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While the newest KFC in Indianapolis features the brand’s familiar red-and-white design scheme, it’s the color green that is really going to have people talking. The new KFC at 6154 North Keystone Avenue was designed with the planet in mind, and it features design advances in the areas of energy efficiency, community connections, water conservation and sensible materials. The restaurant, located across from Glendale Mall, opened for business April 26.
“This new KFC Green restaurant is part of our E3 initiative, which looks at Economically responsible ways of saving Energy and being Environmentally aware,” says Roger McClendon, chief sustainability officer for Yum! Brands Inc., parent company of KFC Corporation. “KFC has a responsibility to our customers, employees and shareholders to be forward thinking and intentional in our environmental sustainability vision. This project is part of our global environmental stewardship efforts.”
The building is designed to use 25 percent less energy and water than a conventional KFC restaurant. It features energy-efficient cooking equipment, low-power, long-life LED lighting, locally sourced building materials, parking preference for hybrid vehicles, fixtures designed for lower water use, waste recycling (including cooking oil and plastics), and many other green innovations.
“We are very proud of this restaurant, which is a tangible example of the work we are doing to reach our goal of reducing our environmental impact, while serving the food our consumers love,” McClendon says. “This is one step along our path toward designing and building greener restaurants and we’ll be using it as a ‘test lab’ to evaluate the performance of technologies and processes. What we learn at the Indianapolis restaurant could potentially impact the design of future buildings worldwide.”
“Transforming Indianapolis into one of the most sustainable cities in the Midwest takes strong partners. KFC is one of those partners,” says Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard. “I am proud to see this new KFC location open. They are to be commended for their focus on sustainability.”
The debut of the Indianapolis KFC follows the opening of a KFC/Taco Bell restaurant in Northampton, Massachusetts, which was LEED Gold certified in 2009. KFC will be seeking LEED certification for the Indianapolis restaurant as well.
KFC made other environmental news recently when the brand introduced fast food’s first consumer-reusable container at restaurants coast to coast last year. The side item container was honored with a 2010 Greener Package Award.
