GridPoint, a leading cleantech company that decarbonizes commercial buildings and accelerates the transition to a sustainable energy future, announced an expanded partnership with Panda Express, the largest Asian dining concept in the United States. With nearly 2,500 locations and 50,000 associates, Panda Express will deploy GridPoint Intelligence to all U.S. locations during the next 18 months to optimize energy consumption, reduce energy costs and ensure that all restaurants remain at maximum temperature comfort for its guests and associates throughout varied climate conditions year-round.
“We have sought solutions that can deliver data-driven insights, automated energy efficiency and immediate savings by monitoring and controlling energy consumption within our facilities in real time and are excited to partner with GridPoint to roll out their energy management system across our store portfolio,” says James Ku, chief development officer at Panda Restaurant Group. “Optimizing our buildings in this manner frees up time and resources for our associates to continue prioritizing our core mission, which is to deliver exceptional dining experiences for our guests.”
Panda Express’ deployment of GridPoint’s smart building technology platform to all U.S. locations follows a 200-store pilot, which generated measurable energy cost savings and reduced CO2 emissions. GridPoint Intelligence automates critical building functions and actively manages energy operations within each location, and with nearly 2,500 locations across the U.S., this automation positions Panda to optimize energy usages particularly during peak periods that will impact the comfort of its guests and employees.
“GridPoint was founded 20 years ago with a vision and mission to accelerate the world’s transition to a sustainable energy future. We have long admired Panda Express’ commitment to continuous innovation and operational excellence. Panda’s selection to implement GridPoint across all its restaurants is even more meaningful because they centered this decision around what is best for their associates and guests,” says Mark Danzenbaker, CEO at GridPoint. “Maximizing energy efficiency and decarbonization in complex commercial buildings requires a technology-driven approach. We are especially proud to partner with Panda in addressing global energy goals one building, guest and associate at a time.”
For Panda Express, GridPoint Intelligence will control all in-store HVAC and lighting at all U.S. locations and provide facility managers with insight into real-time operational and environmental performance, resulting in reportable emissions offset.
Offering a full suite of asset monitoring, testing, reporting and control capabilities across a company’s entire energy profile and carbon footprint, GridPoint Intelligence leverages data analytics, patented algorithms and intelligent automation to provide visibility into complex building operations, optimize energy consumption and cost, automate decarbonization and improve resiliency. GridPoint Intelligence has been deployed in over 20,000 commercial buildings across multiple industries in North America.
