CARY, NC, October 24, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- The green McDonald's restaurant operating at 1299 Kildaire Farm Road in Cary, N.C., is only the third of its kind nationwide to be built using eco-friendly materials and technologies. Development of the restaurant began in 2007 with McDonald's Owner/Operator Ric Richards who wanted to refurbish the 25-year-old previous site building. As reconstruction options evolved, Richards said the environmental impact became clear: building a structure dedicated to sustainability would mean significant cost savings and reduced energy consumption.
"Even though the costs to build this McDonald's were higher in the near term, we knew that going forward with this green initiative we would set the stage for more savings long-term, both financially and environmentally," Richards said.
The green Cary McDonald's joins only two other locations nationwide in the McDonald's family recognized as green restaurants. The first opened in Savannah, Ga., in 2005, and the second green McDonald's opened in Chicago in 2008; both restaurants are LEED -certified.
Similar to previous green restaurant projects, the Cary location will serve as a learning lab intended to provide a better understanding on green technologies and how they may be applicable to new and existing restaurant designs.
Some of the green highlights that make this McDonald's so unique:
• Solatube Daylighting Systems, also known as tubular daylighting devices (TDDs)
• LED lighting fixtures and high-efficiency kitchen equipment
• Water-efficient restroom and kitchen fixtures
• Table and decor walls incorporating rapidly renewable materials like sunflower seed board, wheat board, bamboo and kirei board
• Building materials that feature a high recycled content
• Drought tolerant landscape plants with no permanent irrigation system
• Targeted for LEED-certification by the U.S. Green Building Council
• Educational touch-screen (Energy Efficiency Education Dashboard) in dining area informing guests about the economic and environmental benefits of the building, including local transportation information about pedestrian and bicycle paths as well as a green quiz to test users' knowledge of the restaurant
"I am most looking forward to finally opening the doors to Cary-area residents," said Richards. "We have received encouraging support from the community so far and I hope our customers are as excited about the green restaurant as I am."
Richards said that the two-year green journey was further possible from the support his team received from collaborating suppliers, including Solatube International, Cree Lighting, NovaCharge, Quality Automation Graphics, and Skanska.
About Solatube International
Solatube International Inc., based in Vista, Calif. (northern San Diego County), is the worldwide leading manufacturer and marketer of Tubular Daylighting Devices (TDDs). The company's flagship product, the Solatube Daylighting System, provides a revolutionary natural lighting solution for all types of residential and commercial applications and is the only spec-grade TDD currently available on the market. The maxim "Innovation in DaylightingTM" reflects the company's commitment to the development of breakthrough daylighting technologies, which has resulted in numerous patents dating back to the mid-1980s. Widely recognized as the industry innovator, Solatube International has earned acclaim around the globe for its unrivaled ability to transform interior spaces with the power of daylight. For more information on the Solatube Daylighting System or other products manufactured and marketed by Solatube International, including solar-powered attic ventilation fans, please visit the Solatube Web site at http://www.solatube.com or call 888-SOLATUBE (888-765-2882).
2009 McDonald's and Solatube International
CONTACT:
Cara Clinton
The McRae Agency
cara2@mcraeagency.com
858-459-1234
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