Dunkin’ Donuts is leading the way when it comes to sustainability in restaurants with the launch of its DD Green certification, which helps franchisees construct the most energy-efficient buildings possible. To receive the designation, the restaurant must follow a five-stage program during the planning, design, and construction phases to address site development, store efficiency, healthy indoors, sustainable operations, and innovation and community. The company says it aims to build 100 certified restaurants by the end of 2016.
Restaurants will also be able to achieve two different certification levels: DD Green and DD Green Elite for stores that exceed minimum sustainability requirements and achieve additional green goals. Features that the restaurants will be focusing on include installing LED light fixtures, water-saving plumbing fixtures, use of zero-VOC paints, and sustainability training for employees. The new certification program was audited by UL Environment, which confirmed the potential energy and water saving potential of the program.
“We are committed to building greener restaurants, and this new program is designed to reduce our overall environmental footprint and improve operating costs for our franchisees,” says Paul Twohig, president of Dunkin’ Donuts U.S. and Canada.
