KFC, the popular fast food chain, has recently debuted a new solar drive-thru canopy at a location in California. This innovative new feature is not only environmentally friendly but also helps to reduce energy costs for the restaurant.

This new solar drive-thru canopy is just the latest in a series of environmentally friendly initiatives that KFC has undertaken. The company has also installed solar panels on the roof of several of its stores, in order to generate electricity for the entire restaurant.

“We needed a canopy over our drive-thru to protect our team members taking orders outside of the building. When we compared the costs of a typical canopy to the costs and value of Integrate Solar’s canopy, the decision to go solar was a no-brainer,” says Justin Stewart, co-owner of the Stewart Restaurant Group.

The 72-foot  Solar Integrated canopy is designed in partnership with Stewart Restaurant Group. The same is equipped with 57 solar panels and will produce 1.2 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy over the system’s lifetime. In the very first year of its installation, the store will nearly $11,000 in its energy bills.

The solar canopy solution designed specifically for Quick Serve Restaurant drive-thru also shields employees from the sun and rain when serving customers. The energy generated by the panels will be used to power the drive-thru speakers, lights, and other equipment. According to KFC, the solar drive-thru canopy is able to generate enough electricity to power the drive-thru lane for an entire day.

“As California’s electricity rates continue to rise, fast food restaurants have looked for ways to lower their energy bills, but have never found their small, equipment-filled rooftops viable options for solar,” Integrate Solar co-founder Kevin Benefiel said in a statement. “This solution solves that problem and helps improve a store’s operations overnight.”

KFC’s solar-powered drive-thru is not only good for the environment, but it’s also good for business. By generating their own electricity, KFC is able to save money on their energy bills. This not only helps to increase the company’s bottom line, but it also allows them to pass on the savings to their customers in the form of lower prices.

KFC’s commitment to sustainability is not limited to just the United States, they are also implementing similar measures in other countries. In the Philippines, KFC has unveiled solar power stores, where all the restaurant’s energy needs are met by solar power. And in India, a KFC restaurant in Chennai has installed a large number of solar panels to meet their energy needs, making it one of the most sustainable restaurants in the country.

Overall, KFC’s solar drive-thru canopy and other sustainable initiatives demonstrate the company’s commitment to protecting the environment and reducing its carbon footprint. By investing in renewable energy and implementing energy-efficient measures, KFC is helping to pave the way for a more sustainable future for all.