The way that quick-service restaurants (QSRs) approach sustainability is quickly evolving, and in 2024 leading brands have embraced exciting new projects with the goal of lowering their negative impact on the environment. There has been a growing imperative for QSRs to make their operations greener, and doing so has become widely regarded as a best business practice that ultimately helps boost profits.  

As you begin planning for 2025, take a look at these innovative strategies for QSR sustainability from the past year to inspire how you can reduce your emissions, lowers costs, and help the planet.  

Tackling water waste. 

Water used in hospitality and food service establishments constitutes about 15% of total water use in commercial and institutional settings, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Within this usage, a lot of water is wasted, and in 2024 QSRs have begun to take that waste seriously for both environmental and—as water rates rise— financial reasons.  

Budderfly added water conservation solutions to its portfolio in 2024, and began helping its QSR customers lower their water usage and costs with much success.  

Sonic owner Spencer Hart said, “Budderfly's expertise in energy management, now applied to water management, allows me to achieve additional savings I've come to rely on. This expansion is a win-win for our operations and our sustainability goals.” 

Energy management partnerships to lower emissions.  

Reducing carbon emissions is one of the most impactful ways a QSR can improve its sustainability. QSRs are energy-intensive operations, using significantly more energy per square foot than a typical business location. In 2024, many QSR owners and franchisees have forged strategic partnerships with energy management providers like Budderfly to upgrade their facilities with new equipment and technologies that improve efficiency, eliminate waste, and reduce energy consumption.  

Craveworthy Brands, for example, launched a corporate partnership with Budderfly to accelerate the sustainability of its corporate and franchise-owned restaurants across the U.S. 

Leveling up sustainable packaging.  

One of the most valuable things QSRs offer their customers is convenience, and in recent years QSR brands have been grappling with how they can make their packaging eco-friendlier without jeopardizing the customer experience. In 2024, a few large QSR and fast casual brands announced new packaging solutions.  

McDonald’s announced new sustainable packaging for its popular McFlurry dessert, to reduce waste and contribute to McDonald’s goal of sourcing 100% of primary guest packaging from renewable, recycled or certified materials by the end of 2025. Starbucks announced that it will now allow customers to bring personal cups to the cafe chain, encouraging reusable cups to lower the number of single-use products. 

Plus, brands embraced recycling initiatives to reduce packaging waste. Taco Bell expanded its Terra Cycle program to reduce waste and Pizza Hut launched a campaign to raise awareness among consumers that pizza boxes can be recycled.  

Incorporating renewable energy sources. 

Renewable energy is a green alternative to fossil fuels that lowers harmful carbon emissions. It also lowers reliance on the grid and avoids the growing, often volatile pricing of traditional energy sources. In 2024, more and more QSRs have started to take advantage of all the benefits of renewables.  

Wendy’s announced a new commitment to making it easier for its franchisees to access solar energy. Starbucks added EV charging stations to more than 100 locations, among other sustainability efforts. Budderfly acquired Sunverge’s DERMS platform, which will enable the company to help its thousands of QSR customers level up their renewable energy efforts. By installing battery storage, behind-the-meter solar generation, and EV charging infrastructure, Budderfly will enroll customers’ sites into a virtual power plant program that will reduce energy costs and help sustainability for QSRs across the country. 

These are some of the most exciting ways QSRs are approaching sustainability in 2024. Incorporating these strategies pays off: they make customers and investors happy, they boost your bottom line, and they help slow the rate of climate change. If you want to learn more about how you can elevate your QSR locations’ sustainability with scalable solutions for energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy, and more—with no capital required—contact Budderfly today and chat with one of our energy experts.