI team made the difference. We no longer waste resources wading through confusing claims by SSL manufacturers. Instead, we’ve tapped their expertise and they proved it on this first restaurant.”
With Greenlight Initiative’s approach, Mellina was able to replace the standard linear fluorescent fixtures with approximately one-half the number of Albeo Constellation 8-foot linear luminaires. In addition, GLI-qualified Array LED bulbs replaced the front service counter PAR lamps. Overall lighting energy was cut in half and maintenance was virtually eliminated.
“Not only did this more than replace the overall light level, but the quality and distribution was beyond what we expected,” Vipul says. “Seeing this kind of result has convinced us that LED lighting has really reached a whole new level.”
“Marco’s Pizza is the fastest growing pizza company because of excellent food, recipes, and ingredients. The counter-ordering model reflects Marco’s image as soon as the customer enters, and LED lighting was the right choice,” says Ronn Moore, Marco’s franchise representative. “The prep counter area can be fully lit with four fixtures instead of the normal eight, the quality enhancement is noticeable, and the 50 percent energy savings is valuable as Marco’s expands.”
According to GLI sales director Richard Burton, the result wasn’t an accident.
“The addition of Albeo Technologies and Array Lighting to Greenlight’s qualified lines was based on thorough product and company vetting and testing program,” he says. “With that exhaustive effort, it really doesn’t come as a surprise when our clients comment on the ‘wow factor’ that a quality solid state lighting solution can bring to the table. Mellina [was] implementing ‘green’ building projects before ‘green’ was cool, and we believe they will continue to set a high standard of environmental responsibility which will carry-over to clients’ projects across the Southeast.”
